Another piece of the Lions’ personnel puzzle fell into place this morning as the club introduced Roy Shivers as the new Director of Player Personnel at a media conference held at the Leos’ Surrey practice facility.
Over a career in professional football spanning more than 25 years, Shivers has served in executive roles with three CFL teams (BC, Calgary, Saskatchewan). Entering the CFL in 1983 as an assistant coach for the Lions, Shivers was promoted to director, player personnel after just two full seasons with the club.
Over the next seven seasons (1983-89), Shivers’ ability to deliver exciting and talented players to the Lions lineup would be a driving force in the organization’s run of six West Division Finals and three Grey Cup appearances – including the club’s 1985 championship run.
Shivers would depart the Lions den for the Calgary Stampeders (1990), followed by a brief stint with the short-lived expansion Birmingham Barracudas (1995). Most recently, Shivers served as GM and director, football operations for the Saskatchewan Roughriders until the conclusion of the 2006 season.
“Roy is a well-established and highly respected individual with a keen eye for CFL talent,” said Lions GM and head coach, Wally Buono. “I am pleased to have him join our organization and I believe our fans will be excited with the players he will be bringing our way.”
In his first Lions media conference since his departure in 1989, Shivers admitted that his return to the Black-and-Orange was a decision made after a year of completely removing himself from football. That period of time would see several people – “key influences in my life,” as he put it – pass away unexpectedly, changing his perspective on life, and ultimately, on football. Returning to the game, he decided, was a passion he wasn’t quite ready to give up.
Reuniting with Lions GM and head coach Wally Buono, “…one of the best coaches [he] has ever worked with,” is an opportunity for him to assist the club in building strength in key areas in ’08.