CJFL: Braves, Samples ready for opener

Still, the coaching staff is looking forward to the match to see how the Braves will measure up against this perennial strength.  Samples moved from Defensive line and forwards coach last year to head coach for 2012. He is supported by a roster of experienced coaches who have demonstrated success on the field :

Matt Garner –  Assistant Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator
Jerry Philip – Defensive Coordinator
Richard Rebiere – Wide Receivers Coach
Jack Lumsden – Running Backs & Special Teams
Mike Solanki – Line Backers
John Sutton – Offensive Line Coach, Special Teams
Mike Macdonald – Offensive Line Consultant
Rick Petch – Team Manager
Neil Lumsden – Scouting & Player Personnel

Guest Coaches
Ben Britton – Defensive Line Coach
Chris MacArthur – Receivers Coach
Dan Brannigan Sr – Quarterback Coach
Don Edwards – Offensive Line Coach

Lumsden’s role has been critical this year as the team had 13 players, five on offense and eight on defense did not return this year.

The defensive line is all new, however the offensive line will be anchored by proven veterans: Paul Katsetos, Jamie Dionne, and Patrick Janik and reinforced by Tom Stirling, a local player with CIS experience at McMaster.

The Braves have other McMaster talent on board, Mack Blewett is a strong anchor at quarterback and he has a strong roster of receivers to go the distance. Addison Marks, an MM Robinson who also played at McMaster last year, will be joining the team as well.

“We are happy to have more Burlington athletes on the team.“ said Braves president, Larry Irish, a former Braves player himself.

The Blewett will have lots of options with talented and physical running backs to work with the offense. The team is excited about the season ahead. The defense will be tested for the first time this week-end. With some quick, smart and physical defensive backs added to the MVP Luke Pearsall an OFC All Star receiver in 2011 and linebacker Richard Beckstead who put up some excellent performances last season.

“We are looking forward to seeing what this new defense can do in game situations.” says Samples.

Date    Time    Home    Away    Location
1    Sat., Aug. 11    4 p.m.    Hamilton Hurricanes    Burlington Braves    Ivor Wynn Stadium

2    Sat., Aug. 18    7 p.m.    Burlington Braves    Twin City Predators    Nelson Stadium

3    Sat., Aug. 25    7 p.m.    Burlington Braves    London Beefeaters    Nelson Stadium

4    Fri., Aug. 31    8 p.m.    Brampton Bears    Burlington Braves    Ching Park

5    Sat., Sept. 8    7 p.m.    Burlington Braves    St. Leonard Cougars    Nelson Stadium

6    Sat., Sept. 15    3 p.m.    Windsor AKO    Burlington Braves    Windsor Stadium

7    Sat. Sept. 22    7 p.m.    Burlington Braves    Hamilton Hurricanes    Nelson Stadium

8    Sat. Sept. 29    4 p.m.    Ottawa Sooners    Burlington Braves    Keith Harris Field

The Burlington Braves were formed by a group of local businessmen in 1958. When Hamilton Ti Cat great, Bernie Custis moved to head coach in 1965 he created a passion for excellence which is the legacy perpetuated by the alumni of players, coaches and board members. The team and its alumni have been well decorated over the years as a result of the passion for excellence that is in the fibre cornerstone of the team, although the national championship has thus far eluded the team.

MIKE SAMPLES
HEAD COACH
The Burlington Braves Football Club & Alumni along with the BMFA are extremely pleased to have as their New Head Coach, former CFL Great Mike Samples. Mike Samples is the 22nd Head Coach in The Braves illustrious 54 year history.
Mike Samples played college ball at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa and was selected to the Kodak Division 1 All American Team.  Mike was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL in 1973. Once he was released by the Falcons, Samples came to the CFL and played 11 years from 1973 to 1983.  Samples’ started his CFL career with the BC Lions in 1973,  and was moved to Hamilton where he played four and a part seasons with the Tiger-Cats from 1974 to 1978.  In 1976 Samples earned a spot on the CFL East All-Star Team at Defensive End. Samples joined the Saskatchewan Roughriders part way through the 1978 season and remained with the green Riders until retiring at the end of 1983 .
Samples also was selected for two Western CFL All-Star selections at 1981 and 1982, as well a CFL All-Star and Defensive Player of The Year in 1981.  Samples’ is also honoured to have been selected a part of The Saskatchewan Roughrider 100 Players of All Time List.
After retiring as a player, Samples served as a Defensive Line coach with the Saskatchewan from 1983 to 1985 and again in 1987.  Samples was also the Special Teams Coordinator during this period.
In 1988, Samples returned to Hamilton and first coached in the Hamilton Minor Football League. From 2008 to 2010 Mike was the Defensive Line Coach on the Championship teams of the Burlington Varsity Stampeders and at Notre Dame High School Fighting Irish. As well, Samples was a guest coach of John Hufnagels, at the Calgary Stampeders Training Camp in 2010. Most recently, Mike served as the Defensive coordinator of the Braves in 2011.
Since 1988, Mike Samples has been employed by CHCH TV Hamilton as an Advertising Sales Executive. Mike and his with Janet reside in Ancaster, Ontario.

