14

The 1960s was going to be a promising decade for Calgary. In 1960, the Stampeders moved into their new stadium, McMahon Stadium on August 15th. In their first game there, Calgary hosted the previous year Grey Cup Champions; the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. In their first game at their new stadium, Calgary lost 38-23. The Stampeders first win at McMahon was two weeks later when Calgary defeated Saskatchewan 23-15 also this was their first win of the season.

15

McMahon Stadium in Calgary.
1960-2000
McMahon Stadium, Calgary, Alberta, Canada


16

In the 1961 season, Calgary improved when they went 7-9 in the season and returned to the playoffs. Their opponent in the semi-final was Edmonton, and in this series Calgary defeated Edmonton 27-26 in their two game series. In the West final, Calgary played against Winnipeg in which they lost to the Blue Bombers in their best of three series. With each season, Calgary was winning more games.

17

During the 1962 season Calgary once again made the playoffs with a 9-6-1 record. But like last season, Calgary could not defeat Winnipeg in the west final best of three series. In 1963, the Stampeders went on to the West final with a 10-4-2 record, but like before, Calgary could not reach the Grey Cup as they lost to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the semi-final. As the decade progressed, the win total rose as well. In the 1964 season, Calgary finished the season with a 12-4 record, and once again made it to the West final, and once again like previous years Calgary could not make it far in the playoffs. The same thing happened in the 1965 season. The next time Calgary made the playoffs was in 1967, when once again the Stampeders finished with a 12-4 record. During the playoffs that season, Calgary once again failed to make it to the Grey Cup, losing to Saskatchewan in their best of three series. In 1968, with another winning season Calgary finally made it over the hump and advanced to the Grey Cup, their first appearance since 1948. In the Grey Cup, Calgary lost a close game to the Ottawa Rough Riders in Toronto 24-21.

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Grey Cup program from the 1968 game.
30 November 1968
CNE Stadium, Toronto, Ontario, Canada


19

In 1969, Calgary finished with a 9-7 record and once again made it to the West final. In the West final, Calgary was defeated by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the best of three series. Everyone in Calgary considered this season a success.

In the 1970 season, Calgary finished with a 9-7 record and qualified for the playoffs and made another appearance to the Grey Cup. In the Grey Cup game, Calgary once again lost to Montreal 23-10.

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In the 1971 season Calgary returned to the Grey Cup with a 9-6-1 record when they played the Toronto Argonauts in which Calgary won their second Grey Cup in history by the score of 14-11.


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1971 Grey Cup game ticket.
28 November 1971
Empire Stadium, Vancouver, British columbia, Canada


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The Stampeders celebrating their Grey Cup victory.
28 November 1971
Empire Stadium, Vancouver, British columbia, Canada


23

From 1972 to 1978, Calgary did not make it to the playoffs. Their best record in those seasons was 6-10, when it happened in 1972, 1973, 1974, and the 1975 season. Their worst record was 2-12-2 in the 1976 season which was their worst record in team history. In 1978, Calgary returned to the playoffs with a 9-4-3 record and made it to the West Finals and ultimately lost to the Eskimos 26-13. The following season in 1979, Calgary once again made it to the playoffs, but like last season ultimately lost to the Eskimos in the West Final.

24

In the 1980s, Calgary once again was slightly improving in the league. In the 1980 season, the Stampeders made the playoffs in which they played Winnipeg in the semi-final game, and lost the game 32-14. The Stampeders next playoff appearance was in 1982 where Calgary played Winnipeg. Much like the 1980 playoffs, the Stampeders lost 24-3. From 1983 to 1985, the Stampeders did not make the playoffs. By the time the 1987 season came fans were upset with the lack of success Calgary was achieving. It was so bad that the Stampeders almost folded.

With the help of former Stampeders great Norman Kwong, Calgary's team was saved. During that time fans was still reluctant to come back because of the constant losing that the club had to endure. The next two times Calgary made the playoffs was in 1987 and 1989. During the two playoff runs, Calgary lost to Edmonton and Saskatchewan respectively.

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Normie Kwong.
1 October 1998
McMahon Stadium, Calgary, Alberta, Canada


Credits:
David Lazarowych
Calgary Herald

26

In the 1990s, Calgary made it to the playoffs every year with such star player Doug Flutie with five Grey Cup appearances.

In those appearances Calgary won the Grey Cup it in 1992 against Winnipeg, when they defeated the Blue Bombers 24-10 inToronto winning their third Grey Cup. Calgarys's next Grey Cup was in 1998, when the Stampeders defeated the Tiger-Cats 26-24 in Winnipeg. The 1998 Grey Cup was a special one because of the injuries that happened during the season to most of their starters, and how they overcame those injuries.