Harps & Angels

Saturday June 10th was the first ever CFL Preseason game held at new Mosaic Stadium.  Hubby and I left Saskatoon and arrived in Regina at 5:30.  We stuck to our normal game day routine of eating at either A&W or Wendy's...choosing Wendy's this time...and heading to Northgate Mall to catch the Football Express to the game an hour before game time.


We anticipated more people taking the bus shuttles for two reasons: they are now free and there are next to no public parking spots at the new stadium.  As new season ticket holders we received an email informing us that limited parking spots were available for the season for $300 and were first come first serve.  They sold out quickly, but we decided for the traffic hassle and money we were better off to stick with the Football Express.


We arrived at Northgate Mall at 6pm to a very busy parking lot.  I pitty the people who were just trying to go to Lowe's to pick up a few things because the parking was full of Rider fans.  We had to park near the bank, walk through a maze of cars and people and waited in line down the first isle of vehicles.  We didn't have to wait in line for long as the buses were coming frequently.  I thought back to 2013 and how we stood in line at Southland Mall to get to the Paul McCartney concert.  This was a far better experience bus wise, yet the excitement and butterflies were still certainly there.  I call those "yay it's football season" feelings.


The bus stopped right at the main entrance of Mosaic Stadium and directly in front of the fancy new Rider Store and Office.  Our gate was Number 2 which was directly to the right.  Going through security was quick and easy.  We walked on to the concourse to see the field open up before our eyes.  We stood against the railing...


...and I swear I heard the plucking of harps and angels singing.


I have never seen anything so amazing before in my life.  Okay, well I've seen Niagara Falls and that's pretty impressive too but this football stadium...Mosaic Stadium...it sparkled and twinkled in anticipation.  It's been there waiting for us to give it personality and here we were to open it up for the first time.  My eyes may have leaked a little.  I thought about last year how the confetti canon went off at Taylor Field plunging everything into darkness and how over yonder Mosaic Stadium was all lit up in it's glory.  I also noted that in the Fan Code of Conduct confetti canons are now banned.

We strolled around the concourse noting the locations of restrooms and concessions.  Hubby went to the upper level and much to his delight found the seats of Roughrider legendary running back George Reed and his wife.  I'm sure he probably got first pick of best seat in the house, however I expect every seat in this house is a good one.  Gone are the days of lugging in seat cushions for the metal planks or wooden bleachers.  Gone are the giant concrete steps of the East Side.  Instead, there are spacious seats complete with cup holders and enough room for spectators to come and go without spilling their wares on you.

We found our way to our seats in end zone section 126 easily although we had two separate couples try to convince us we were in their seats when they were meant for section 127.  I just sat in full awe watching players warm up and stretch but looking around at the wide open space. "It's really real." I kept telling myself.

It's real and it's spectacular.


Just to the right is the Riders tunnel.  I had no idea when I chose our season ticket seats.  We could see them standing and waiting. It wasn't the full on Bring 'Em Out but it was still pretty amazing to see it up close.  I loved how Willie Jefferson came "flying" out with his arms outstretched.  "This is all for us" I thought, "We built this."

It was very disappointing that fans decided to leave early.  The couple beside us said "We've seen how this ends before." as they passed by.  We stayed.  The game ended in a 25-25 tie against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers after rookie QB Marquise Williams got us the yards needed for Quinn Van Gylswyk to kick the field goal for the tie.  I laughed as the kids behind us shouted "Go Home!"  We start them young around here.  Since there is no over time in preseason the game was over.  Riders still undefeated at Mosaic Stadium!


It was quick to exit the stadium and we chose to go through Gate 3 to our bus.  We did have to wait in line for a time but it wasn't bad.  We chatted with a few others during that time.  Some people came from Winnipeg for the preseason game.  One fellow was wearing a Bomber jersey and a Rider hat.


The Football Express rolled slowly passed old Taylor Field at Mosaic Stadium.  I had a quiet feeling of sadness as it stood completely empty and deserted.  It too had been a place of sparkle and glory only 4 years ago in the 2013 Grey Cup.  It felt like we should be quiet and give it a moment of silence out of respect but that didn't happen. 


The Beast on Piffles will always hold great memories but we have a new home and new memories will be made.  It's where we can cheer, laugh at Gainer, do the wave and enjoy the game of CFL football together as one big family.  Canada Day is the official home opener when Canada's Team...our Saskatchewan Roughriders...will take to the field and christen Mosaic Stadium properly.  I'll be there to celebrate Canada's 150th.  It's going to be a party.  I hope to see you there. 

