Argos Charging Coaches to Attend Session

Remember when the Toronto Argonauts made all that fuss a few weeks ago, trying to take complete credit too, about how great they are in reviving teams at several Toronto public high schools?

Well, the fact is others in the community had contributed to the success of these same schools - and several more long before the Argos decided to get involved.

This is the same professional organization that introduced their own Toronto high school football all-star team last year but, much to their embarrassment, didn't include the Toronto private schools. Yes, St. Michael's, for example, won the past three Metro Bowl championships.

The Argos, trying to get much-needed attention from a dwindling student market who are focused more on the NFL and the Buffalo Bills, went as far as to mention how they will offer clinics -- leading many people to assume that they would be at no charge. Well, not so.

The CFL team will use legendary and 79-year-old Leo Cahill as the guest speaker for a Friday, Oct. 16 coaching symposium. But, there is a hook and some coaches have told me they think it's shabby that the Argos are charging.

Indeed, it’s $50 for the session that starts around 6:15 p.m. and ends about one hour later -- just in time for, yes, their league game. The Argos are also assuming the people attending the session decide to stick around and watch.

Get this, with the help of OFSAA, they're also appealing to coaches to bring friends and family at $40 per person. So, either the clinic is worth $10 and they're charging the rest for the seats to the game or Cahill and Co. are the prize for $50 -- and the game is free.

Judging by the way the Argos have been playing lately, I wonder if it's a good idea to listen to their football strategies and more. If the Argos played this right, they would seriously consider waiving the fee and opening the doors to all amateur football coaches and run a full-day professional development program during the off-season. That way, they could also bring in some top-notch people from both sides of the border.

I find it hard to believe the Argos are charging because they need the money. Maybe, they're doing this now to help fill the empty seats.

Comments

[WT]

Arrrggooss....and people wonder why they're a last place team with a shabby organization and in a city that would welcome the Bills in a jiffy.

[Tony Miller]

If there was some value to this, like some creative new ideas, I'd pay the money and go. Looks more like a cash grab for the Argos who should know better.

[JM]

If this is this the best the Argos can do offerin up Leo Cahill, then it explains the mess that team is in.

[Billy Craig]

My school never even got any notice of this happening. I'm disappointed that the Argos are charging and can't come up with anything more creative and current. I am also frustrated that the Star is wasting time even devoting any attention to this ridiculous thing by the Boatmen. Maybe they should just pull out an Argo playbook and some film from the 1980s.

[Mr. Lynch]

I agree that the Argos should charge. But then should donate it all back to those teams starting programs.

[Dober]

Sure hope they aren't charging to watch the that team play. If so, they should throw in free beer so people will forget they were even there. What a pathetic record this year.

[J Phillips]

Just read on the Canadian university website that York and Toronto are playing this Saturday. Both teams haven't won this year. Guess what the winner gets. The Argo Cup. Do I have to say anymore.

[Memphis]

What a joke! Leo who? How about bringing in a speaker that can relate to the 1990s at least! Leo hasn't been around for 25+ years! The Argos expect High School coaches to pay $50 to hear Leo speak? Why is it every time the Argos want to get involved they dig deep into the past and pull out some old fossil that no one under the age of 50 even remembers? For $50 how about a Holtz, Davie, Levy or even Turner Gill. The Argos are a second rate team in a Semi-Pro League.

[tdsb coach]

Just another case of trying to squeeze every buck out of their supporters.....

The argos USED to have a 'grassroots football liaison' position, and little kids' teams from across the GTA were invited to play before games and during halftime. Parents had to 'buy' tickets for the cost of the taxes (about $5 per parent/friend/etc) and the players got a free ticket.....

This year, the Argos were Kids community football approaching teams with the 'same' deal - except you now had to promise to buy a certain number of tickets, at about $20 each.

When the Bills are helping to rent Rogers CTR for toronto area high school bowl games, and when the NCAA's International Bowl is including a GTA All-Star game on the Friday (and every player gets two free tickets to that Bowl game as well) of that weekend, both FREE OF CHARGE TO KIDS -

Why cant the Argos do the same?

