Manitoba Touch Football Hall of Fame

Jerome Swarath, The Boozers
Player Bio: In 1979 the Boozers began their football journey in the Canford Touch Football League. Jerome got the call when their QB decided to form his own team in the Winnipeg Centennial Touch Football League (the precursor to the WTFL). With no quarterback, Jerome was elected to "throw the ball" when warming up in the parking lot prior to the Boozers first game. The rest is history. Jerome has played in the WCTFL, the WFTL, the UTFL, Canford and the PIT, making him one of the few (maybe only) player who can say they played in all of Manitoba's Touch Football leagues! Jerome has been at the helm for seven championships (5 Canford, 1 WCTFL, 1 UTFL and is in the championship final to potentially win an 8th this weekend). Those championships have spanned over five decades of football. Jerome has been awarded his teams most valuable player on six separate occasions: 1984, 1985, 1987, 1991, 1992 and 1998. Jerome stated that the honor of being inducted into the Touch Football Hall of Fame definitely was the icing on his football career.
Favorite Memory: "The Overtime" The 1999 Canford Division 1 Championship game at Elmwood high school against The Corporate Raiders. We were tied at the end of regulation play and went into overtime. We lost the toss however our defense came up with a stop. We got the ball on our 35 and marched it down to their 8 yard line where I ran it in for the touchdown and the win.

Jim Bell, Eagles/Knights
Player Bio: It has been a tremendous run to play touch football over the course of the last 30 years. I have been so fortunate to play this game with so many wonderful people. Upon reflection, wearing the Eagles jersey for so many of those years was very special, as it is now for the Knights. We have won our share of games and lost some heart breakers as well, but the one highlight that rises above all for me is being able to play this game with some truly classy guys and loyal friends. There are too many to mention however I will give a special shout out to Jake and Henry Kornelsen, who along with me, are original Eagles. Who knew back in the Fall of 1989 that we would still be doing this nearly 30 years later? Jake, nobody ran an "in pattern" like you, virtually unstoppable! Sean Lehmann joined us a few years later and like Jake, your "up and over" has always been money. And, there is no better teammate to be found than Chris Noonan who demonstrates the combination of leadership, teamwork, and athleticism as well as anyone. To my son Trev, what an honor to have played with you.... always loved throwing you that "come backer" on the sideline. I extend my deepest gratitude to all the guys I have had the pleasure to play and compete with as you are a special group. A special thank you to our wives, who have always been there with us. Lastly, thank you to the HOF Selection Committee as this is truly an honour. I do look forward to slinging a few more passes before riding off into the sunset.
Favorite Memory: "The Drive" We were at Tournament of Champions in Ottawa when the Eagles were in their prime. We were in the first division and playing a top 3 or 4 ranked team in the country (Ottawa Magellan). It was a back and forth game and they scored to go up 7 with under 3 minutes. We scrimmaged from deep in our end for the last drive of the game. If my memory is right, we threw at least 3 "in patterns" to Jake on that drive as well as a deep "up and over" pattern to Lehmann. I am sure we had another play or two mixed in but we scored on the last play of the game on ......"the in to Jake" to get us within one point. The referee looked at me and said "Are you going for one to tie it and a tie is like kissing your sister, or do you have the balls to go for two"? We went for two and the call was, an "in and out" to Jake. Well, the corner bit so hard on that in! We made the two-pointer and won the game.

Rick Morand, Timberwolves
Player Bio: Rick has had a tremendous run in touch football in a career now spanning over three decades. While individual stats were not kept for a large portion of Rick’s career he was always at or top of the scoring race in the first divisions for years, culminating in winning the WTFL Division 1 scoring race in 1997. In that year, Rick scored an incredible 194 points, the second most in WTFL Division 1 history – all this after successfully recovering from a broken neck suffered while playing tackle football. In the PIT, Rick has twice won the Division 3 scoring title, two Masters scoring titles, and five Masters interception titles, including the all-time record. Rick was also part of the legendary Timberwolves teams who played in the WTFL and Canford top divisions for years. In Canford, the Timberwolves hold the record for most Division 1 championships in Canford football, including a best-ever five-straight Division 1 titles. You can still find Rick ball-hawking on various teams as the leagues resident super-sub, and even though he is pushing 50 years of age, he might still be one of the fastest guys in the league!
Favorite Memory: "The Bet" When Rick was in his prime he was pretty much uncoverable. In a game against a young Nomads team Rick asked which player would be defending him and then betting the team $20.00 that he would score five touchdowns. Four touchdowns later the Timberwolves were driving to score and on the last play of the game from the five-yard line. The Nomads put all six defenders on Rick to prevent the score…which they did! Rick never paid his $20.00. Editors note: Rick with compounding interest, as of 2019, you owe the Nomads $136.97.

