Riders’ Durant, Simon headline Dogs’ Breakfast
The University of Saskatchewan Huskies have invited Darian Durant and Geroy Simon over for breakfast.
Durant and Simon, fresh off the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ Grey Cup victory in November, are the guest speakers for this year’s Dogs’ Breakfast. Huskies football head coach Brian Towriss says he couldn’t stay competitive without the scholarship boost provided by the annual football fundraiser, an event he calls “absolutely critical.”
“I’m not sure where we would have been without the establishment of the (Huskies Football Foundation) and this breakfast over the years,” Towriss said Tuesday after breakfast details were unveiled. “It’s filled a major, major gap.”
The breakfast, held May 1 at Prairieland Park, kicks off the team’s spring camp.
Durant is the fourth starting quarterback to win a Grey Cup for Saskatchewan, while Simon — the CFL’s all-time leading receiver — scored two touchdowns in the title-winning match against the Hamilton TigerCats.
Last year’s breakfast, which featured 1986 NFL offensive rookie of the year Rueben Mayes, drew 2,000 spectators and raised $120,000 for player scholarships.
The breakfast also serves as a vehicle for the Huskies to introduce the year’s recruiting class to fans. Towriss says they’ve received 16 verbal commitments so far, with “three or four” offers still out there.
Last year’s Huskies placed third in Canada West with a 5-3 record and lost 37-36 to Manitoba in the opening round of the playoffs.
DOG TALES: Huskies fifth year left side men’s volleyball hitter Bryan Fraser was named Canada West third star of the week on Tuesday for his combined 32 kills, 17 digs and seven blocks in a weekend sweep over the host Calgary Dinos.