Toronto Argonauts honour former star player who was a Mississauga teacher

The Toronto Argonauts will honour a long-time Mississauga resident and former star football player.

Nick Volpe, once a popular gym teacher at Port Credit Secondary School and later an administrator with the Peel District School Board, will be added to the CFL club’s All-Time Argos list during a ceremony at BMO Field on Aug. 9.

Volpe resided with his family in Mississauga for several years until his death in 2021, at the age of 95.

He was part of seven Argonaut championships — two as a player and five as a team employee and had the distinction of never losing a Grey Cup.

As an educator, his first teaching position was at Port Credit Secondary School in 1949, the same year that he joined the Argonauts as a kicker who also played safety on defence and was a backup quarterback. Over his four seasons, he helped Toronto win the Grey Cup twice.

In 1950, he kicked two field goals and made a touchdown-saving tackle on defence to help Toronto defeat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 13-0 in the infamous ‘Mud Bowl’ game at Varsity Stadium. The grass field was so heavily saturated with rainwater that the players were in physical jeopardy.

He later worked on television, assisting with football telecasts from 1972 to ’87.

Volpe would return to the Argos in 1988, working in several capacities, including the head of Canadian scouting and player personnel director.

“It is fitting and proper that we show our utmost respect to a man who respected the organization so well,” said Argos general manager Michael Clemons. “He was a key player in one of the most famous Grey Cup games ever, then helped assemble the wealth of tremendous Canadian talent that led us to five more titles. But his seven Grey Cup rings don’t define Nick, his smile and handshake always will. We are honouring a truly honourable man.”

Another former player, the late Chris Schultz, will also be honoured.

— with files from Nathan Sager and The Canadian Press