LACROSSE BUILDER PASSES-MO RENAUD

Mo has been a significant face and voice in the lives of

Winnipeggers. He was the General Manager of the Red River

Exhibition/ Manisphere for over 30 years. Over that same

period of time Mo was the public address announcer for the

Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Many considered him the dean of

Canadian public address announcers. The City of Winnipeg

chose Renaud to be the director of the celebration of the city's

centennial in 1974.

What is not known about Mo is that he was an avid promoter of

lacrosse in Manitoba. His involvement with the game of lacrosse

started in the mid 1940's as a player for the Border Athletic

Club. After finishing his playing career he became actively

involved with the Manitoba Lacrosse Association in a number

of different roles. His most significant role at the executive

level was directing the publicity and promotion of the game in

Winnipeg. He was responsible for getting the game information

to the city's two daily newspapers, so fans of the game could

read the results in the next day paper.

In 1955 Mo directed a promotional scheme to develop minor

lacrosse in East Kildonan, Elmwood, Isaac Brock, Lord

Roberts, Norquay, Deer Lodge, and St. Boniface. Many of these

areas had lacrosse in the 1940's but the game fell out of favour

and it was felt the game could e revived. The scheme felt it was

important to introduce the game to aboriginal youth, so clinics

were held in a number of residential schools located in and

around Winnipeg. Mo arranged an equipment drive to provide

sticks and equipment for these schools. In 1960, Mo was also

part of a plan to develop a minor field lacrosse program across

the city of Winnipeg. The leagues operated for a few years.

While most of this work was done behind the scenes, Mo was

most visible in the game of lacrosse as a referee. He was referee-

in-chief and a referee through the 1950's. As an experience

and respected official, Mo was assigned to officiate the Senior

League. This proved to be a thankless task at times, as the

newspapers report on Renaud being "slugged" by a disgruntled

coach and "shoved" by 2 players. These incidents did not deter

Moe, as he continued to be ardent promoter of the game and a

protector of the players. In researching candidates for the hall of

fame- Mo was one of the most common names put forward by

the players of the 1950's- an indication of the respect he earned

as an official.

AT MO'S REQUEST THERE WILL BE NO FUNERAL.