Sep
Stala having banner campaign
Courtesy Hamilton Spectator:
There’s a picture of Dave Stala celebrating his first touchdown in a Tiger-Cat uniform, mobbed by buddies he went to high school with. They’d leaped from the hospitality suite he’d arranged the moment he’d crossed into the end zone and they enjoyed a brief but happy group hug.
It was a cool moment for the home-town boy, the perfect snapshot of Stala’s comeback season — one that has been marked by success on the field and good times with friends and family off it.
“It’s a great feeling to come back here and play — I thought about doing it the last few years. I’m getting a lot of recognition just walking down the street,” Stala said.
Born in Poland but raised in Hamilton where he attended Cathedral High School, Stala enjoyed a stellar career at St. Mary’s University in Halifax, winning two Vanier Cups with the Huskies. He was drafted in the sixth round by Montreal and played seven seasons for the Alouettes, including a standout 2005 campaign when he amassed more than 1,000 yards on 83 catches.
But “played” is probably too strong a word to describe the past two years. Foot injuries limited him to just two games over that span and surgeries and setbacks became the focus.
Ticat general manager Bob O’Billovich and head coach Marcel Bellefeuille — who coached Stala in Montreal — did their homework before signing him in the off-season, aware of both his talent and his injury history.
“I knew he was a very good receiver and that he’d make plays for us as long as he was healthy,” said Bellefeuille.
And healthy he has been. With catches in all 10 of the Ticats’ games so far this season, Stala has 33 on the year as well as two touchdowns. He won the inside slot job in training camp and has made himself useful as a gritty, dependable receiver.
“He’s just a tough guy with a nose for the football. When you give him a chance to catch it, he’s usually pretty reliable,” O’Billovich said. “He’s a football player. Some guys just play with more passion and desire and he’s one of those guys.”
In addition to Stala’s contributions on the field, the 29-year-old is striving to make a difference off it. He runs kids’ football camps in Halifax during the off-season and held them in Montreal while playing there. His first Hamilton effort will feature a half dozen or so of Stala’s teammates and take place from Oct. 6 to 8.
“I grew up in this community and I know how it was when I was younger. I know how it is when kids see professional athletes, especially Ticats in this city. I want to give back and make this community a better one,” Stala said.
O’Billovich said he didn’t sign Stala because of his Hamilton roots, but it was a factor in the decision.
“I don’t like having local guys just because they are local guys — I like having local guys that are good football players,” O’Billovich said. “But if there’s somebody from the area who looks like he can be a good player, I like having them on our roster because I think there is instant fan identity.”
While Montreal remains his permanent residence, Stala is living with his parents during the season and says that too has its benefits.
“My parents are great. Every day I get home, there’s food for me on the table. I don’t have many chores to do around the house. When I go back to Montreal in the off-season, it will be a reality check when I have to start doing that stuff again,” he said.
But he hopes to keep the dish-washing duties at bay for a little while longer. After having success in both college and the pros, Stala hopes to stay healthy as the Cats make a push for the playoffs.
“I’m very happy. I’m on the field making a contribution and at home with my friends and family. It couldn’t have worked out better,” Stala said.
