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| Tom Sargeant gets the Gatorade shower after the Canadian Bowl |
At the start of the year, I didn’t know what would be on
this list.
No longer working full time in the mainstream media, I
really thought I would not go through enough experiences to create this list.
To my surprise, I was able to make a whole bunch of memories mainly through
creating this blog and my freelance work. Reflecting on that fact gives me a
confidence boost that I do not have to be part of the mainstream media to have
moments where I feel like a rock star, which in recent years has been a
struggle.
Through most of this year, I felt I had to scrap, kick, claw
and fight for a just the smallest, tiniest, mini-break. I do keep trying to
push for a major break in both my career field and also the relationship front –
both of which seem they will never come.
One of the big things that drove me on was seeing this blog
surge past 32,000 page views. I never imagined I would get 5,000 views. During
interactions with you the readers, I get that upper where I feel like I matter.
I thank you for that.
I have so enjoyed the relationships that I have renewed
writing this blog and the new ones I have made.
I think one of the top feel good moments came on Nov. 7,
2015 after the Saskatoon Hilltops downed the Okanagan Sun 38-24 to win the
Canadian Junior Football League title game the Canadian Bowl.
I remember running on to the turf at Saskatoon Minor
Football Field, and I ended up hugging energetic and heart on his sleeve
Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant who said, “Thank you for everything you have
done for us.”
That meant a lot to me. The 2015 CJFL campaign marked the
first time I covered the Hilltops for a complete season. I respect those guys
so much, and I hold the coaches in such high regard that I will cherish that
moment always.
It felt good to matter, and you all make it happen by
reading this blog. Again, thank you.
Now without further ado, here are the memories. Wow, it is
cool to see how much happened.
10. UFC’s visit to Saskatoon
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| A young fan gets a picture taken with a UFC title belt. |
I had worked one mixed martial arts card on a minor
promotion, but I had never dealt with the UFC in any form before.
The UFC stopped in Saskatoon for the first time ever on Aug.
23, 2015 with its UFC Fight Night 74 card, and I covered it for The Canadian
Press, the Saskatoon Express and my blog. It was cool seeing the lead up spectacle
covering the open workout at O’Brians Event Centre, checking out the weigh-ins,
the UFC Experience fan festival and the fights themselves.
I befriended UFC staffers Carolyn Blakely, Neil Springer and
Stephanie Ura, and they all made working the UFC stop easy. The fighters were a
joy to deal with. They were all so engaging and all had cool stories to tell.
It was so cool to watch the fights from the floor at cage
side. Another highlight was helping Octagon Girl Chrissy Blair with her phone.
The action inside the cage was impressive, and the crowd of
7,202 definitely got their bang for their buck. The UFC stop in Saskatoon was
definitely a good time.
9. Valkyries and Riot play a conference final classic
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| Valkyries RB Sam Matheson runs through the Riot. |
In the short history of the Western Women’s Canadian
Football League, the Saskatoon Valkyries and the Regina Riot played arguably
the circuit’s greatest game on June 28, 2015, when they battled in the Prairie
Conference final.
The Valkyries entered the contest having won the WWCFL title
in each of the previous four years. The Riot were looking to knock off their
provincial rivals and were hosting the conference final at Mosaic Stadium.
Regina also thumped the Valkyries 49-9 in a regular season encounter in
Saskatoon, so one had to wonder if the Riot’s time to rise to the top of the
league had come.
The conference final was gritty clash that saw the Riot
slowly build what appeared to be a comfortable 28-7 edge early in the fourth
quarter. While Regina had a big lead, it never felt like Saskatoon was out of
the game.
One of those classic strong Mosaic Stadium winds was blowing
at full force in that contest, and the Valkyries had the wind at their backs in
the fourth quarter.
A long pass reception by Valkyries receiver Marci Kiselyk
set up an 18-yard touchdown run by running back Sam Matheson. Kiselyk caught a
two-point conference to further cut the Regina lead to 28-15 and the game’s
momentum had swung.
Matheson proceeded to run in scores from 28 and 25 yards out
to give the Valkyries a 29-28 lead with 1:26 to play. She accounted for all
four Saskatoon majors piling up 159 yards rushing on 14 carries.
