If the CFL Montreal Alouettes "aren’t more relevant or visible in the marketplace and media," new President Patrick Boivin "believes the groundwork is being laid and the pieces are starting to align," according to Herb Zurkowsky of the MONTREAL GAZETTE. Alouettes co-Owners Robert and Andrew Wetenhall did Boivin "no favors" when they named him as Mark Weightman's replacement in mid-December. Boivin inherited a team that has missed the CFL playoffs for two consecutive seasons, has not had a winning record since '12 and has not reached the Grey Cup since its last championship season in '10. The "average attendance, which stood at 23,000 as recently" as '13, "dipped to 20,337 last season." Boivin "hasn't made any monumental announcements." Nobody "has been fired." But Boivin has "changed how the administration office operates, altering the workflow and internal accountability levels." Boivin said that he "personally started phoning season-ticket subscribers who have recently cancelled or yet to state their desire to renew." Boivin: "Generally speaking, there's a good optimism in the marketplace ... although still a reserved optimism. Where we were an afterthought or not even part of the conversation before, we've become a bit more, if not top of mind, for those that are football friendly. We need to make sure we're leveraging that and hitting the iron while it's hot, as much as possible, knowing that it's still on paper." Zurkowsky notes Boivin comes to the Alouettes "with 16 years' experience." Boivin joined the Alouettes "after four years as" Dir of Recreation and Athletics at Concordia Univ. (MONTREAL GAZETTE, 4/7).
