Gourlay resigns as Ottawa Champions president

David Gourlay announced that he was stepping down from his position as president of the independent Can-Am League's Ottawa Champions on Friday.

February 16, 2018

Official Ottawa Champions Press Release

OTTAWA—The Ottawa Champions announced Friday that David Gourlay has resigned as president, and as a shareholder of the franchise, to pursue other opportunities.
 
Gourlay held the post since the team’s inception in 2014. He says he has made his mark on Ottawa’s baseball landscape and is excited to watch the Champions organization continue its growth in 2018.
 
“Over the past six years, I have dedicated time and energy to demonstrate to this community that professional baseball has a place in Ottawa,” Gourlay said. “I am very proud of what we have accomplished together and I thank the fans for supporting the Ottawa Champions.”
 
Gourlay began his effort to bring professional baseball to Ottawa in 2012, when he initiated a grassroots campaign titled Champions for Ottawa Baseball. The end result was a Can-Am League franchise – confirmed in the late summer of 2014 after a two-year effort.
 
Miles Wolff, Can-Am League commissioner and majority owner of the Champions, stated that Gourlay’s constant campaigning, advocacy, and leadership are why the Champions organization exists.
 
"David Gourlay is the reason that professional baseball is in Ottawa today,” Wolff said. “For the last six years, his dedication and passion have brought about the revival of RCGT Park and made it the center for baseball in the National Capital Region.”
 
“We give immense thanks to David.  He will always be part of the Champions family."
 
Gourlay was instrumental in securing the 2017 Can-Am/American Association all-star game, and also led the Champions partnership with the Miracle League of Ottawa
 
The Ottawa branch of the Miracle League is behind Eastern Ontario’s first fully accessible baseball diamond and sports facility, located on Navan Road in Orleans.
 
While pursuing other endeavours, Gourlay will remain as a board member of the Ottawa Champions Foundation.