Former Regina Rams coach to be inducted into Canadian Football Hall of Fame

Frank McCrystal has announced he's retiring as head coach of the University of Regina Rams football club. (File photo)

Frank McCrystal, a former head coach of the Regina Rams who was part of seven Canadian Bowl winning teams will be inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame this year in the builders’ category.

McCrystal joined the Rams as its head coach in 1984 when the team was still a part of the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL). He remained with the program through its transition to collegiate play with the University of Regina in 1999 and would stay on until his retirement following the 2014 season, which included leading the Rams to the Vanier Cup game in 2000.

During his time with the Rams, McCrystal received the Gord Currie award for CJFL Coach of the Year in 1993 and 1998. He also won the Frank Tindall Trophy in 2007 as Canadian Interuniversity Sport Coach of the Year.

“I will look back at my time with this organization with great pride for what we accomplished and fond memories of the people I worked so closely with over the last three decades,” McCrystal said in 2014 after announcing his retirement.

McCrystal was inducted into the Regina Sports Hall of Fame in 2021.

McCrystal and the rest of the class of 2025 will be inducted on Sept. 19, the night before the CFL’s Hall of Fame Game in Hamilton between the Tiger-Cats and Edmonton Elks.

Glen Johnson will also be inducted into the builders’ category.

Entering the players’ category in 2025 will be Bryan Chiu, Jovan Olafioye, Jermaine Copeland, Scott Flagel and Darryl Hall.

Paul Friesen and Judy Owen will be inducted in the media wing.