Jake Kornelsen, Eagles
Player Bio: Jake began playing in 1979 as part of a Winnipeg church league. In 1989, when that league ended, he joined the Winnipeg Touch Football League to play with the Eagles, which eventually became the Knights when the team moved to the Ultimate Touch Football League then the PIT Football League. In those 40 years Jake has led the league in both points and interceptions many times! In an article in the Free Press in the 90’s he was declared the best two-way player in Manitoba touch football. Not only was he a league leader in statistics but also won awards for most sportsmanlike player, which meant as much to him as his other accomplishments. The Eagles/Knights also won their share of titles over the years which was great fun to be a part of.
Favorite Memory: Jake’s best memories are of the friendships he made playing the game of touch football. He has had the pleasure of playing with his brother Henry and his brother-in-law Jim Bell for almost all 40 years. Sean Lehmann has also been a great teammate for almost 25 years. And over the last five years he has had the absolute privilege of playing this game with his two talented sons, Jeremy and Owen. That has been a dream come true. Jake has also had the pleasure of competing against some great touch football players who came from the CFL, like James Murphy and Willard Reaves. He remembers catching numerous “ins” from Jim Bell and hearing these guys muttering under their breath (and sometimes out loud) that they just didn’t know how to cover that. He took great pleasure in totally frustrating defenses.

Corey Hanssen, Banditos/6 Gun Justice
Player Bio: I have been so fortunate to be able to play the game I love for such a long time. Touch football changed my life. I have made so many lasting friendships and have been part of so many great teams (in several different leagues) over the last 30 years. I will always cherish the memories of travelling to tournaments across the country with the Banditos, Assassins, Eagles, and the Rebels and playing against the best players in Canada! It was truly an honour to be able to play with legendary quarterbacks like Tim Shea, Jim Bell, Neil Sinclair (strongest arm I have ever seen), Kerry Surinx, and Jon Franklin. It is a shame that some of these guys never played tackle football. My "Glory Days" of touch football were with the Banditos. What a great group of teammates! The chemistry I had with Kerry Surinx was just special! And the championships ... unforgettable! As I get older, I have turned my attention to teaching the younger generations how to play the game. I have coached my son's team in the Football Manitoba flag program for the last 5 years. It took a while, but he has finally caught the football bug. Watch out PIT Football - he is going to be a great one! Corey has amassed a trophy case full of titles during his career including a record five Division 1 titles with 6 Gun Justice in the UTFL, two championships with the Banditos in the WTFL, four Mazur Football League titles, and nine (and counting) PIT Football championships. Additionally, Corey was voted top quarterback in the UTFL on two separate occassions and was the only player to win the UTFL most valuable player award in two consecutive years. Quite a resume!
Favorite Memory: During tackle practices with the St.James Rods, I would often notice a group of adults playing a game that loosely resembled football. The game was wide open and fast! The ball was in the air on every single play! It was a perfect fit for me. I wandered over to the field after one of our practices to inquire about the game and how I could get into the league. The next week I was a member of the Rods touch football team led by Barry Wall and Donny Carson. I was so excited that I found a league where I could play football forever!

Kerry Surinx, Banditos/North Bay Panthers
Player Bio: I have so many great memories from my 30 years of playing touch football. I started out playing as a 19-year-old, never thinking the sport would bring me so much enjoyment for many decades! I have played with some incredible football players and people. I’ve even had the opportunity of playing along-side my son, Tyson, which was a truly awesome thing to experience! I remember playing my first year with the Untouchables. I was barely out of high school and had zero experience in the touch game. The plays were called for me, all I had to do was throw. And, to the surprise of no one, I usually ended up choosing the deep route! Over the years, I’ve played on many teams including some amazing years with the Banditos, Yard Apes, Griffons, Outsiders, and others. The Banditos enjoyed some division 1 success but were never able to capture the championship despite having the most talented roster I was ever a part of. In 2015, Jon Franklin asked me if I would play a couple of games with a struggling ‘Free Agents’ team. At the time, I was planning on taking the season off, but he convinced me to give it a shot. Fast forward six seasons, I’m still with the Free Agents, now called the North Bay Panthers, and having a blast! I’m the old timer now but still loving every minute. To date, Kerry has three WTFL championships, two PIT Football championships, and a tonne of touchdown pass leader awards in the WTFL (pre-internet!). Kerry was also a force on offense and defense for the legendary Yardapes teams of yesteryear in Canford.
Favorite Memory: In my years playing, I’ve made some great friendships. Many of the friendships started out as competitors, evolved to teammates, and then to lifelong friendships. Playing with guys like Corey Hanssen has elevated my play (and my stats!) over the years. As a QB, you hope to be lucky enough to have a go-to receiver and Corey has been that to me for many years. I’d like to thank the HOF Selection Committee as this is truly an honor. Thank you to all my former teammates who have made playing touch football an absolute blast for 30 years. Here’s hoping there are a few more years to come!!

