A Dunedin, Florida native, and William and Mary Economics graduate, Michael “Pinball” Clemons moved to Canada in 1989 and has proudly called it home ever since. One of the most recognizable faces in the Canadian Football League (CFL), Clemons has the unique distinction of running for more yards than any player in professional football history. He also has the exclusive honor of being the first Black Head Coach to win the esteemed Grey Cup. Throughout his career, Clemons has won seven championships in various capacities as a player, coach, and executive. Currently, he continues this pursuit as the General Manager of the Toronto Argonauts Football Club. His illustrious resume has earned him a place in both the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame and the Canadian Football League Hall of Fame.
Off the field, Clemons is known for a personality that is as electric as his style of play, and a heart that is dedicated to community service. He is the most humbled to have been recognized numerous times for the way he prioritizes philanthropy, including being a two-time recipient of the CFL’s Man of the Year Award, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for Community Service, the Meritorious Service Medal, and membership in the Order of Ontario. His charitable efforts matured in 2007, when he co-founded the Pinball Foundation. The foundation has since built more than 200 classrooms in developing countries, and currently focuses locally on providing educational and career opportunities to marginalized youth in the Greater Toronto Area.
Despite his many accomplishments, he considers his greatest acclaim to be his role as the proud husband of Diane, the father of his three daughters—Rachel, Raven, and Rylie—and a joyful grandfather.
Mike joined World Rugby in April 2022 as the High Performance Elite Education Manager, with a focus on the implementation and management of Capability Development & Expertise Programmes. The aim of these programs is to improve the capability and expertise of staff working with National teams and HP Programmes around the world. Before joining World Rugby, Mike held a number of roles at NZ Rugby since 2003. He was most recently the Head of Rugby Training and Education, responsible for coach and referee training and development across NZ. Mike worked in the NZ Rugby High Performance team from 2003-2011 in both coach and player development roles and was also responsible for sport psychology and leadership development for elite teams. As a part of these High Performance roles, Mike led the recruitment, appointment and development processes for Super Rugby and National Team coaches. Between 2011 and 2015 he left NZ Rugby and joined Rugby Canada as the General Manager of Rugby Operations and Performance, responsible for all national teams and domestic competitions. Prior to working full-time in rugby, Mike spent a decade as a lecturer in sport coaching, sport psychology and sport management at Massey University.
The Ontario Soccer Summit is Ontario Soccer’s pinnacle annual personal and professional development and networking event with a track record of modern and meaningful content and leading speakers unrivalled in the country. We are delighted to confirm an extraordinary trio of keynote speakers that will truly change the game for all in attendance at the Ontario Soccer Summit 2024.
Event app presented by HUB International