1973 HOME PLAYOFF GAME STILL BAFFLING
Robservations …
There has been considerable discussion about whether the Saskatchewan Roughriders will sell out Sunday’s CFL West Division semifinal against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. A postseason clash of traditional rivals would seem to be an automatic draw, considering the reliably voracious appetite for Labour Day Classic tickets. And how could the first playoff game at new Mosaic Stadium not be sold out, regardless of the weather?
If the Roughriders are close to a sellout, or if one is ultimately achieved, Bombers fans — who are expected to have a four-figure impact upon the gate — should take a bow.
This year’s worst-case scenario, though, is a crowd exceeding 31,000 at the 33,350-seat pigskin palace. The worst case, period, was in 1973 when a mere 9,373 spectators watched Ron Lancaster, George Reed and the Roughriders defeat the B.C. Lions 33-13 in the Western Conference semifinal.
Regina Leader-post legend
Bob Hughes wrote the following in the sports section of Nov. 13, 1973: “I know football fans who told me there was just no way they were going to pay $10 to watch a semifinal football game.” Now the facility fee is more than that!
The great Bob Strumm — yes, he used to be a sports writer — had this to say in the Saskatoon Starphoenix of 11/13/73: “Don’t blame the weather, which was a disgustingly pleasant 22 degrees (Fahrenheit) and blowing. It was only three years ago when a near full house sat through a blizzard to watch Calgary eliminate Saskatchewan on a windblown field goal which is still under investigation. The fault obviously laid with the escalation of ticket prices, a playoff manoeuvre which has become characteristic of professional sport but has not yet endeared itself to Saskatchewan football fans. Sideline seats were inflated to $12 and $10 from the regular $6.50 and downward, and included an icy perch on uncleaned planks.”
It will always baffle me that the 2013 West semifinal, in which the Roughriders defeated B.C. 29-25, was played before 30,942 spectators when Taylor Field — thanks to temporary seating for the
Grey Cup — could accommodate 44,000-plus. How many people wish they had attended Darian Durant’s signature game?
If you have a chance on the weekend, say hello to a very nice man named Bob Irving, who will be broadcasting Sunday’s game on Winnipeg radio station CJOB. Bob completed his second year as the voice of the Bombers on Nov. 8, 1975, when Saskatchewan and Winnipeg last met in a playoff game in Regina — where he grew up. He is now in his 45th season of describing Bombers games with unsurpassed skill and class.
Nice person who deserves a national award: The University of Regina Rams’ Sheldon Neald is the Canada West nominee for the Gino Fracas Award, which recognizes the top volunteer coach in the country. Neald, the Rams’ offensive line coach, is an eminently worthy nominee — someone whose selfless dedication has helped so many players and teams over the years.
More nice people who deserve a plug: Brendon Labatte, Laurie Burgess, Ross Vanstone, Dwight Vanstone, Pam Schwann, Lisa Schwann, Aaron Anderson, Keegan Kaytor, Mason Novik, Eric Anderson, Ken Jefferson, Jodie Bray, Bob Jolly, Weston Dressler, Geoff Currier, Darren Cameron, Abby Hanson, Angela Tillier and Kelly Munce.