John Forzani
Encyclopedia
John Forzani is a Canadian
businessman, former Canadian Football League
(CFL) player, and CFL team owner. He is the Chairman and co-founder of the Forzani Group
.
Born in Calgary
, Alberta
, he received a degree in business administration from Utah State University
in 1971. In 1971, he joined the Calgary Stampeders
as an offensive lineman and was part of the winning team of the 59th Grey Cup
. He played football until 1976.
In 1974, he opened a 1200 square feet (111.5 m²) store called Forzani's Locker Room in Calgary. In 1994, he acquired Sports Experts Inc. for $20 million becoming Canada's largest sporting goods retailer.
In 2001, the Retail Council of Canada
recognized Forzani's work in leading the Forzani Group to outstanding business success. In recognition of this accomplishment he was presented with the Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the Year Award.
In 2005, he became a part owner of the Calgary Stampeders.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
businessman, former Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
(CFL) player, and CFL team owner. He is the Chairman and co-founder of the Forzani Group
Forzani Group
The Forzani Group Ltd. is a Calgary, Alberta based national sporting goods retailer in Canada. It operates under five corporate banners: Sport Chek, Atmosphere , Sport Mart, National Sports and Athletes World...
.
Born in Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, he received a degree in business administration from Utah State University
Utah State University
Utah State University is a public university located in Logan, Utah. It is a land-grant and space-grant institution and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities....
in 1971. In 1971, he joined the Calgary Stampeders
Calgary Stampeders
The Calgary Stampeders are a Canadian Football League team based in Calgary, Alberta and named in reference to the Calgary Stampede. The Stampeders play their home games at McMahon Stadium...
as an offensive lineman and was part of the winning team of the 59th Grey Cup
59th Grey Cup
The 59th Grey Cup was played on November 28, 1971, before 34,404 fans at Vancouver's Empire Stadium.The Calgary Stampeders beat the Toronto Argonauts on a slick rain covered field in an extremely close 14 to 11 match.-Box Score:First Quarter...
. He played football until 1976.
In 1974, he opened a 1200 square feet (111.5 m²) store called Forzani's Locker Room in Calgary. In 1994, he acquired Sports Experts Inc. for $20 million becoming Canada's largest sporting goods retailer.
In 2001, the Retail Council of Canada
Retail Council of Canada
The Retail Council of Canada was founded in 1963. It is a Canadian not-for-profit association representing more than 40,000 stores of all retail formats, including independent merchants, regional and national mass and specialty chains, and online merchants...
recognized Forzani's work in leading the Forzani Group to outstanding business success. In recognition of this accomplishment he was presented with the Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the Year Award.
In 2005, he became a part owner of the Calgary Stampeders.