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WINNIPEG -- As an undersized special-teams player, Wade Miller continually had to prove himself over 11 seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Its the same approach the five-foot-nine Winnipeg native is taking as the Bombers new chief executive officer. Miller, 40, was named the Bombers acting CEO as the struggling CFL club cleaned house Friday, firing GM Joe Mack and president/CEO Garth Buchko. "Since the age of 23, Ive been rolling up my sleeves, getting it done and delivering results," Miller said. "And yes, I even welcome the term acting CEO, because Im not afraid to prove myself and let my results speak for themselves. "To our fans, I want you to know Im committed to the heavy lifting required to put us on a new path and affect the kind of change that will lead us into a new direction. These arent empty words." Macks dismissal wasnt surprising as Winnipeg (1-5) is last in the East Division and 21-39 overall since he was hired in 2010 as GM and vice-president of football operations. But Buchkos departure -- he had been named president and CEO in January 2012 -- and subsequent hiring of Miller certainly were unexpected. The moves came a day after word leaked out of Winnipeg that Buchko had recently advised the teams board of directors to fire Mack. That didnt sit well with team chairman Brock Bulbuck, who announced the sweeping changes at Fridays news conference. "Not only was the unauthorized release of information extremely unfortunate, it was unethical and left Joe Mack in a position that we all find abhorrent," Bulbuck said. "Though we may never determine whether, in fact, a board member leaked the information or who it was, you can count on the fact that we take the situation extremely seriously. "If discovered we will take immediate corrective action to ensure that this type of behaviour is not tolerated in this organization." Miller boldly predicted there will be no such leaks on his watch. "It simply wont happen and I look forward to ensuring that it doesnt," he said. "We will work to ensure that those things do not occur again." Miller, who retired as a player in 2006, wasted no time getting started in his new role. Shortly after his appointment he phoned Mack, who was scouting NFL training camps, to tell him he was no longer with the organization. "Im an individual that moves quickly," Miller said. "A GM has the responsibility to win football games. "Lets call a spade a spade, under Joe Mack the record speaks for itself." Miller said he has spoken with head coach Tim Burke but hasnt yet met with assistant GM Kyle Walters, who was out of the office Friday. And the new CEO made it clear the buck stops with him. "Ive been given the mandate to be the CEO of the organization and I will run the organization the way it needs to be run," he said. "I will look to the board for counsel but I will make those decisions." Miller appeared in 167 career games with Winnipeg after being selected in the fourth round of the 95 CFL draft out of the University of Manitoba. The backup fullback was twice an East Division all-star and is the franchise leader in special-teams tackles with 184. Twice he led the league in that category. In 1996 and 97 Miller received the Ed Kotowich Good Guy Award, given annually to the Winnipeg player who best combines football ability with community service. He was inducted into the Bombers Hall of Fame in 2011 and is also the chairman of the clubs alumni association. Miller has also excelled off the field. Hes the founder and CEO of Pinnacle, a staffing solutions company, and oversees the physiotherapy division of Elite Performance, a sports-specific training and rehabilitation firm. He also owns Booster Juice franchises in Winnipeg. "Driven by his entrepreneurial ambitious spirit, Wade likes to build winning teams and were giving him the mandate to do just that," Bulbuck said. "Whether its in the locker-room, boardroom or reaching out into the community. "In him we believe weve found an unbeatable combination of passion, commitment and experience to set the Winnipeg football club on a new path." Mack was in his second stint with Winnipeg. He was the player-personnel director of the Bombers 84 Grey Cup-winning team and also earned a Super Bowl ring with the 92 Washington Redskins. Mack left Winnipeg in 87 to become a scout with the NFLs Atlanta Falcons before becoming Washingtons personnel director. He also spent time with the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns. Mack didnt enjoy immediate success upon returning to Winnipeg. The Bombers were a dismal 4-14 in 2010 but finished atop the East Division in 2011 with a 10-8 record. Winnipeg dropped a 34-23 decision to the B.C. Lions in the 2011 Grey Cup then started the 2012 campaign by losing its first four games. Mack fired head coach Paul LaPolice following the clubs 2-6 start but the general consensus following that move was if the club continued to struggle, Mack would be the next to go. Macks most questionable decision was to stick with veteran Buck Pierce at quarterback. When healthy, Pierce has shown he can lead the offence but he has been plagued by injuries since joining the Bombers in 2010. Pierce is now No. 3 on the depth chart behind new starter Justin Goltz and first-year CFL player Max Hall. "Im going to focus on football first to bring back the history and winning attitude we used to have because thats what our fans not only expect but deserve," Miller said. "But I also want you to know in our new home (Investors Group Field) we have to grow this beyond football to ensure and take advantage of offering our community a full range of opportunities available in this sport and entertainment facility. "Now were going to make things right on the field and create the best fan experience possible and that includes a competitive team." Colorado Avalanche Pro Shop . The Hall of Fame defenceman told Landsberg that he believes fighting still has a place in todays game, but thinks staged fighting needs be outlawed. Colorado Avalanche Store . The defending champion beat Gael Monfils of France 7-6 (6), 6-3, while second-seeded Andy Murray of Britain dispatched Edouard Roger-Vasselin, also of France, 6-3, 6-3. 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Its been over 30 years since Mal Meninga was tearing up the English rugby league scene but people around the Liverpool area have long memories.Its a region where Liverpool and Everton dominate the sporting conversation, but mention rugby league to one of the regions many loquacious taxi drivers and theyll invariably bring up Meninga.The Kangaroos coach was at the peak of his career when St Helens pulled off the biggest signing in the clubs history by convincing him to join for the 1984-85 season on a big-money contract.He repaid them with a whopping 28 tries in 31 games and still to this day is regarded as one of the greatest imports to play in the English game.I loved my time living and playing at St Helens, Meninga told AAP.I used to come down to Anfield, which is just down the road, quite a lot when I wasnt playing, to watch Liverpool play.Craig Johnston, the Aussie midfielder, was there and carving it up and we became good friends.Liverpool were the top dogs at the time and I became mates with many of the players whod come down and watch our games.Unfortunately I broke my arm and couldnt go back and play for a second season. But its a time I look back fondly upon.Signing Meninga was a far from straightforward process for Saints, who faced fierce competition for his services.Veteran broadcaster Ray French, who despite being the BBCs main rugby league commenttator at the time, was also a member of the St Helens board, and thanks to some help from Wayne Bennett managed to get the deal over the line.ddddddddddddSaints had said to me theyd signed Mal just before I went out to Australia for the 1984 Great Britain tour, French told AAP.I was staying at the Pacific Hotel in Manly, but when I came down for breakfast I saw Gary Hetherington, the Leeds chairman,He said: Ray, weve just signed Meninga.So I made up an excuse, left the breakfast table and shot straight upstairs to phone Mal.He assured me hed only sign for me and to meet him in Brisbane in three weeks time for the second Test.When I got up to Lang Park I bumped into Wayne Bennett and he said: Ray, Leeds are here, what do you want me to do?So Wayne distracted them by taking them out to the field for a chat.While he was doing that I grabbed Mal and he signed in the clubhouse.French believes he hasnt seen a better and more influential player than Meninga during his 60-year association with the game.He was fantastic for us, there had never been anyone like him before over here and there hasnt been anyone since, he said.There is also a humility to Mal. He has no edge to him and his word is his bond and we remain great friends to this day. ' ' '