Jason Cassie, Beerhawks/Fail Mary/North Bay (and every other team in the PIT)
Player Bio:Player Bio: My whole life all I have ever wanted to do was play football. But I lived outside of the city and had parents who owned a small business, so I had no way to get to any of the football clubs, or high school tryouts, so it never happened to me. It wasn’t until my neighbor asked if I would be interested in playing on his touch team in the Canford league (run by hall of famer John Robertson). I said yes, and never looked back. I have had the benefit of playing with and against so many great players. A lot of whom are hall of famers already. And playing with and against many more who will be hall of famers. Jason has already written a HOF resume, with many more records to come! To wit, Jason is a three-time MVP; Winter 2020, Summer 2022, and for the year 2019-2020.
Jason also holds the record for most points scored in a single game with 49. Jason is one of only a select few who has led a division in every statistical category, leading in sacks six times, points five times, interceptions four times, and in touchdown passes twice! Finally, Jay is our resident highlander having amassed the record for games played in the PIT!
Favorite Memory: Some of my favourite memories are making plays against future pro football players and getting absolutely roasted by them as well. LOL! But the best is being able to play with my two kids as they get older. So much fun. So thankful for my incredibly patient wife Angela, and the community of friends I have made over the years. Hopefully for many more years to come.

Jean-Guy Mercier, Big Deal/The Kraken
Player Bio:I have to thank Jeff Dyck, who has been my friend and teammate since grade 3, to all the way through my touch football career. One day, some 30 years or so ago, he suggested that we attend the WTFL’s free agent tryouts. I’m not sure that many people can say that, as was done at recess so many years ago, that they have continued to play and are still playing sports with a Grade 3 classmate. Thanks to Touch Football, I can say that! I’ve also had the pleasure of playing with and against so many wonderful people within the PIT and Touch community. I am especially thankful for the camaraderie, the making of more friends and good acquaintances through all of these may years of competing.
Favorite MemorySome of my favourite memories are, and always be, the joy shared with each teammate as they’ve made a big play, spectacular catch, and in some circumstances, the drops that resulted in fits of laughter. These memories and the depth of all the moments, are etched into the ‘dossier’ I can pull from for those times when we sit back and reminisce. I’ve been blessed to play with so many great athletes – both female and male – during my Touch Football career. Highlights to date include the championships won, the friends I’ve made along the way, and the touchdown pass I threw to Milt Stegall in his inaugural tournament, as well as the creation of the ‘Grey Gnome Bowl’ (AKA Dad Jonker Bowl) with the yearly battles against Blast from the Past.

Jon Franklin, Avengers/Guild/KanKrazies
Player Bio: Jon started his playing career as a receiver in the Winnipeg high school football league (WHSFL) run in partnership with the Winnipeg Touch Football League (WTFL) in 1992. Wanting to play quarterback, Jon missed tryouts. That didn’t work out. Jon then attended a WTFL free agent camp in 1993 and was selected by the Nomads to be the quarterback of the future, following the retirement of fellow HOF QB Glen Dyck. Glen retired in 2015. That didn’t work out. Jon played a few years with the Rebels as a receiver and backup quarterback of the future. However, the perceived lack of arm strength meant that Jon couldn't crack the QB lineup. That didn’t work out. Jon then joined the Banditos, however, his path to quarterbacking was blocked by fellow HOFers Kerry Surnix and Corey Hanssen. That didn’t work out. It wasn’t until the Ultimate Touch Football (UTFL) Avengers gave Jon his first shot at quarterbacking in 2002. This time, things worked out. Fast forward a couple of decades and Jon is the only player in Manitoba history with over 5000 touchdown passes, three national titles, and two national championship MVP awards. As Jon's playing career begins to wind down, and he has turned his hand to coaching at the provincial level. Since 2018, Jon has coached Team Manitoba to four national flag football championships.
Favorite Memory: Winning my first national championship in 2002 at SkyDome as part of the Vanier Cup festivities in Toronto. Considering the team took full advantage of the hospitality presented by the tournament sponsor Budweiser, it is hard to believe we got up each day to play, let alone win a national title. Being able to share Hall of Fame space with Kanwal Saran. At one time, both of us weren't considered good enough to play in Division 1. We kicked that door down together. The great friends and memories made.

This is Jerome...

Coming soon