BOO.

They wonder why so many seats sit empty.

Did they even HAVE a 'leo cahill award' presentation to a local high school coach this year? Last year?

I can tell you I, as a high school coach, wont be shelling out to the Argos for a ticket - my PD money would be better spent on a couple DVDs or books.

[Timothy Egan]

That's great. The Argos are going to teach us how to lose - like what'll happen to them Saturday against Montreal. Double digits in the loss column - and they're instructing coaches. Makes real sense.

[Chris Small]

How about reversing the session and getting high school coaches to teach the Argos.

[Gibby]

This must be a hoax. The Argos looking to scam people. The best the Argos can do is bring Cahill back repeating the same horsecrap he's muttered for years. There are high school teachers, some who are former players and game officials, who know more. I can just see the Argos getting steamed when the Bills show and they should. It's like night and day. Good night Argos.

[Bobo]

I am very surprised that OFSAA would be tooting the horn on its website for something like this. Just confirms to me that its as bad an organization as the Argos. Why doesn't OFSAA show a flash of brilliance and offer something creative to coaches and teachers on professional development days. And people wonder why we're so far behind others in this country and the U.S.

[B Garrick]

Surely to goodness the Argos could put some thought in to creating an opportunity to try build some credibility rather than show how futile they really are. And the Toronto school board should be embarrassed at getting sucked in to this but they're famous for thrfowing mud on their face. I thought Chris Spence was going to shake some things up or his already caught in the ole boys club and politics.

[Warren]

The Argos and the Toronto school board must think we're one group of stupid and idiotic coaches to rush up and pay and then to say "I was at the Argos clinic and learned from Leo". Really, people, get a life.

[Kelly]

Reading all this I wonder how many people would complain if the Argos did nothing or decided to pull out. But I also see the other side and have to shake my head wondering is this the best they can do and also charge. Like, do they really think hundreds will flock to this? Even sadder, if they do, we know why the state of football is the way it is.

[KPM]

Have a spare between teaching and heard about this chatter going on. Find it fascinating. Maybe the two special Argos alumni are.........former U of T and York players.
Now, that's really worth lining up for.
Three teams in this city with three wins among them in 20 games. Stop laughing.

[McGray]

Rename this so-called professional symposium: Argo tips to coaches on how to lose - we do it so well and consistently.

[MacIsaac]

Someone should let the Argos know about this site. Then again, someone will have to read it to them and explain what is on it. They likely already know but don't care. What else is new. Sounds nasty, and I apologize, but this piece by Grossman has really hit a nerve with me. I also agree with him.

[Pissed Coach]

This really pisses me off. I told my Principal that this would be good for our school but no one told me Cahill was the speaker and how much do you gain from an hour. Maybe there's a quiz to see how much of what Cahill says is what the Argos use. I know the answer. I thought this was a good thing but didn't really do my homework and don't know who gets the index finger first - the Argos or my board of education for arranging this garbage.

[L. Kennedy]

I see no problem getting the Argos involved with high school football. But let's make it productive, inclusive and creative. The school board seems to be infatuated because "the Argos" have called. I am a taxpayer concerned about my kids and others. Lets focus on kids more than Board personal egos and glory.

[Name withheld]

The issue here is having people provide informative discussions and dialogue in a cohesive manner with football coaches. That's fine. Although, as a high school coach and a former player in the CFL, I think Cahill is a nice guy but he brings nothing fresh to the system. I hold the Toronto school board at fault for letting the Argos dictate what the schools should be doing. It's fairly obvious the Argos tried to show off how wonderful they are and not being all inclusive to others who care about school football.

[Bills Booster]

After the way the Argos played against the Als, you better get me four front row seats to listen to Leo Cahill tell us how we can be so successful - just like the Argos. They're dismal and so is everyone else going to this. People give your heads a shake if you're thinking of going.