March 2001

While he didn't have the moves of "Sweetness", he could run the table like few before or after him. He is an unassuming human being, almost shy. By his own admission, he's a little bit nerdy, having also been chosen as an academic All-American while at UM. Last November in his adopted hometown of Calgary, Alberta, Dave Dickenson was named the Most Valuable Player in the Canadian Football League.

Only a week before, his favored Calgary Stampeders, champions of the regular season West Division, were defeated in their quest for the Grey Cup by the British Columbia Lions.
The Grey Cup is the Canadian equiva-lent of the U.S. Super Bowl, complete with all that is Canadian. For me it was my first. It will not be my last.

When comparing the CFL with the NFL, there are few similarities. Salaries in the CFL are capped, with the highest players earning at $150,000 Canadian or about $100,000 American They are the I-AA players of North America, playing for the love of the game and not the love of the money.

From what I saw in the 88th Grey Cup, teams are highly competitive and driven players equal in quality to many NFL teams. A number of CFL players have gone on to enjoy outstanding NFL careers including, Warren Moon, Doug Flutie and Jeff Garcia. Bud Grant, who coached the Minnesota Vikings to four Super Bowls, was once the coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

This year's Grey Cup game was as exciting as any in the NFL, when the British Columbia Lions defeated the Montreal Alouettes 28-26. It was certainly a much more exciting game than many of the Super Bowl yawners of the past few years. And with the Grey Cup half-time and pre-game shows featuring Tina Turner and Manitoba's own Guess Who, the entertainment equaled anything the Super Bowl has to offer. So much for the Grey Cup. Let's take another look at Dave Dickenson.

Dave holds many of the passing records at the University, not the least of which is yardage. In the CFL he continues his onslaught on the record books, most notably for passing efficiency, which combines passing attempts, completions, touchdowns and interceptions. His mark for the year is better than any of the present NFL quarterbacks, averaging almost six touchdowns for every interception.

A rangy quarterback and one rarely sacked, Dickinson should not be confused with a gazelle but instead aligned with perhaps a darting roadrunner or jerking jackrabbit. He has proven to be elusive prey for defensive players.

It is not surprising that Dave is the players' player on the All CFL Team. His coach, Wally Bruno, says Dickenson is the heart and soul of the team - its undisputed leader. The same can be said of his devotion to his community and his efforts to provide community service. Always there to organize or participate in any number of fund-raising events, he is the most popular and most recognizable professional athlete in Calgary -- even in a province and country where hockey is king.

So what should we do with this native son, the one who makes us proud? Why not bring him back to Montana? Every year the state cries out for economic development and offers millions for new ideas. Some work, some don't. Here's my idea. Apply for a CFL franchise and share the stadium with the Montana Grizzlies, as is done with the University of Calgary.

Use a million dollars of state money to bring Dave back home. Establish the team around him. He can start by drafting those seventeen Grizzly seniors who have made Montanans exuberant about our program.

Enlarge Washington-Grizzly Stadium to 40,000 seats by installing upper decks on the east and west sides. Begin playing in the 2002 season. The team would be the only professional sports team from Seattle to Minneapolis and Denver to Salt Lake City.

Grizzly games are already sold out with thousands more seeking tickets each week. So, let's do something for Montana -- let's bring Dave home.

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