After falling behind, the Riot responded gutting out a final
drive that was powered by the work of running back Carmen Agar and quarterback
Aimee Kowalski along the ground. With 15 seconds to play, Morgan Turner kicked
a 12-yard field goal to give the Riot a 31-29 victory.
The Riot advanced to the WWCFL title game in Winnipeg and
crushed the Edmonton Storm 53-6, but in all reality, the league title was
decided in that classic Prairie Conference final clash between the Riot and
Valkyries in Regina.
8. Labour Day Classic a feel good day once again
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| The Roughriders get set to plunge in for a touchdown. |
The Labour Day Classic at Mosaic Stadium always seems to be
a yearly highlight.
The 2015 edition made for the ultimate lost party weekend in
Regina. The host Saskatchewan Roughriders downed the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
37-19 for an 11th straight victory in this annual clash.
Cheering for the Roughriders, all you could feel was elation
after that game. The Riders were 0-9 at that point in the season, they have
just fired their head coach and general manager and they had a whole host of
key injuries. They were without their star starting quarterback Darian Durant,
who ruptured his left Achilles tendon in the opening game of the season.
It seemed like the Roughriders were never going to win a
game in 2015. After posting that convincing win over the Bombers, I remember
streaming off to Wayne’s World and dancing with girls I just met to David Lee
Murphy’s “Dust on the Bottle.” Wayne’s World is a backyard party spot at a
house situated across the street from Mosaic Stadium.
The party went long into the night at various locals in
Regina. For a small moment, it felt like everything was right.
7. A farewell to Beily’s
After 10 years in operation, Beily’s Ultralounge on 8th
Street closed its doors forever back in February, and its farewell weekend was
one to remember.
For most of its existence, Beily’s was the hotspot to be at
in Saskatoon before a whole bunch of pubs opened up in downtown.
NHL players often stopped in. For a number of years, there
was often an annual impromptu gathering there during the weekend NHLers came to
town to support the annual golf tournament to raise funds for Royal University
Hospital.
Beily’s relived its prime during its final weekend, which
was also the February long weekend. Friday and Saturday were packed leading up
to the final industry Sunday on Feb. 15, 2015. The final industry Sunday was an
epic send-off party.
A number of people that don’t normally go out did for Beily’s
final weekend. Most wished owner Jeff Ledding well.
After the last song played on Sunday night, you could feel
the finality. Staff members were hugging each other and hugging the patrons.
There were also a few tears shed.
I took a cab home that night, which also created another
weird memory. When I returned to recover my car the afternoon on the following day,
I remember looking at quiet and empty Beily’s building. The electric sign out
front thanked the city for a great 10 years.
It really hit me at that time I would never have a night out
at Beily’s again. It also hit me that would be the last time I recovered my car
the next day after spending a night out at Beily’s. It felt strange.
With that said, thanks Beily’s for all the great memories.
6. Motley Crue rocks Saskatoon one last time
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| Nikki Sixx plays during Motley Crue's last show at the SaskTel Centre. |
Finalities seem to be a theme for me in 2015, and Motley
Crue’s farewell tour stop in Saskatoon provided another epic memory.
On Dec. 10, 2015, Motley Crue played the SaskTel Centre for
the last time ever and Alice Cooper opened the show. Both legendary acts nailed
down iconic performances and the SaskTel Centre was pretty much packed.
I saw Motley Crue for the first time a couple of years back
to strike something off the bucket list. Their final performance in Saskatoon
is something I will always remember taking everything in from my floor seat.
Like the first time I went to Motley Crue, I went to the
show on a limo bus that left Outlaws with a big group of friends. The after
party back at Outlaws was pure fun.
You could also feel the finality. After Motley Crue
concluded their set with “Home Sweet Home,” I remember a realization hitting me
that I will never see this band play live again. I took a selfie on the floor
at the SaskTel Centre before departing to join up with my friends on the limo
bus.
I savoured the night as much as I could, but it seemed to go
by way to fast.
5. The final regular season night at The
Arena
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| The Tigers raise a banner to the rafters of The Arena thanking the fans. |
Wow, I will always remember the love from the people in
Medicine Hat on this night.
