The Calgary Colts Football Club is proud to announce the hiring of Elie Bouka as the organization's new Head Coach, ushering in an exciting new chapter for the program.
Bouka brings an impressive football resume at both the national and international levels. A former defensive back, he played U sports (CIS) football with the University of Calgary Dinos, where he established himself as a high-level competitor known for his athleticism, football IQ and leadership.
Boukas' professional career began when he was signed as a free agent by the Arizona Cardinals in 2016. Although injuries impacted his time in the NFL, his perseverance and professionalism remained evident throughout his career. He later signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018, further adding to his NFL experience.
In the Canadian Football League, Bouka was selected by the Saskatchewan Roughriders, where he played the 2017 season. He returned to the Roughriders in 2019 and remained with the organization through 2021. In 2022, Bouka signed with the Calgary Stampeders, bringing his professional playing career full circle back to the city where he began his U-Sports career.
Now transitioning into a leadership role on the sidelines, Bouka is eager to invest his knowledge, experience, and passion in the next generation of athletes. “Elie represents everything we value in the Calgary Colts- resilience, professionalism, and a deep understanding of the game”, said Mike Jukic, President of the Calgary Colts. “His experience at the university, CFL, and NFL levels gives him a unique perspective that will elevate our program. We are confident he will inspire our athletes, strengthen our culture, and lead the Colts with integrity and purpose”.
Bouka’s appointment reflects the Colts’ ongoing commitment to excellence, development, and community leadership within Calgary’s football landscape. His firsthand experience navigating elite levels of competition positions him to mentor athletes both on and off the field. Bouka says returning to Calgary in a leadership role is especially meaningful. “Calgary football played a huge role in shaping who I am today”, said Elie Bouka, “I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back to the game and to help develop young athletes, not just as football players, but as people. I’m excited to get to work and build something special with the Colts”.
The Calgary Colts look forward to the impact Bouka will have as Head Coach and are excited for the future of the program under his leadership.
Mike Jukic
President, Calgary Colts
president@calgarycolts.com
A pair of national championships and an impressive list of alumni who advanced to professional careers stand as clear milestones in the history of the Calgary Colts. Yet the true measure of the organization has always extended beyond wins and accolades. For generations, the Colts have existed to give young men aged 17 to 22 the opportunity to compete at a high level while learning discipline, accountability, and leadership through football.
The present-day Calgary Colts evolved from the North Hill Colts, who competed in the Alberta Junior Football League alongside the Calgary Mohawks, Edmonton Huskies, and Edmonton Wildcats. From those early beginnings grew a program rooted in community and continuity, one that has become a lasting part of Calgary’s sporting fabric and a legacy that now spans generations.
Established in 1965, the Calgary Colts are a non-profit junior football organization based in Calgary, Alberta, competing in the Prairie Football Conference (PFC) of the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL). The team plays its home games at Shouldice Athletic Park and proudly represents more than 60 years of junior football tradition in the city.
At the heart of the Colts’ history is the late Keith Evans, whose lifelong commitment to the club shaped its identity and values. More than any single championship or season, Keith’s influence defined what it meant to be a Calgary Colt. His leadership, dedication, and belief in developing young men through football continue to guide the organization today, ensuring that his legacy remains the foundation upon which the Colts move forward.
The Keith Evans Legacy Sponsors are recognized as year-over-year supporters of the Calgary Colts, providing ongoing sponsorships and donations that form the backbone of our organization. Their consistent commitment is critical to our ability to operate, develop young athletes, and field a competitive team each season. Quite simply, the Colts would not be on the field without their continued generosity and belief in our program.
This legacy of support is fittingly named in honour of Keith Evans, a steadfast champion of junior football and one of the most influential figures in the history of the game in Alberta. Keith founded the Calgary Colts in 1965 and dedicated more than five decades to the organization, including an extraordinary 50-year tenure as General Manager from 1969 to 2019. His passion for player development, community involvement, and growing the game left an indelible mark on the Colts and Canadian junior football as a whole.
Keith’s remarkable service was recognized with numerous honours, including CJFL Executive of the Year, Calgary Booster Club Sportsman of the Year, CJFL Life Member status, the Ed Henick Award for outstanding contributions to junior football, and inductions into both the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. The Keith Evans Legacy Sponsors carry forward his vision, ensuring that his dedication to the Colts and to young athletes lives on for generations to come.
