Jon Cornish

Jon Cornish is recognized as one of the top running backs in Canadian Football League history. Selected 13th overall in the CFL Draft after playing college football at the University of Kansas, Cornish arrived in Calgary with a strong football background. While at Kansas, he set the school's single-season rushing record with 1,457 yards, was named First Team All-Big XII in his senior year, and earned Team Offensive MVP honors in both his junior and senior seasons. He graduated with a degree in psychology before beginning a professional career that established his legacy in Canadian football.

Cornish accumulated significant career statistics despite serving as a backup to starting tailback Joffrey Reynolds for the first four-and-a-half seasons of his career, during which he contributed on special teams, recording 79 special-teams tackles and 532 kickoff-return yards. After becoming the starting running back, he broke Normie Kwong's single-season rushing record for a Canadian with 1,457 yards, then surpassed his own record the following year with 1,813 rushing yards. Cornish led the CFL in rushing for three consecutive seasons and was selected as a Western All-Star for four straight seasons and a CFL All-Star for three straight years.

Cornish received several major awards, including being named the CFL's Most Outstanding Player and winning three consecutive Most Outstanding Canadian Awards. He became only the third Canadian to be chosen as the league's top player, joining Hall of Fame inductees Russ Jackson and Tom Gabriel. Cornish also received the Lou Marsh Award as Canada's Male Athlete of the Year, becoming the fourth Canadian football player to earn the honor. In total, he played 140 regular season games and 12 playoff games, winning two Grey Cups and participating in another with the Calgary Stampeders. He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame as a first-ballot selection.

Off the field, Cornish has developed a career in finance as an investment advisor with RBC Dominion Securities, beginning his business pursuits while still playing professional football. After retiring, he became an advocate for brain health, drawing from his experiences as a professional athlete. Cornish founded the Calgary Black Chambers, which has raised significant funds for community initiatives, and his leadership led to his selection as the 15th Chancellor of the University of Calgary, making him the youngest chancellor in Canadian history. He also collaborates with various non-profits and charities in Calgary, including serving as an emcee for Alberta Children's Hospital and working with at-risk youth for Wood's Homes.

Cornish's impact continues through the sport with the creation of the Jon Cornish Trophy, awarded annually to the top Canadian-born player in NCAA football. As a keynote speaker and CFL Hall of Famer, Cornish shares insights on peak performance, leadership, mental toughness, and building a winning culture, drawing from his experiences in professional football and business. His journey from special-teams player to top athlete, and from the football field to the boardroom and university leadership, positions him as a knowledgeable voice on resilience, leadership, and community engagement.