ANNIS STUKUS: 1914-2006
Good luck with the games up in heaven coach.
http://www.cfl.ca/index.php?module=n...cnum=&nid=8254
Saturday, May 20, 2006 - 05:00PM
CANMORE, AB (CFL.ca wire) -- Annis Stukus, the legendary Canadian sports figure and the first coach of the Edmonton Eskimos in the modern era, died Thursday at the age of 91 at his home in Canmore, Alberta.
'Stuke' was a true renaissance man, who enjoyed careers in sports, journalism, broadcasting and politics.
As a player with the Toronto Argonauts from 1935 to 1941, Annis, along with brothers Bill and Frank, helped the Boatmen to Grey Cup victories in 1937 and 1938. Annis enjoyed a successful 12-year playing career excelling at six different positions, including quarterback.
Making the transition to coaching, Stukus was hired to lead the Edmonton Eskimos as their first coach and general manager in 1949 and even performed place kicking duties for the club. In 1953, Annis moved west to Vancouver to become the first head coach of the B.C. Lions, a job he would hold until 1956.
“This is a tremendous loss for fans of the CFL and for the B.C. Lions,” said Lions president and CEO, Bob Ackles. “Annis was an outstanding player and coach and an even better person off the field. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”
He is a member of the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame and in 1974 was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame as a builder. The CFL’s annual award for the coach of the year is named in his honour.
A promotional genius with a flair for the outrageous, 'The Loquacious Lithuanian' was also the general manager of the Winnipeg Jets of the World Hockey Association and the man who signed Bobby Hull to a then unheard of $1 million contract.
Stukus is survived by his wife of 67 years, Doris, daughters Suzanne, Sally and Mary, grandsons David and Sam, and great granddaughter Maddy. Annis was predeceased by his parents Frank and Salome Stukus and his brothers Bill and Frank.
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http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/C...590195-cp.html
Legendary coach Annis Stukus dies at age 91
EDMONTON (CP) - Annis Stukus, the legendary CFL figure who enjoyed a varied career across the Canadian sports world, has died, the Edmonton Eskimos said Saturday.
He died at his home in Canmore, Alta., at the age of 91.
Nicknamed Stuke, he was best known for helping build CFL franchises in Edmonton and Vancouver. He was also general manager of the World Hockey Association's Winnipeg Jets, signing Bobby Hull to a then-unheard of $1 million contract.
Stukus was a versatile player during his 12-year career with the Toronto Argonauts, playing numerous positions including quarterback. Along with his brothers Bill and Frank, he helped the Argos to a pair of Grey Cup victories in 1937 and '38.
Stukus went on to coaching, becoming head coach of the Eskimos in 1949. He was later named the first coach of the B.C. Lions in 1953, holding that job until 1956. A promotional genius with a flair for the outrageous, Stukus helped the Eskimos and Lions achieve financial success in their early days.
"This is a tremendous loss for fans of the CFL and for the BC Lions," said Lions president and CEO, Bob Ackles. "Annis was an outstanding player and coach and an even better person off the field. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time."
Since 1961, the CFL has honoured Stukus by naming its annual coach of the year award after him.
He also worked as a sportswriter and broadcaster in Toronto and Vancouver.
A member of the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame, Stukus was also inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame as a builder in 1974.
Stukus was born on October 25, 1914 in Toronto.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Doris, daughters Suzanne, Sally and Mary, grandsons David and Sam, and great-granddaughter Maddy.
Annis was predeceased by his brothers Bill and Frank.
http://www.cfl.ca/index.php?module=n...cnum=&nid=8254
Saturday, May 20, 2006 - 05:00PM
CANMORE, AB (CFL.ca wire) -- Annis Stukus, the legendary Canadian sports figure and the first coach of the Edmonton Eskimos in the modern era, died Thursday at the age of 91 at his home in Canmore, Alberta.
'Stuke' was a true renaissance man, who enjoyed careers in sports, journalism, broadcasting and politics.
As a player with the Toronto Argonauts from 1935 to 1941, Annis, along with brothers Bill and Frank, helped the Boatmen to Grey Cup victories in 1937 and 1938. Annis enjoyed a successful 12-year playing career excelling at six different positions, including quarterback.
Making the transition to coaching, Stukus was hired to lead the Edmonton Eskimos as their first coach and general manager in 1949 and even performed place kicking duties for the club. In 1953, Annis moved west to Vancouver to become the first head coach of the B.C. Lions, a job he would hold until 1956.
“This is a tremendous loss for fans of the CFL and for the B.C. Lions,” said Lions president and CEO, Bob Ackles. “Annis was an outstanding player and coach and an even better person off the field. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”
He is a member of the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame and in 1974 was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame as a builder. The CFL’s annual award for the coach of the year is named in his honour.
A promotional genius with a flair for the outrageous, 'The Loquacious Lithuanian' was also the general manager of the Winnipeg Jets of the World Hockey Association and the man who signed Bobby Hull to a then unheard of $1 million contract.
Stukus is survived by his wife of 67 years, Doris, daughters Suzanne, Sally and Mary, grandsons David and Sam, and great granddaughter Maddy. Annis was predeceased by his parents Frank and Salome Stukus and his brothers Bill and Frank.
*****
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/C...590195-cp.html
Legendary coach Annis Stukus dies at age 91
EDMONTON (CP) - Annis Stukus, the legendary CFL figure who enjoyed a varied career across the Canadian sports world, has died, the Edmonton Eskimos said Saturday.
He died at his home in Canmore, Alta., at the age of 91.
Nicknamed Stuke, he was best known for helping build CFL franchises in Edmonton and Vancouver. He was also general manager of the World Hockey Association's Winnipeg Jets, signing Bobby Hull to a then-unheard of $1 million contract.
Stukus was a versatile player during his 12-year career with the Toronto Argonauts, playing numerous positions including quarterback. Along with his brothers Bill and Frank, he helped the Argos to a pair of Grey Cup victories in 1937 and '38.
Stukus went on to coaching, becoming head coach of the Eskimos in 1949. He was later named the first coach of the B.C. Lions in 1953, holding that job until 1956. A promotional genius with a flair for the outrageous, Stukus helped the Eskimos and Lions achieve financial success in their early days.
"This is a tremendous loss for fans of the CFL and for the BC Lions," said Lions president and CEO, Bob Ackles. "Annis was an outstanding player and coach and an even better person off the field. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time."
Since 1961, the CFL has honoured Stukus by naming its annual coach of the year award after him.
He also worked as a sportswriter and broadcaster in Toronto and Vancouver.
A member of the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame, Stukus was also inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame as a builder in 1974.
Stukus was born on October 25, 1914 in Toronto.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Doris, daughters Suzanne, Sally and Mary, grandsons David and Sam, and great-granddaughter Maddy.
Annis was predeceased by his brothers Bill and Frank.
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