Thanks, Ken Hildahl

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/08/2011 (5396 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The next time you’re looking down at your beloved Blue Bombers, from the old stadium or the new, take a moment to thank Ken Hildahl, who more than anyone else is responsible for saving the franchise and creating a vision for its future.

“I’d absolutely agree with that assessment,” said former Manitoba premier Gary Doer, now Canada’s ambassador to the United States. “When I was elected premier in 1999, before I was sworn in, I was told the Bombers were going to default on their payroll. We researched a plan for the viability of the club and I appointed two people to the board, Ken Hildahl and David Asper.

“They both eventually became chair but Ken, certainly over the years, he was kind of the Gary Cooper of that ownership group. He was so steady and so sure and he loved the team so much and he got things done very effectively. Over the last decade he was the true leader of the football team. He was a great leader of the Bombers, of the vision of a new facility and the club’s responsibility and accountability to the community.”

Hildahl, who served on the Bombers board for 10 years including five as chairman, died suddenly on Friday at the age of 61. The president and CEO of the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission had not been sick and cause of death is unknown, pending an autopsy.

“The reality is Ken laid the foundation for a long-term vision for the Bombers to have a new home, there’s no doubt about that,” said Premier Greg Selinger. “He wanted the club to move forward. Given the history of what happened with hockey in Winnipeg when we didn’t get the arena built in a timely fashion, I really felt we needed to move on something and so did Ken. His motivation was always what was best for Winnipeg. First and foremost he was a citizen of Manitoba and, as you know his work was all volunteer, he gave 10 years of his life to make sure the Bombers were a viable long-term asset for this community. He deserves credit.”

Hildahl was a seasoned and accomplished businessman when he joined the Bombers board but what made him stand out from others was his motivation. Hildahl always believed the best interests of the football team and the community had to be married and served together.

Steadfast

The Blue Bombers are a community-sponsored non-profit organization and the steadfast Hildahl fought to make sure both partners — the team and the citizens of this province — were given a fair shake.

“Ken Hildahl was arguably the most important and influential board member in the football club’s history,” said longtime Blue Bombers CEO and current Calgary Stampeders president and CEO Lyle Bauer. “One thing about Ken, he wasn’t flashy. He didn’t have to be in the limelight or be the man. But I do not know of one person that got more things done. In his own way he was very effective in getting what was needed for the community and that football team. He was a great contributor in implementing and following through with a business plan for the team. He just flat got things done.”

Bauer took over the team when it was mired in debt with dim prospects. He says Hildahl was instrumental in striking deals to get the team out of financial trouble, all the while working on a vision for its future that included a new home.

“I’d set up these meetings with important Winnipeg business or political leaders and when I brought Ken along, the deal was done,” said Bauer. “It was amazing. We’d walk in, he’d ask about their families and talk a little bit and then we’d get up and walk out the door with a deal in our pocket. Nobody could touch him in terms of influence with the business and political communities. Ken knew how to present things and if he said he was going to do something he did it. He was honourable and trusted.

“Ken was key in getting the club out of its financial mess and a leader from way back in 2004 on plans for a new home for the club. Ken Hildahl is a major reason why there is going to be a new stadium for the football team. Ken was adamant that the team remain community- owned. He believed in the Blue Bombers and he believed in the community.”

Hildahl was married to wife Judy and had three sons, Jamie, Jeff and Tyler.

“He liked to make everybody happy. He was compassionate to everybody. He was a great father,” said son Jamie Hildahl, 28. “He lived for the football team and when he got the opportunity to work on the board, it was a dream and he didn’t take it for granted. People thought it was his job and didn’t realize it was all volunteer. He was like that with the community as a whole. After I got sick (Jamie was diagnosed with leukemia at age 20 and has been cancer free for seven years) and then released from the hospital, my dad raised $300,000 to refurbish the ward I stayed in at Health Sciences Centre. He was constantly, constantly giving to the community. He was selfless, beyond compassionate and open-minded to everything. He never judged. He was such a good guy.”

Hildahl wasn’t involved with the Bombers for the ego trip. He was a Winnipegger who put his community first and didn’t fall in with cronies on issues or follow the party line. Hildahl pushed for what he thought was best for Manitobans and the football club.

Some guys like to see their name in the paper or picture on TV. Hildahl liked to get things done.

“Ken was the quintessential Winnipegger in that he had an enormous passion for the community and he showed that passion in quiet but effective ways,” said Jets owner Mark Chipman, who worked with Hildahl on a number of community initiatives. “He showed that passion in quiet ways. He was one of those guys that worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this a better place to live and had an impact on a number of fronts in this province.”

Enjoy all there is to be happy about these days in Bomberland, from a dandy team to a new home on the horizon. Just don’t forget to say thanks.

And Ken Hildahl should be first on your list.

gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca

Gone too soon

Other notable Blue Bombers alumni who have died in 2011:

Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter

Dan Lett | Not for Attribution

Tuesdays

A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world.

Sign up for Dan Lett | Not for Attribution

Sign Up

I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

Herb Gray, player from 1956-65 Pat Martin, scout

Richard Harris, defensive line coach

Ricky Bell, player from 2002-2004

Ken Bishop, ex-general manager