Roughriders unveil centennial plans
Last Updated: Wednesday, September 9, 2009 | 8:34 PM CT
CBC News
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Enthusiastic football fans celebrate a Saskatchewan Roughriders victory. (CBC)The Saskatchewan Roughriders football club marks its 100th anniversary in 2010, and the organization has big plans for the centennial year.
Jim Hopson, president and CEO of the team, announced Wednesday that a special anniversary documentary will be produced, featuring some of the more memorable moments in the CFL team's history.
"I'm really excited about that documentary," Hopson told reporters in Regina. "That permanent record about what the team has been and done."
'We were taking wheat for tickets.'—Roughriders CEO Jim Hopson recalls lean years
The team will also hold a provincewide contest to find the community that displays the most Rider pride.
"I think the the Riderville contest for the communities of the province is going to be a lot of fun," Hopson predicted. "I think we're going to see a lot of unbelievable stuff from across the province."
More details about the contest are expected when official celebrations are launched next February. Hopson added that the centennial year will be more than just a merchandising opportunity for the team.
"This is about giving back to the schools, to the communities and celebrating along with our fans," Hopson said.
He noted that while the team has been faring well lately, enjoying a string of sellouts, there have been lean times too.
"Particularly in the '90s, when we had to have a telethon to save the team and we were taking wheat for tickets," Hopson recalled. "I think there was a real risk that the team was going to fold. I think that was a real low time and that was only 10 or 12 years ago."
