CFL unveils Ted Goveia Football Operations Award, new event at CFL Combine

The Canadian Football League has created the Ted Goveia Football Operations Award in memory of the late Hamilton Tiger-Cats general manager.

The honour will recognize club football operations personnel for outstanding achievement in scouting, player identification, roster building, and leadership. Goveia passed away in September at the age of 55 following a battle with cancer. The native of Burlington, Ont. won three Grey Cups with the Toronto Argonauts and Winnipeg Blue Bombers prior to being hired by the Tiger-Cats in 2025.

The award will be presented at a new annual event called the Coach of the Year Celebration. The inaugural proceeding will take place at The Westin Edmonton on March 25 and serve as a fundraiser for Football Alberta. A silent auction will be held with all proceeds going to support local amateur football programming and initiatives.

The event will also unveil the CFL’s Coach of the Year for 2025, which is between finalist Corey Mace of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Jason Maas of the Montreal Alouettes. 53 members of the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) voted for the winner in November, though the results have yet to be unveiled.

The Hugh Campbell Distinguished Leadership Award will also be presented. Created in 2006, the award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated great leadership in making significant contributions to the game. Past winners include Campbell, Wally Buono, Normie Kwong, Bob Ackles, Rick LeLacheur, and John Hufnagel.