Lions Celebration at Art Gallery

[jim604]

as far as the choice of the art gallery etc, i think it was a fine choice, considering this was the one day the Lions could do this (middle of the week, before players leave town).
the plaza of nations was mentioned, this would have been a superior choice...however, the art gallery has one thing that none of the other venues would, for a 12 noon event.. the surrounding of office towers and 1000's of businesses.. people could just walk down.

and on a fun note... one thing that brough a smile to my face, perhaps even more than having carl kidd hold out the grey cup infront of me, was that one of the two security guards for the event, inside the gate where the lions stood, i recognized from the Western Final last week.
He sat very close to me.. wearing all green, face painted green...hard hat and all.. karma!!! karma!!!!
imagine being a Lions fan, living in regina, hells freezes over and the riders win the cup, and you have to work at the celebration party. ha ha.

[OrangeShoes99]

I think the Plaza of nations would have been a better choice for two reasons:

1. The weather may have kept some away.
2. Parking downtown was a real pain.

[Tania]

Thanks for sharing all the pics!! Looked like a lot of fun!

I wondered that too, about the choice of an outdoor venue...

[TheZeppo]

According to my dad, the 85 parade was poorly attended, maybe that's why there hasn't been one since.

The parade in 1985 was not well attended. It was on a weekday
and the weather was bitterly cold for November (well below zero).
It wound up at B.C. Place where there was supposed to be an autograph
session with the players. But the crowd became unruly, and the event
had to be hastily cancelled. It is not one of the more positive memories
that I have from my many years of being a Lions' fan.

[SammyGreene]

I think the Plaza of nations would have been a better choice for two reasons:

1. The weather may have kept some away.
2. Parking downtown was a real pain.

I agree OS_99 but word out today is the Plaza of Nations' roof has been declared unsafe due to eroded screws and is likely headed for the wrecking ball to make way for development instead of a hefty repair bill.

Great... another Expo ?86 structure that has the ability to host fun events in the city is about to bite the dust.

[OrangeShoes99]

I agree OS_99 but word out today is the Plaza of Nations' roof has been declared unsafe due to eroded screws and is likely headed for the wrecking ball to make way for development instead of a hefty repair bill.

Great... another Expo ?86 structure that has the ability to host fun events in the city is about to bite the dust.

Yeah well I didn;t know that until this morning, but apparently it is not at the point of falling down.

Not on;y will it be torn down, but it will also be replaced by more ugly condos from what I am hearing...

[Rammer]

I think the Plaza of nations would have been a better choice for two reasons:

1. The weather may have kept some away.
2. Parking downtown was a real pain.

I agree OS_99 but word out today is the Plaza of Nations' roof has been declared unsafe due to eroded screws and is likely headed for the wrecking ball to make way for development instead of a hefty repair bill.

Great... another Expo ?86 structure that has the ability to host fun events in the city is about to bite the dust.

The news this morning stated that the structure was meant to be temporary when it was initially constructed, so it whould be expected. The owner has until December 10th to make a call on either fixing it, or dusting it. Gee I wonder what the verdict on that will be, have a non money making piece of land right downtown....hmmm.

[#1 Lions Fan in SK]

I snuck my hands on the WDF trophy being carried by Mike Benevides

Oh, I didn't know that the Lions would bring that trophy along too. Touching that trophy is such a rarity as I'd say that one rarely makes any public appearances.

I wonder if the Lions will take a team championship picture similar to this one they took in 2000:

http://www.lionbackers.com/gallery/disp ... um=6&pos=1

With BC Place being unavailable and with the team dispersing soon after the end of the season, I wonder if and where they will take such a picture, and if the West Division Championship trophy will be in that picture too.

I have a similar picture with the 1994 Championship Team. It's huge (poster format) and dry mounted. My dad bought it for me at a celebrity sports auction with an autographed football (Lui).

[ThreeTimesOneMinusOne]

And yet, Reimer nailed Sherko Haji-Rasouli...............................

If it makes anyone feel any better, only 3 Felions showed up at the Shark Club.

Did you see my Lui picture on page 1?

[Robbie]

Speaking of Lui Passaglia, here's a question that I hope somebody can answer. As you may all know, Lui Passaglia is still involved with the BC Lions as a staff member. For the last five seasons, he has been the Director of Community Relations.

http://www.bclions.com/index.php?module ... taff_id=23

Here is a listing of the other club operations staff members:

http://www.bclions.com/index.php?module ... staffnum=3

My question is, do staff members like Lui Passaglia also receive championship rings and get their name inscribed on the Grey Cup?

If the answer is no, then exactly who among the non-players get championship rings along with an inscription? I know that the head coach definitely does. But what about everyone else who is part of the football operations personnel seen here?

http://www.bclions.com/index.php?module ... staffnum=1

What about people like equipment manager Ken 'Kato' Kasuya?

[MacNews]

I know the HC, GM and CEO (Ackles) would get GC rings. The staff under Ackles (Bridgett, Lui, etc) probably won't get GC rings but might've gotten a plane ride and ticket to the GC.

[Robbie]

I know the HC, GM and CEO (Ackles) would get GC rings. The staff under Ackles (Bridgett, Lui, etc) probably won't get GC rings but might've gotten a plane ride and ticket to the GC.

Then I guess none of the following will receive rings:

Bob O'Billovich, Director Of Player Personnel
Mike Roach, Defensive Line Coach
Dan Dorazio, Offensive Line Coach
Steff Kruck, Quarterbacks Coach
Mike Benevides, Special Teams And Linebacker Coach
Jacques Chapdelaine, Offensive Coordinator
Dave Ritchie, Defensive Coordinator

[David]

Robbie, the assistant coaches all receive Grey Cup rings. Support staff like ticket managers may get a replica ring but don't quote me on that....just the first part I know to be fact.

DH 8)

[Robbie]

Robbie, the assistant coaches all receive Grey Cup rings. Support staff like ticket managers may get a replica ring but don't quote me on that....just the first part I know to be fact.

Okay, thanks for the clarification, David.

So now the question begs asking - who are considered assistant coaches? I know Ritchie and Chapdelaine qualify. But as Director of Player Personnel, will Bob O'Billovich get one?

How about these three:

Bill Reichelt, Head Trainer
Bob Park, Strength And Conditioning Trainer
Kevin Witmer, Assistant Trainer

I think I'll send off an e-mail to the Director of Communications, Jamie Cartmell, and see if I will get any kind of response from him.

[MacNews]

Yes, Bob would count! As for the equipment guys and trainers I'm not sure, maybe David can let us know. It might be like the assistant people at the office. GC ticket and all but no ring.