Michael Groleau receives Tom Cheney Award for his contribution to football officiating
At the 2014 Canadian Football Officials’ Association (CFOA) annual conference, Michael (Mike) Groleau of Hamilton, Ontario was awarded the Tom Cheney Award given for outstanding contribution and service toward the improvement of football officiating in Canada.
He boasts an impressive resume both on and off the field.
Entering his 43rd year as an official, his career began at the age of 15 officiating flag football, two years later he joined the Lakeshore FOA.
His 28 year on-field career includes 3 CIS Bowl games, 6 Yates Cups, as well as numerous CJFL playoff and championship games, provincial championships, high school and minor football games.
Off the field, Groleau has most recently finished his second term as CFOA President. In addition, he served 8 years as President of the Ontario Football Officials’ Association (OFOA) and is currently in his 4th year as an advisor. He’s also served on Lakeshore FOA’s executive committee for 17 years.
Mike is passionate about helping develop future generations of officials. He’s a master learning facilitator under the new Officials’ Development Committee. He also serves as a supervisor and evaluator for the OVFL in addition to being a level 4 course conductor at both the CFOA and OFOA levels.
Football Canada would like to congratulate Mike as well as thank him for his many years of contribution to the game and Football Canada.
About the award
The Tom Cheney Award was named after the late Tom Cheney, Football official and educator, a member of the Calgary Football Officials’ Association, a field official in all levels of football from minor league to CFL, an original member of the Officials’ Working Committee and the Editor of the Football Canada Officials’ Training Manual.
His coordination of the material for the Manual was responsible for the excellence of that manual, which is respectfully dedicated to Tom.
After his death, in 1977, the CFOA executive purchased a trophy named for Tom. In view of his long years of dedicated service to the improvement of officiating, it was decided that the trophy would be awarded bi-annually to the person who most nearly approached the Cheney level. The Award is, therefore, given for “outstanding contribution and service toward the improvement of football officiating in Canada.”
Past Winners
|
Year
|
Winner
|
|
2014
|
Michael Groleau, Hamilton
|
|
2012
|
Walter Barry, Montréal
|
|
2010
|
Jack Anderson, Moncton
|
|
2008
|
Ron Hallock, Winnipeg
|
|
2006
|
Murray Taylor, Toronto
|
|
2004
|
Vern Heath, Calgary
|
|
2002
|
Jack Leitch, Toronto
|
|
2000
|
Ron Walsh, Saskatoon
|
|
1998
|
Bill Glendinning, Moncton
|
|
1996
|
Don Kent, Regina
|
|
1994
|
Bernie Young, Montréal
|
|
1992
|
Dave Shields, Ottawa
|
|
1990
|
Ken Green, Toronto
|
|
1988
|
Tip Logan, Hamilton
|
|
1986
|
Harold Ferguson, Edmonton
|
|
1984
|
Jacques Decarrie, Montréal
|
|
1982
|
Bob Turnbull, Winnipeg
|
|
1980
|
Wayne Fleming, Edmonton
|
| 1978 | Jack Gurney, Ottawa |