The History Of The Burlington Braves Football Club

The Burlington Braves organization came into existence in 1958 as the result of the efforts of a number of dedicated local businessmen. The original executive and support staff consisted of President: William Hourigan, Vice President: Frank Frieday, Treasurer and Team Manager: Al Lambert, Recording Secretary: Agnes Jones, Art cCready, Ray Jones, John Wiseman, Don Campbell, Chas O’Meara, Dr, Kenny, G. Adamson, Ross Sanderson, Jim Bonner, Bill Davidson, Head Coach: Dick Brown. Director Harry Lunn was also an Assistant Coach the first year. This group was later joined by Bill Rupka. Over the years the executive has changed with some joining and others leaving. Ken Allen, William Cutler, Stew MacDonald, Lou Mattiacci, Dan Higgins, Lou Ryan, Doug Spencer, Jim Cheyne, Jim Bradley and Larry Irish are just a few that have made an impact on the clubs decisions and direction over the years.
In 1958 and 59 the Braves played in the Ontario Rugby Football Union (ORFU) but in 1960 under Head Coach Bobby Dawson they moved to a more local league, the Ontario Football Conference (OFC) The OFC is now affiliated with the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL)
During the early years the Braves struggled hard to establish themselves. It was in 1965 when former Hamilton Tiger Cat Great Bernie Custis took over as Head Coach that the fortunes of the Braves took an upward turn. In 1967, 1970 and 1971 the Braves represented the east in The Canadian Final. Unfortunately the Braves were unable to win the Big Game. In 1996 Bernie Custis was elected into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in the Builder Category.
Throughout these early years the dream of playing in the CFL became reality for some Braves. Burlington first success story in the CFL was Al Schlosser who was a player on the Braves first team in 1958. Others that followed were John Michaluk, Tony Gabriel, Peter Dalla Riva, Ian Sunter, Dave Lee, Billy Harrison, Marv Allemang and John Bonk. Dalla Riva, Gabriel and Bonk went on to have Hall of Fame careers. Also there is David Braley, the owner of The BC Lion’s and the Toronto Argonauts, Dave Hutton, who is now a respected CFL official and Ron MacVinnie who is President of The Lakeshore officials Association and actively officiates in the CIAU.
The original playing field in Burlington was at Central High School on Brant Street. As time went on the team played its home games at M.M.Robinson High School in North Burlington. In 1967, Brave executive Ken Allen spearheaded a campaign to build a state of the art clubhouse and football complex. His energetic leadership inspired the Braves executive and the result is Nelson Stadium today. A lighted field, now home to the Braves and also the Burlington Minor Football Association and the Nelson High School football teams.
As the seventies continued the Braves had some limited success reaching the Eastern Canadian Final on a few occasions but never making it to the National Final. Moving into the 80’s the Burlington Braves Organization continued but changed the name of the team to the Burlington Junior Tiger Cats in 1986. In 1988 and 89 under Head Coach Doug Trimble the Junior Ti-Cats reached the Canadian Final again but failed to bring home the National Championship. Some of the players that continued on into the CFL from this era include, Derek Noble, Orvil Dixon, Curtis Bell, Lee Knight, Joe Sardo, Bruce Dickson and Dave Dinnall.
As the 1990’s began, the old name of the Burlington Braves returned to the team as did a former head coach Grant MacDonald (1976-80).  MacDonald had limited success but worked hard to continue the Braves tradition.
In 2006 the Braves Organization formed a partnership with the Burlington Minor Football Association. It was of the opinion of the present executive that The Brave organization will only continue to grow with this newfound partnership. 2008, the 50th Anniversary of The Burlington Braves turned into a banner year. Head Coach Craig Daveron led the team to Canadian Final, hosted here at Nelson Stadium. The Braves were defeated by The Vancouver Island Raiders. After a very successful run Coach Daveron left The Braves in 2010. During his term players O’Neil Wilson, Hakeem Kashama and Andre Dure graduated into the pro ranks.
2011 Braves brought in Head Coach, Neil Lumsden, a renovated clubhouse, influx of new volunteers and a brand new turfed field. After posting a 5 and 3 record Neil decided to embark on other opportunities but has stayed on to oversee Player Personal and Scouting.
The Braves hoped to improve in all aspects of the game in 2012. Former CFL Great Mike Samples takes the reins as Head Coach. Accompanied by Asst Head Coach Matt Garner and a group of talented assistants, they are confident in making a impression in the OFC this season.
Sincere gratitude goes out to all former coaches and executive. Because of these committed individuals, the Braves offered a tremendous opportunity for local youth to develop life long skills and friendships. This has not only enabled them to excel on the football field but also in the business world and future endeavors.