THE WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
“We had three weeks to prepare for the 2021 season, but we got it done for our fans, who are the best in the league."
Wade Miller, Winnipeg Blue Bombers' president and CEO
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unbelievable moment.” Winning two consecutive Grey Cups also seems unbelievable — but in a good way. And it happened thanks to one man’s vi- sion and his ability to surround himself with great people both on and off the field. That’s a lesson that many businesses lead- ers can take to heart. ■
also a priority. “We had three weeks to prepare for the 2021 season, but we got it done for our fans, who are the best in the league. We did whatever it took, and it happened be- cause we have such a talented group off the field. That day on Aug. 5 was incred- ible. Being back playing football was an
With an accomplished, quality coaching staff in place and stability restored, the Blue Bombers turned the corner and celebrated two more winning years in 2017 (12-6) and 2018 (10-8). Then, the club went 11-7 in 2019. Led by quarterback Zach Collaros — a late-season pick-up after the starting quar- terback went down with a shoulder injury — the Blue Bombers rode his arm and a dominant defence to a decisive win over the favoured Hamilton Tiger Cats in the 2019 Grey Cup. After the 2020 season was lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Blue & Gold went 11-3 in an abbreviated 2021 season, cap- ping it off with a come-from-behind win over the same Tiger Cats to repeat as Grey Cup Champions. In the span of seven years, Miller’s vision had come to fruition. Not only had he and his team re-estab- lished a winning culture in that time span, but they’d also overcome myriad challenges created by the pandemic. “I’m lucky to have great people around me,” he says, adding that he and his staff had an 85-page pandemic restart plan in place in 2020. “It starts with the people who do the ticketing and concessions and on up the line. They’re so consistent with their passion for the team and game. Every- one has it. We also have a board that gives us the flexibility to pursue our vision.” For the players, that means letting them know management has their back, and providing them with an atmosphere that al- lows them to focus on winning. At the same time, the club’s fans are
Off the field, the Blue Bombers showed their commitment to the community by volunteering for local initiatives and touring with the Grey Cup. Supplied photos
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SUMMER 2022
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