If I ran the marketing department for the Riders...

Further to my post yesterday, Rider Day in Saskatchewan, I was thinking on the old Nimbus truck today, am I the only one that lies awake at night thinking of ways to fill the park game in and game out? Because, wouldn’t 28,000 every game be so cool? I bet I am not the only one sleepless in Saskatchewan (yet another thing that makes us all the greatest fans in the country). With that in mind, if you could run the marketing department for the Riders what would your ideas be? Not that I am looking for a job because those in these roles are doing great work, but I just have these thoughts in my head. The nice thing now is I have this blog to let them out - plus my family is kind of tired of me going on about stuff all the time.

With all that said here are my two (for now) ideas:

1. (Your city here) day at Mosaic Stadium. Each home game would be, say, Yorkton and Melville day or Saskatoon day, etc. You could do special events at the game in honour of each city or town, local cheerleaders, and have something on the Sasktel Maxtron about each place. How about special buses running from each of the locations with discounted tickets if you live in the city of the day etc. Have the mayor of each community come to the game and be honoured etc. Lots of logistics, but a great way to involve more of the province at a home game.

2. I think there should be a Rider rep or two for each high school in Regina. It would be nice to do it elsewhere too, but just not feasible. Each school would have two players dedicated to being a part of their school; to attend pep rallies, be involved a bit with the football team, and other such activities. I know there are some players now that help out with this kind of stuff, but I am talking about a dedicated program.

I have other ideas, but that’s good for now. So what are yours? Email me at theracereport@gmail.com and I will post them over the weekend.

Staying with marketing somewhat, today’s Rider license plate count was 45. And yes, I do pay attention to the road while I am looking for these. In fact, I am sure I miss some due to paying attention. If you or your friend/relative/boss don’t have a Rider plate, the Rider Store in the Northgate mall has them. I was in for my weekly visit with the girls today and they pointed out a few new items as well. There are Rider antenna flags, ladies’ makeup bags in a few different colours but all with the logo on them, and also new (or new to me anyway) Rider Golf Balls. Titleist even. Marnie at the store said one person commented “They don’t need to be Titleist; I am not going to use them, they will just be for show.” I am sure some will use them as I think a few Rider fans may also be golfers.

Am I the only person that has thought, “If I won a big enough lottery I would buy the team”. And if that delusional thought wasn’t enough, I also thought I would even put myself in for one play. Special teams in an exhibition game maybe. This Saturday’s Lotto 6/49 is an estimated $27 million. Gotta get a ticket.

Tales from the Truck for Friday:

I was finishing up at one of my deliveries today and the lady said, “May 25th, only seven more months till Christmas.” I snickered a bit and said, “True, but more importantly, there’s only nine days till training camp.” She asked if I was going to be trying out and then we laughed and laughed.

6” pink stiletto high heels, fashionable sure, but good grief! that cannot be comfortable.

Gus at Uplands Pizza bakes fabulous bread, and the pizza is pretty darn good as well.

I deliver to the William Booth Special Care Home, and outside the doors of the residents, they have a small signs with their hand print and a note like: “These hands raised 10 children” or “These hands planted many a garden.” The one that caught my eye was Gladys P because her sign said “These hands have clapped for MANY a Rider game.” Way to go Gladys! Keep it up!

Uplands is the garage sale capital of Regina.

I met a very confused man today. On one ankle is an Eskimo tattoo and on the other a Canadiens tattoo. Darcy, if you’re reading this, you’re a nice guy, but come on man.

I ran into Mitch Blair at his place of employ today. He was down the hall a ways and he shouted “Hey, are you allowed in here?” I said, “Yes, but only if I am carrying 50lb water bottles around……up two flights of stairs. Did I mention I hate stairs?” Mitch is a good guy. I have always gotten along with him, and I look forward to our quick talks on the sidelines at the end of the home games. This encounter reminded me of another story. When I first started working for CKRM, not many media people knew who I was. One day I was in the President’s Lounge at Mosaic Stadium waiting for a press conference to start and I overheard Dan Plaster from Global say to someone (as best as I remember, this was three years ago) “ Did you hear the old guy they have doing roundtable now?” I am pretty sure that’s not an exact quote, but I know the “old” part was in there. I did not take any offence to it; in fact, it was fine by me, because as at least I know he was listening and I appreciate every listener. Dan is also a pretty good guy.

One more thing about me being old. A couple of years ago, my family was having dinner and somehow the topic of me going to turn 40 came up. My youngest son Ryley, 8 at the time says, “Dad, does that mean your going to be a virgin then?” Kids; ya gotta love ‘em.

Today’s lyrics:

“And I don't know where I'm going.
I just want to be left alone.
Well, when this train ends I'll try again,
But I'm leaving my woman at home"

Let the weekend begin!