As a starting slotback for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Mike Morreale could always look forward to sharing a laugh with teammates Rob Hitchcock and Paul Osbaldiston.
Hitchcock, a safety who holds the team record for career tackles, was just one locker away from Morreale in the Ticat dressing room. Kicker Paul Osbaldiston’s locker was on the opposite side. Osbaldiston is Hamilton’s career scoring leader with 2,856 points.
By 2008, all three players had retired from the Canadian Football League. Today they remain teammates in the business world through their careers with Walton Capital.
Morreale, who now lives in Ancaster, joined Walton Capital Management nearly two years ago, following in the footsteps of his teammates Hitchcock and Osbaldiston.
“(Rob) said it was very rewarding, so I took the leap,” said Morreale.
As the regional vice president, Hitchcock is now Morreale’s boss.
“How did the defensive guy become the boss? That’s what I always said,” Morreale quipped. Paul Osbaldiston is a sales account manager for Walton Capital.
Walton Capital Management is an Exempt Market Dealer offering land-based real estate investments syndicated by Walton International Group to qualified investors.
While he’s now focusing more on the business world, Morreale remains active as a TV commentator for TSN and CIS football on the Score Network. He also spent 2007 as a receivers coach for the McMaster Marauders, his university alma mater.
Morreale had many ups and downs during his 12 years in the CFL, including eight seasons in Hamilton and four with the arch-rival Toronto Argonauts.
“I miss the guys. I miss the camaraderie,” he admits.
A two-time Grey Cup Champion in 1996 with Toronto and 1999 in Steeltown, Morreale also won the Most Outstanding Canadian Award in the 1999 championship with three catches for 51 yards. He was the league’s Most Outstanding Canadian in 1998 and the 2000 recipient of the Tom Pate Memorial Award for his off-field community service.
Despite a disappointing season opener last week in Winnipeg, Morreale believes this year’s Tiger-Cat team has what it takes to build on the success of a 9-9 2009 season.
“I actually think they are going to have a pretty legitimate chance to get second place and make the playoffs,” said Morreale.
Morreale, a Stoney Creek native, moved to Ancaster about two years ago along with his wife, Jackie and their daughter.
“I always liked the town feel,” said Morreale, describing the Ancaster community. “It’s close to my parents and in-laws and it’s easy driving to anywhere around.”
Morreale has also worked as the director of marketing and business development for Pro Players, the sports marketing division of the CFL players association. Upon his retirement following the 2006 season he compiled 509 receptions for 6,649 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Hitchcock, a safety who holds the team record for career tackles, was just one locker away from Morreale in the Ticat dressing room. Kicker Paul Osbaldiston’s locker was on the opposite side. Osbaldiston is Hamilton’s career scoring leader with 2,856 points.
By 2008, all three players had retired from the Canadian Football League. Today they remain teammates in the business world through their careers with Walton Capital.
Morreale, who now lives in Ancaster, joined Walton Capital Management nearly two years ago, following in the footsteps of his teammates Hitchcock and Osbaldiston.
“(Rob) said it was very rewarding, so I took the leap,” said Morreale.
As the regional vice president, Hitchcock is now Morreale’s boss.
“How did the defensive guy become the boss? That’s what I always said,” Morreale quipped. Paul Osbaldiston is a sales account manager for Walton Capital.
Walton Capital Management is an Exempt Market Dealer offering land-based real estate investments syndicated by Walton International Group to qualified investors.
While he’s now focusing more on the business world, Morreale remains active as a TV commentator for TSN and CIS football on the Score Network. He also spent 2007 as a receivers coach for the McMaster Marauders, his university alma mater.
Morreale had many ups and downs during his 12 years in the CFL, including eight seasons in Hamilton and four with the arch-rival Toronto Argonauts.
“I miss the guys. I miss the camaraderie,” he admits.
A two-time Grey Cup Champion in 1996 with Toronto and 1999 in Steeltown, Morreale also won the Most Outstanding Canadian Award in the 1999 championship with three catches for 51 yards. He was the league’s Most Outstanding Canadian in 1998 and the 2000 recipient of the Tom Pate Memorial Award for his off-field community service.
Despite a disappointing season opener last week in Winnipeg, Morreale believes this year’s Tiger-Cat team has what it takes to build on the success of a 9-9 2009 season.
“I actually think they are going to have a pretty legitimate chance to get second place and make the playoffs,” said Morreale.
Morreale, a Stoney Creek native, moved to Ancaster about two years ago along with his wife, Jackie and their daughter.
“I always liked the town feel,” said Morreale, describing the Ancaster community. “It’s close to my parents and in-laws and it’s easy driving to anywhere around.”
Morreale has also worked as the director of marketing and business development for Pro Players, the sports marketing division of the CFL players association. Upon his retirement following the 2006 season he compiled 509 receptions for 6,649 yards and 24 touchdowns.
