Yesterday morning I passed the Alouettes training ground, which is located between the Olympic Stadium and the Saputo Stadium. The players trained with enthusiasm. Every good shot was greeted with squeals of satisfaction. Once, a pass catcher dove to catch a ball just inches from the sideline. A truly spectacular catch! As if it were a real game.
• Also read: Always so close to the people, the Alouettes
The air was good.
We still thought we were in summer. The only other media representative on site was a reporter from the Canadian Press. The others had come in larger numbers the day before. The pack was in Mont-Tremblant for the Canadian’s training session.
But the leaders of the Alouettes have nothing to complain about. Communications manager Francis Dupont doesn’t count the hours.
“For the first time since returning to the organization in 2020, I can concentrate on my work,” says Alouettes CEO Danny Maciocia. Photo Martin Chevalier
A big relief
Danny Maciocia enters the scene. Instead of wearing a suit and tie like Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes, he’s dressed like a football coach: cap, kangaroo, shorts and sneakers.
Professional deformation undoubtedly.
He corrects me when I ask him how the first year of the new regime is going.
“I would rather say Year I of the return to normality,” he corrects.
“For the first time since returning to the organization in 2020, I can concentrate on my work. The stories happen on the field and no longer outside. »
Maciocia had her hands full in the final days of the Stern administration. He seriously considered setting sail. Then Pierre Karl Péladeau came out of nowhere and bought the team.
The surprise was total. But there were also many questions. Both internally and with the public and the media.
Mr. Péladeau is a character known for implementing his ideas whether you like it or not. The man loves action and defends himself body and soul in everything he does.
Parallel between PKP and his father
Without knowing him personally, Maciocia still had a good idea of the universe in which his new boss lives. He draws a parallel with his father Cosmo, a former member of the National Assembly and former city councilor in Montreal City Hall.
“My father was in politics for 30 years,” he says.
“You always hear stories. However, my experience and my father’s life have taught me that before forming an opinion about a person, you need to talk to them and get to know them. When it’s finished, you’ll have a more accurate portrait of that person.
“That applies to everyone, whether between me and my players, whether in any other area. »
Free from his actions
Mr. Péladeau is putting his people to work, as he promised when he became owner on March 10.
“We exchange ideas briefly and see each other at games,” says Maciocia.
“He texts me sometimes. I feel his support. People I meet in the audience tell me about him. They say we have a lot to thank him for getting the team out of trouble. »
The Alouettes have an 8-7 record with three games remaining and are guaranteed to play in the East Division semifinals.
Is that satisfactory given the losses they suffered on the free agent market before Pierre Karl Péladeau arrived on the scene?
“When our record was 6-3, we had other goals in mind,” Maciocia replies.
“But we won our last two games. Things are going well, not just for the team, but for the entire organization. Our goal is to build a stable and competitive team that can compete for the championship [lire la Coupe Grey] each year.
“We want to give this team back to Quebecers and we want players who are proud to defend their colors. »
What remains is to bring fans back to Percival Molson Stadium in larger numbers. The average attendance for the first seven local games is 17,423 spectators, according to figures collected on the Canadian Football League website.
That’s slightly less than last year’s average of 17,682, but around 20,000 spectators are expected for Monday afternoon’s game against the Ottawa Redblacks. But the weather forecast predicts a temperature of just 12 degrees and showers.
Dress accordingly!