On March 21, 2015, the Medicine Hat Tigers played their
final regular season game at The Arena downing the Saskatoon Blades 6-2. I came
back to check out the final regular season game along with a huge number of
former players. The contest also marked the first time I had been to Medicine
Hat since moving away at the end of July in 2014.
I lived in Medicine Hat for 10 years, but my last three
years in the Gas City were filled with turmoil mainly stemming from work.
Driving to town, I remember feeling excited to get to Medicine Hat, which was
special. I could still recall return trips to Medicine Hat after visiting
family and friends in Saskatoon from 2011 to 2014 and constantly feeling fear
about how the roof will fall in.
When I pulled into the Hat, I immediately went to The Arena
to see the Tigers office staff. I remember hugging Tim Machan, who was the
Tigers creative services and digital media manager, and going into the building
to check out the video screens that were set up for that night’s festivities.
After checking into the hotel, I returned to The Arena for
game time and felt constant love from the moment I stepped in the building. It
took me 15 to 20 minutes to get from one end of the building to the other due
to shaking hands and visiting with fans. The former Tigers players that came
back for that night had similar experiences.
Fans brought out old pictures and memorabilia, which brought
back so many cool memories. I got to go to the Tigers alumni function that was
held after the game at Ralph’s, and soaked in sharing memories with a huge
group of friends I made from the 10 seasons I covered the team as a beat
writer. I wish that get together could have lasted forever.
4. One Voice Fundraiser – A night of love
those battling mental illness longed for
It was a night where it felt like dealing with mental health
issues was given a proper respect.
On July 24, 2015, I attended the One Voice Fundraiser at TCU
Place, which supports the Neural Health Project at the University of
Saskatchewan. The hope of the Neural Health Project is to develop a more
complete approach to the treatment of mental illness.
Since 2012, I have knowingly battled issues with anxiety. I
have long gone public about these battles, and during my journey on this front,
I frequently run into people that think mental issues are non-issues or fake
issues.
At the One Voice Fundraiser, mental health issues were
discussed normally in a comfortable and upbeat setting. For those that have
battles with those issues, you felt great and unafraid.
The event was spearheaded by Mike Babcock, who is the head
coach of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs, and Dr. DeeDee Maltman, who is the
medical director for the Centre of Integrative Medicine at the U of S. For me,
it was uplifting to see someone of Babcock’s statue champion the fact we need
to do a lot better in tackling mental health issues.
The two times I have visited with Babcock in my life have
been spectacular. The demanding coach has a big heart.
On the night, over $1-million was raised for the Neural
Health Project.
I was glad I could help in a small way what happened that
night with a big advancer article about my mental health story. That had been
one of the few nights in recent years I truly felt on top again.
3. Hilltops capture 18th CJFL
title
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| Austin Thorarinson and the Hilltops raise the Canadian Bowl. |
Since I moved back to Saskatchewan, one of the great things
that has happened to me is renewing ties with the venerable Saskatoon Hilltops.
In 2014, I wrote a handful of stories on the Hilltops, and I
had so much fun going to games and hanging around the team I made it a point to
follow them for a full season in 2015. As a side bonus, my posts on the
Hilltops rank right up there with my most viewed posts.
As the season progressed, it was fun to Hilltops improve
game in and game out. When they advanced to host the Canadian Bowl, I remember
waking up on the morning of Nov. 7, 2015 full of anticipation for what was to
come. I couldn’t wait to get down to Saskatoon Minor Football Field.
When I arrived, it was amazing to fans and former players
tailgating in the parking lot, which doesn’t normally happen at Hilltops games.
The stadium was packed, and you got to see all sorts of familiar faces like
former Saskatoon StarPhoenix sportswriter Cory Wolfe.
With 3:46 to play in the third quarter and the Okanagan Sun
holding a 21-17 edge on the Hilltops, I can still see Saskatoon quarterback
Jared Andreychuk hitting receiver Tyson Sawatzky on a 73-yard bomb pass play to
put the hosts up 24-21. The connection came two plays after the Hilltops had a
similar long touchdown pass called back due to a penalty.
