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“I would think the important thing is that he’s still been involved with the league — the mother ship is the Canadian Football League, and Wally has been a solid contributor to the league over the years,” Schwartz said. “Whether they’re with the Stampeders or the Lions or whoever, I thank them for their contributions to the Canadian Football League. I think that’s what’s important.

“And Wally certainly personifies the true passion for our great league.”

Schwartz certainly knows Buono well having shared in helping mould the Stampeders into the juggarnaut it is today.

“I certainly consider it an honour and a privilege to have worked with Wally,” Schwartz said.

“Although we always didn’t agree on everything, we always agreed to do what was best for the Stampeders. We always worked with a well-thought out plan that resulted in success, and I’m happy to say we were a couple of guys who certainly complemented each other over his time with the Stampeders.”

Schwartz was first an executive with McMahon Stadium and later the Stamps vice-president and president during the Buono tenure in Calgary — one that saw the club secure three Grey Cups in 1992, 1998 and 2002.

“There’s nothing like winning the Grey Cup,” said Schwartz, who also served as an assistant coach in the late ’70s and early ’80s with the Stamps and as a general partner with the club when the new ownership group took over from Michael Feterik in 2004.

“Just by relying on common sense and understanding, we were able to certainly accomplish a lot,” Schwartz said. “And Wally was certainly a big part of the success of this organization for a longtime, so I don’t think his success and contribution to Stampeder football will be soon forgotten.