Football Day in Hamilton Unites Ptaszek‘s Former and Current Teams

Hamilton Tiger-Cats offensive coordinator Stefan Ptaszek may have hung up his cleats over a decade ago, but wide receiver Andy Fantuz thinks his coach could still suit up alongside him for the Labour Day Classic.
“I think he could still play,” said Fantuz. “That’s something that’s probably surprising. He’s still in really good shape. He’s got good hands. He’s smart. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was still productive out there.”
Ptaszek played wide receiver for the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks where he was a named a CIS All-Canadian three times and still holds the record for career yardage and receptions at his alma mater. He was a CFL first round draft pick and played four years in the league.
He was a good player, but he may be an even better bench boss.
Ptaszek was the head coach of the McMaster Marauders from 2006 until 2015 before accepting a job just up the road this season with the Ticats. He may have left Mac, but his legacy still remains at the school. He posted an overall record of 73 wins and 29 losses, including playoffs, during his tenure and also led the school to their first Vanier Cup in 2011.
Now, seeing the Marauders play on Tim Hortons Field on WeatherTech Football Day in Hamilton will bring everything full circle.

“I certainly didn’t leave because I wasn’t excited where they’re going to be,” said Ptaszek. “I’m pumped, but I’ve been staying a little arms length and I can’t wait to see them. It will be the first time I’ve seen them all year when they come out on that field on Labour Day.”
A native of Burlington, On, Ptaszek grew up just an arms length away from the annual storied rivalry between the Ticats and Argos. He even played in the Labour Day Classic in 1999 for the double blue.
Ptaszek fully comprehended the importance of the rivalry game that fell on the first Monday of September, but did not truly understand it’s full intensity until he played in the grudge match himself.
“The one that I did play, Mike O’Shea had been on both rosters and he was coming back to town and he was getting booed and yelled,” recalled Ptaszek. “The Hamilton fans are pretty relentless… Hamiltonians take tremendous pride in not being like Toronto and there’s some cultural things woven in; this football game brings them all out.
“Watching O’Shea go through that you kind of felt like there was more than just a football game going on here.”
Ptaszek suited up for a year in the Black and Gold as well, but his Hamilton legacy currently lies at Ron Joyce Stadium.
Ptaszek’s reputation for developing crafty offensive plays preceded him before accepting the position with the Ticats or McMaster. Fantuz was a member of the Western Mustangs when Ptaszek began his coaching career as the offensive coordinator at Wilfrid Laurier.
“They had a great offence and some unusual stuff that I hadn’t seen before,” said Fantuz. “I knew they had a lot of creativity from their coordinator. And then obviously when he came to Mac he had tremendous success, was well respected by the team, the league, and the whole community. I think we’re really fortunate to have someone like that who has all of that Canadian football experience.”
Ptaszek is now attempting to transition his craft to the CFL level. He describes the opportunity to continue his coaching career just minutes away from where he grew up and in the same city where he coached for a decade as ‘crazy special.’
“It’s all about family,” said Ptaszek. “My family was engaged at everything at Mac and they’ve been engaged in everything in the last nine weeks as well. It’s uncanny and eerie to me how similar the two organizations are. The Ticats run it like a big family and they’re committed to their employees and their players and their attention to detail is similar to McMaster.
“It’s like I really haven’t changed my work environment or my family environment.”
Ticats defensive back Mike Daly played football at McMaster and won a Vanier Cup under Ptaszek in 2011. He says that he nothing but respect and admiration for his former and current coach.
“He’s down to earth,” said Daly .“He’s just one of you… He treats players like family. I know that’s the old cliché, but with Coach P, that’s real. He’s helped other players and me immensely not only in football but in life.”