Edmonton Elks to host team’s largest-ever alumni gathering to celebrate 75th anniversary

The Edmonton Elks are pulling out all the stops to celebrate their 75th anniversary in 2024 as they plan to host the largest-ever gathering of team alumni.

The club will have a number of big names on hand for the days leading up to the season-opener against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on June 8, including a gala dinner on June 6 and an autograph session for fans on June 7. Guests for the dinner will include Dave Cutler, Tom Wilkinson, Brian Kelly, Hugh Campbell, Henry ‘Gizmo’ Williams, Damon Allen, Ricky Ray, Sean Fleming, and Michael Reilly.

The Elks also released a logo to commemorate their 75th anniversary season, which features a large ’75,’ the Edmonton skyline, a depiction of Commonwealth Stadium, and the team’s original ‘EE’ logo. The 14 camera flashes depicted in the crowd are meant to signify each of the team’s 14 Grey Cups championships. The logo was designed by local artist Curtis Ogrodiuk.

Edmonton will also release all-decade teams over the course of the regular season, covering the seven decades the team has existed. The players selected will then serve as the nominees for the “EE all-time team,” which will be decided by a fan vote.

This may also be the club’s final season as a community-owned team as Park Lane, the CFL’s investment banking partner, is working with the special committee that was formed late last year to review the club’s ownership structure. Head coach and general manager Chris Jones is optimistic about the potential privatization of the team, pointing to the recent success of the B.C. Lions and Montreal Alouettes following ownership changes.

The Elks have finished with 4-14 records in both of the last two seasons and currently hold the first overall pick in the 2024 CFL Draft.