B. C. Lions’ Waterboys Club members’ cups are full
Veteran centre Angus Reid makes special guest appearance at 10- year celebration for group that keeps growing
SCENE & HEARD: At the urging of the late Bob Ackles, the B. C. Lions’ Waterboys Club was formed in 2003. It was the year Ackles returned to Vancouver as CEO and president to rescue a Canadian Football League franchise in trouble.
In the beginning, a handful of community business leaders jumped on board as founders of the Waterboys Club: Tom Malone, Moray Keith, Jamie Pitblado and Dennis Skulsky.
The membership has grown from that original four to an active 350 with another 200 on database. They have been honoured with a CFL Commissioner’s Award and at Wednesday’s 10th anniversary breakfast at the Convention Centre the demographic ranged from six- and eight- year- old brothers Trevor and Taylor Snell with their dad Peter, to 87- year- old Nissan executive Frank Affettuso. There are Watergirls and junior Waterboys. It is what Ackles envisioned a decade ago.
At each breakfast gathering Lions’ vice- president George Chayka introduces a special guest MC. After Wednesday’s performance, veteran centre Angus Reid just might have worked himself into a regular part- time gig with a little help from his friends. While Reid was interviewing teammates and coaches, Leos’ general manager Wally Buono was standing at the back of the room making a series of hand signals. “Look at him,” Reid quipped. “Always the coach; still telling me what to do.”
Buono’s message was legitimate. He was reminding Angus that during an interview with a hand- held microphone, it is customary to share it with the person he’s interviewing so the audience could hear two voices, not just one!
HERE ‘ N’ THERE: Coquitlamborn pro hockey player Wade MacLeod was back at his Boston- area home 48 hours after brain surgery Tuesday to remove a tumour. MacLeod, 26, suffered a seizure while playing for the AHL Springfield Falcons on Feb. 17 after taking a hit to the head. “He’s doing amazingly well,” his mom Colleen reports. “The surgery was a complete success and his latest MRI came back perfectly normal. The love and support Wade and our entire family have received these last six weeks has truly been overwhelming.”
SHORT HOPS: Abbotsford Heat hockey fans would have preferred the AHL Calder Cup championship trophy in their possession but are content to settle for the Stanley Cup’s one- day presence at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre on Sunday, April 7. Lt.- Gov. Judith Guichon and Hall of Fame broadcaster Jim Robson will share the 3 p. m. ceremonial faceoff when a team of former NHLers goes up against some of the best military players assembled from across Western Canada. It’s the 2013 Heroes Hockey Challenge in support of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Foundation that provides needed funds for the benefit of families of the fallen, wounded soldiers and veterans. More information at heroeshockeychallenge.com
END ZONE: Baseball caps and sunglasses did the trick as Canucks Zack Kassian ( Yankees hat) and Chris Tanev ( Blue Jays) strolled in the afternoon sunshine along Robson Street Thursday completely unnoticed by hundreds of other pedestrians.