Leland ‘Tote’ Mitchell

Inducted as a builder: 1996

Leland ‘Tote’ Mitchell was one of the original founding fathers of the Winnipeg Football Rugby Club back in 1930. Mitchell had been involved with the Tammany Tigers rugby club and pushed to have the local teams  amalgamate to form one professional team.

Mitchell, who managed the Winnipeg Tammany Tigers to the 1925 Grey Cup – a 24-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators — was the team’s first manager in 1930 and was replaced a year later.

‘Tote’ Mitchell was a mainstay in Winnipeg sporting circles back then, prominent in giving endless hours to hockey, lacrosse, baseball and football. Mitchell and his brother both served in World War I – his brother gave his life and Tote lost an arm – and upon his return he turned his attention to sports. He was named the Bombers first honourary life member.