C.F.L.P.A. announces Morreale to replace Laird as President

Barbados, W.I. (May 2, 2012) – The members of the Board of Directors for the Canadian Football League Players’ Association are pleased to announce that, at their annual general meeting in Barbados, W.I. yesterday a new Executive Committee was elected. The Player Representatives elected Director of Marketing for Pro Players, Mike Morreale as the new President of the C.F.L.P.A.

Mike brings with him over 12 years’ experience as a Player Representative, member of the Executive Committee and Director of Marketing for Pro Players and a proven track record in both marketing and business development. The strength and determination that enabled him to enjoy a very successful 12 years in C.F.L., where the average career is 3.2 years long combined with his passion and love for both the game and it’s players will help ensure that the successes the Union has achieved will continue to build and grow.

“I am very proud to have been given the honour and privilege of being elected President of the C.F.L.P.A.’ stated Mike. This is the opportunity of a lifetime and I’m looking forward to the new and exciting challenges that come with it.

I would like to thank Stu Laird for the years of dedication and service to the C.F.L.P.A. The unselfish sacrifices made by his family over the past 13 years enabled him to be not only be one of the biggest advocates of the Players but to also be a major part of the tremendous successes and growth the P.A. has achieved. On behalf of myself, the Executive Committee, Board of Representatives and all Players both current and retired we thank him and are deeply indebted to him” Mike further stated.

Stu has been invited to remain on the Executive Committee as Past President and will take some time off to consider this.

The other member of the Executive re-elected are:

1st Vice President Jay McNeil

2nd Vice President Scott Flory

3rd Vice President Marwan Hage

Please find below a statement from CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon on the election of Mike Morreale as President of the Canadian Football League Players Association:

“On behalf of our Board of Governors, I want to congratulate Mike Morreale on his election as President of the Canadian Football League Players Association.

Mike is a passionate advocate of our game and we look forward to working with him, the association’s entire Executive Committee and all of our players on a range of important issues, including the health and safety of the superb athletes and fine young men who wear our colours.

I also want to congratulate Stu Laird on his dedication to the CFLPA. His commitment to a positive working relationship with the league was integral to many advances for the CFL and its players, including the introduction of a fair and forward thinking drug policy designed to safeguard the well being of our athletes as well as the integrity of our competition.

We look forward to building upon the strong foundation we have forged together in the years ahead.”