Saskatoon pulled out a 38-24 victory to claim an 18th
Canadian Junior Football League title. The hang out party at the Hilltops
clubhouse afterwards was a blast.
The Hilltops are a first class team, and everyone from
coaches, players, parents, directors, support staff and cheerleaders are all
outstanding people to deal with. It was a blessing to around the whole 2015
championship campaign.
2. Saskatoon Stars shine brightly
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| The Stars celebrate winning a SFMAAAHL title. |
I must admit the only reason I discovered the Saskatoon
Stars midget AAA female hockey team was due to the fact my young cousin
Danielle Nogier is one of their players.
After you go to a couple of games, you kind of get hooked on
how upbeat, energetic and optimistic the Stars players are. The team also has
one of the best parent support groups I have ever seen as well.
Over the 2014-15 season, the Stars posted a 45-5 overall
record including play in Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA Hockey League regular
season and playoffs, the Mac’s tournament and the Esso Cup national
championship tournament.
They won the Mac’s title, the SFMAAAHL championship and a
bronze medal at the Esso Cup.
It was a special to be at the Agriplace Arena on March 25,
2015, when the Stars downed the Prince Albert A & W Bears 2-0 in Game 3 of
the SFMAAAHL champion series to sweep the best-of-five set.
That night proved to be one of the few of my many sports
memories that contained a family member. I got a lot of joy snapping a picture
of Danielle skating around the rink with the championship banner.
Actually, it seemed like the Stars players were bouncing
around all over the place with pure joy and happiness. You almost forget how
much energy a group of teenagers aged 14 to 18 have.
Entering 2016, the Stars are again first in the SFMAAAHL
with a 16-2 record. Danielle is the team’s captain playing in her final year of
midget eligibility. They might have a few more highlight moments coming up in
the next few months.
1. Cancer battles – RIP Cody Smuk and
Dominic Rooney
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| Cody Smuk at the Rutherford Rink on Jan. 30, 2015. |
The most memorable moments of 2015 also proved to be the
most emotional and heart wrenching.
In Saskatoon, former University of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s
hockey team forward Cody Smuk passed away after a battle with cancer that
lasted over a year. In Medicine Hat, little Dominic Rooney, who is the son of
Medicine Hat News sports editor Sean Rooney, passed away after a two-year
battle with acute myeloid leukemia just shy of his third birthday.
Both deaths were way too sad and way too soon.
Since moving to Saskatoon at the end of July in 2014, I had
been around to see most of Smuk’s battle. Smuk was actually the first person I
interviewed when I moved to Saskatoon as part of a feature story for the
Saskatoon Express. I was impressed with how deep of a person he was during that
one-on-one talk at the ancient Rutherford Rink and how optimistic he was in his
fight.
It was inspiring to see the community of Saskatoon rally
again and again to help Smuk. I can still remember the warm fundraising night
at the Rutherford Rink, and the big send off for him at the airport when he
traveled to Germany for alternative treatment. Actually, my two most viewed
posts ever are about Smuk.
Smuk passed away on June 25, 2015 at age 26. I still feel
for his father, Marty, mother, Darla, sister, Brittnie and fiancée, Stephanie
Vause.
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| Items from Dominic Rooney's celebration of life. |
From a distance, I watched for the last year how Dominic
Rooney’s battled played out. When I moved away from the Hat, he was in more of
a stable spot, and his father, Sean, and mother, Trish, were pretty happy.
It was cool to see how Medicine Hat rallied around the
Rooney family. I think everybody realized how unfair that whole situation was.
When Dominic was given just weeks to lived, the little guy
managed to keep kicking for 36 weeks. He managed to go on a trip to Vancouver
and one to Orlando.
It was impressive to see how much Sean and Trish grew through
this whole situation, but it is definitely something you don’t want anyone to
go through.
Dominic passed away on Sept. 3, 2015. I hope Sean and Trish
have been able to find a new normal.
The celebrations of life for both Cody Smuk and Dominic
Rooney were spectacular. Both will always be remembered.
If you have any
comments you would like to pass along about this blog post, feel free to email
them to stankssports@gmail.com.
