When it comes to local sports options, one year makes a massive difference
No one is quite certain what future holds thanks to COVID-19, writes Kevin Mitchell
I looked back at our old sports calendar the other day, and confirmed what we already know: COVID-19 did a thorough job of dynamiting the local sports scene.
It's a wasteland out there, at least for the sports that people buy tickets to watch. Many local sports groups, to their everlasting credit, have or are working to salvage seasons — minor ball, golf, hockey, curling, and others.
But when you compare what we had one year ago at this time, to what we have now … this whole scenario would have been unfathomable back then.
We'd have thought it impossible. Preposterous.
This is the transcript from our sports-department calendar as the Oct. 26-27 weekend approached last year. This was what city sports fans had to look forward to:
Saturday:
Canada West cross-country championship in Calgary
Huskie men's hockey vs. Calgary Huskie soccer playoffs at home Huskie women's hockey at Calgary
Huskies football vs. Alberta Huskies volleyball vs. UBC Mustang Volley
Provincial high school soccer finals
Riders at Edmonton
Sunday:
Blades vs. Moose Jaw Contacts/blazers
PFC Final: Hilltops vs. Edmonton Huskies
One year later, our calendar is blank. Tightening COVID restrictions have forced the postponement of a provincial women's curling tour event in nearby Martensville this weekend, as well as a men's stop in Regina.
The Roughriders were supposed to host Hamilton on Saturday, but we all know what happened there.
This is where we throw in the disclaimer: Sports calendars are not the most important thing happening out there. This is a big world, and COVID disruptions have hit a lot of people in a lot of ways. Terrible, awful ways.
But it's okay to ponder those things in life that are missing, and to be frustrated at the very nature of this terrible beast. When will we get some normalcy? When will arenas open wide? When can we leave our masks at home, tucked in a drawer, knowing we're safe?
When will the Rush play a full season? The Blades? The Huskies? The Roughriders?
What do local Olympic and Paralympic-calibre athletes have to shoot for? Will we have a Summer Games in 2021, or a Winter Games in 2022?
Will Saskatoon host a PBR Canadian finals in 2021? What's going to happen with the Rattlers?
So many questions, and not an answer to be found.
I've talked to a wide array of athletes, coaches and executives over the last several months, and one steady theme is that of frustration. They don't know where this is going. Long-term planning is impossible. They just ... wait and see.
Leader-post sports columnist Rob Vanstone put it very well recently: “Airborne particles that we cannot see will dictate a future we still cannot envision.”
I ventured to Huskies football practice Wednesday night. Their season was cancelled, and they have no games to prepare for. But they've been on the field and in the clubhouse, putting in the work.
Wednesday, they moved back into Griffiths Stadium, which has a new playing surface. Players ooohed and aaahed as they sunk their cleats into the thick turf.
“There's so much negativity now,” said Huskies' slotback Colton Klassen. “No one knows what's going to happen in the next few months. This is just a little gift that everyone can enjoy.”
Added head coach Scott Flory: “This is just one of those things that's a best-of situation.”
That's a good way to do this COVID thing, I thought, as I left the stadium, removed my mask. A really good way.
But my calendar fingers are itchy. It would be nice to fill in some dates, and watch Saskatoon's vibrant sports burst open just like the good old days.
Oct. 26-27 of 2019 seems so very, very long ago indeed.