All Heart - All In

My Dad worked for the PA Daily Herald as Press Room Foreman for half of his life.  He had immense pride in his work and I enjoyed the excursions he would take me on when we'd pop in on a day off.  I remember the smell of the machinery and ink like it's hanging in the air in my dining room as I type this.  I remember the excitement as the first editions of the newspaper would roll off the presses.  I suspect this is why when it was time for me to go off to university I chose journalism...however, I was already teaching piano at that point and well, my heart wasn't quite in the whole university scene.


But I remember that feeling as the press bells sounded and it whirred to life....


Saturday I felt my little green heart whir back to life just like that.  We attended the Roughriders Fan Day at SMF Field.  The event started at 2pm with cheer leaders, Gainer and face painting.  At 3pm was the State of the Union address.  4 o'clock was what I was really there for and that was for the Scrimmage game.  We found some good seats relatively easy even though there was a very large crowd on hand.  I was doused in sunblock in the 30 degree sun...having learned that lesson the hard way at Griffith Stadium Monday.  Then, Rod Pederson came over the PA system "Introducing your Saskatchewan Roughriders!" and the crowd leapt to their feet, me included, clapping and cheering and I thought....I wish I had remembered my cowbell.


I'm not going to recap the scrimmage because frankly you can find that info almost anywhere.  What I will tell you was that it was fun fun fun.  The team looked totally improved from last season and even though there were time count violations they looked much more cohesive than before as well.  There's wasn't scrambling and it appeared as though every player knew their assignments.  There was a sense of camaraderie and that rippled through the crowd as we compared comments with our neighbours in the stands.  It was so much fun to see Chad Owens, Willie Jefferson, Duron Carter and others not only do their jobs but get that acceptance from Ridernation. 


After the game, Rider fans were invited to stand along the fence and the players would come to us for autographs and pictures.  Hubby and I found our spot beside a young man who had an injured wrist from a sport and was delighted when players asked him what happened.  The other side of me was a young boy who barely reached the height of the fence and he was very particular in who signed his shirt.  Myself, I got every players autograph except for Vince Young who for some reason didn't start at the end of the field and only signed half the autographs.  It was terrific and awe inspiring to meet these players up close...some sharing jokes and thanking us for coming out. 


There is a big connection between the Roughriders and the city of Saskatoon.  We give them our bikes to use for 3 weeks but we also give them our thumping green hearts.  We turn out in droves (pay the U of S to park) and tolerate the elements for a glimpse of the newest Riders.  We LOVE having you in our city and I hope you keep coming back.  For some of these people/fans, it's their only chance to see and meet a professional football player and I know it's my only chance to connect too.  I have American friends and family who ask how I manage to meet these players because it's practically unheard of to meet an NFL player.  We are so incredibly lucky and blessed to be able to see our Roughriders develop in front of our eyes over the training camp weeks.


We all love our Riders and there is nothing more fantastic than talking about it with fellow fans.  We meet up at Camp and discuss this and that.  It's a commonality in the grocery store lineup as well as at the football field.  Walking into SMF Field at Gordie Howe Bowl and seeing all the Rider green...well, it's so great to walk among my people.  Besides the music studio, Ridernation is where I fit in best.  We accept you for the green jersey, the green hair, the pirate patch, the watermelon helmet...the costume doesn't matter...you are one of us.


The next best family is the CFL family.  Sure, we have varying opinions and loyalties but we all end up cheering for the same teams come November.  The CFL family is bigger than just football.  We share in joy, pain and loss.  I've seen more fan bases come together this off season than any other to support our fans.  You might be a Bomber fan and come off as annoying but so does my older brother.  Under the football umbrella we can all come together and forget about our worldly troubles.  Isn't it awesome!?!


This Saturday is the pre-season game between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers at new Mosaic Stadium.  It will not be on any of the 5 TSN channels.  I'm pretty excited to see the stadium from my new seats in section 126.  It'll be amazing to once again chant Bring Em Out as the team runs on to the field, high five after touchdowns and ring that cowbell.  If you recognize me come and say hi - we are family!  Like Derek Dennis said to me at Fan Day, I am all in.  That thumping of excitement in my chest and butterflies in my stomach can only mean one thing...football is back!


Go Riders Go!