Keeper of the Cup

Dennis Dowell had no idea what he was getting himself into when he joined hundreds of volunteers at the 84[SUP]th[/SUP] Grey Cup in Hamilton, Ontario. He had just retired from working in the steel industry and thought it would be a great way to get closer to the on-field action. Dowell began that week working with the CFL Hall of Fame in various capacities. He continued for six more years as a volunteer at the Hall of Fame before finally attaining his current position, “Grey Cup Guy.”

This coming CFL season will culminate on November 25[SUP]th[/SUP] in Toronto with the presentation of the Grey Cup for the 100[SUP]th[/SUP] time. It’s anyone’s guess who will win, but it’s certain Dowell will be there, white gloves and all. That day will mark the end of a long week for him. It is expected Toronto will put on quite a party for the centennial celebration. Dowell says the festivities could, “shut down the downtown core for nine or ten days” if the CFL gets their way.

The Grey Cup is owned by the Canadian Football League, but is managed by the Hall of Fame. Dowell is with the cup ten months of the year, travelling across the country for various charities or events. The other two months, the Cup belongs to the champions. Dowell doesn’t ask what happens during these two months and doesn’t want to know. Legends abound regarding private Grey Cup player parties. The actual truth may be worse than the legend. Luckily for the players, discretion is one of the perks of being a champion.

This is the 103[SUP]rd[/SUP] year the Cup will be presented, but only the 100[SUP]th[/SUP] time a champion will be crowned. The Cup was not presented from 1916-1919 due to World War I. After the game at the Rogers Centre and the two-month player’s tour, the base of the trophy will be retired into the Hall of Fame in Hamilton. The CFL is being secretive about what the base will look like next year. It is widely thought the new design will be unveiled during Grey Cup Week in November. Prior to that, Dowell will take the Cup for a cross-country tour on VIA Rail. The tour starts Labour Day weekend in British Columbia and snakes its way east to the Maritimes. Along the way, there are several stops dedicated to the Purolator Tackle Hunger project. Aside from raising money for charity, Dowell says the tour is a way for, “every Canadian to see the trophy before we get a new one. It is the ‘people’s trophy’ after all.”

Dowell’s schedule isn’t at all empty before the tour. I caught up with him this past weekend when he and the Cup were at the FCCA Convention in Burlington. This coming weekend, Dowell and the Cup will be in Ajax Friday night before heading to Belleville at the Rona Home Show. If you’re planning on stopping at either event, remember you’re allowed to touch the Cup, but you can’t pick it up unless your name is on it.

Dowell will be there. He had to retire before landing his dream job.
“I have the best job in the world right now. Everywhere I go, people are smiling and happy. This trophy brings a lot of joy to Canadians.”