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March 22, 2017

Anderson, Schwartz to enter Hall of Fame

Photo by Johany Jutras

The Calgary Stampeders congratulate two members of the Red and White family – running back Kelvin Anderson and longtime executive Stan Schwartz – for being part of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame’s 2017 class.

The inductees were announced this evening in Regina as part of CFL Week activities. The group will officially be enshrined into the Hall of Fame in September as part of ceremonies to be held in Hamilton.

“On behalf of the entire organization, I heartily congratulate Stan and Kelvin for this very well-deserved honour,” said Stampeders president and general manager John Hufnagel. “I can’t think of anyone who cared about the Stampeders more passionately than Stan and he served the team with honour and distinction in several different capacities over his three decades with the club.

Former Stampeders running back Kelvin Anderson (Photo by Johany Jutras)

Kelvin Anderson (Photo by Johany Jutras)

“Kelvin may have been a running back of small stature, but he produced in a big way. He was remarkably consistent and durable and he was a key part of some excellent Stamps teams – including g a couple of Grey Cup winners – during his time in Calgary.”

In seven years with the Red and White — 1996-2002 — Anderson recorded seven 1,000-yard rushing seasons. Anderson established franchise marks for most 1,000-yard seasons (seven) and most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons (also seven) that stand to this day.

Anderson’s 8,292 yards on the ground represents the second-highest total in Calgary history. Over his Calgary career, Anderson had 52 rushing touchdowns and 24 receiving scores for a total of 76 majors, second only to Allen Pitts in the Stamps record books. Anderson played with BC in 2003 and recorded one more 1,000-yard season in his final year in the CFL. The eight consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns are a league record.

Anderson, a South Bend, Ind., native who played at Southeast Missouri State before turning pro, was a two-time Grey Cup champion with Calgary, winning titles in 1998 and 2001. In the 1998 championship game, he established a Calgary Grey Cup record that still stands by rushing for 105 yards.

Anderson was a CFL all-star three times and a West Division all-star on five occasions. He was Calgary’s nominee for the Most Outstanding Player award three times and was twice a finalist for that honour. Anderson was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie in 1996.

Schwartz, who will enter the Hall in the builders’ category, ended a 30-year relationship with the Stampeders when he retired in early 2017.

Stan Schwartz (Photo by Johany Jutras)

Stan Schwartz (Photo by Johany Jutras)

In 1976, the Medicine Hat native started his eight-year career as an assistant coach with the Stampeders. He left his coaching position with the Stamps and became senior executive/manager of McMahon Stadium. In 1995, Schwartz returned to the Stampeders fold as vice-president and general manager-administration. In 1996, he was elevated to the post of Calgary Stampeder Football Club president, a position he held for eight years. He closed out his career with the Red and White as executive vice-president and consultant to the executive committee.

In 2009, Schwartz was awarded the CFL’s Hugh Campbell Distinguished Leadership Award. The same year also saw the inception of the Stan Schwartz Heart of a Champion Award, which is presented annually to three Calgary high school seniors who display determination, pride, perseverance, dedication, leadership and integrity through their pursuit of excellence on the field, in the classroom and in the community.

Schwartz is also a member of the Stampeders’ Wall of Fame, the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, the Calgary Bantam Football Wall of Fame and the Medicine Hat Sports Hall of Fame, among many other honours.

The other members of the 2017 Hall of Fame class include receiver Geroy Simon, quarterback Anthony Calvillo, linebacker Mike O’Shea in the players’ category and former University of Saskatchewan coach Brian Towriss in the builders’ category.

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