Lonnie Maich

2023 Inductee – Football

Lonnie Maich came from a family of famous boxers and wrestlers, however, he chose football under the tutelage of Father Harvey Roach. After being on many winning teams at St. John’s College in the late 1950s, he transferred to St. Jerome’s in Kitchener. In May 1962, after winning the 100 and 200-yard dashes at University Stadium, Lonnie was approached by a scout from the Hamilton Tigers Cats.

While attending a rookie camp that spring, coach Jim Trimble asked him to join the team. Instead Lonnie chose to attend Kent State University, as one of the first Canadians to receive a full football scholarship to a major American college. After playing for four years as a left defensive end with the Kent State Golden Flashes, Lonnie graduated, and returned to Canada with his Cleveland born bride he met at Kent. He then went on to play professional football from 1968-1970 with the Hamilton Tiger Cats, on the defensive line with Angelo Mosca, John Barrow and Billy Ray Locklin.

In the early 1970s as a teacher at Pauline Johnson High School, Lonnie and Vince Bucci assisted John Chisholm in coaching the senior football team. With dedicated athletes, including Doug Jarvis, much success was achieved, culminating in winning the city football finals in 1972. 

From 1974 on, Lonnie made a career as a correctional officer for 25 years at Burtch Correctional Centre. After retirement, Lonnie and his friend Gerry Norris, operated Maich Appliance Depot (MAD), a play on Lonnie’s nickname at the Tiger Cats, Mad Dog Maich. 

Now fully retired and an active member of the Hamilton Tiger Cats Alumni, Lonnie looks back at all the wonderful people he has been fortunate to cross paths with and feels that if one has ability and desire, success will follow.