Today’s topic: Relations in Rider Nation.
To celebrate Family Day, we are delving into a long line of lineage in Saskatchewan Roughriders history.
But this isn’t all history, it should be noted. Consider some of the current family ties in Riderville:
- Offensive Co-ordinator Marc Mueller is the grandson of Roughriders icon Ron Lancaster. Marc’s father, Larry, was the Roughriders’ Assistant General Manager of Sales and Administration for three-plus years, beginning with the championship season of 1989.
- Director of Partnerships Nick Mazurak is a son of Steve Mazurak, who was a Roughriders receiver from 1973 to 1980 and later became the team’s Vice-President of Marketing and Sales. (Bonus factoid: Steve Mazurak is a second cousin of Roughriders Alumni Association president Quinn Magnuson.)
- Lancaster and Steve Mazurak were teammates of Alan Ford, a Roughriders player (1965 to 1976) and General Manager (1989 to 1999). His grandson, Jaxon Ford, was a rookie defensive back with the 2023 Roughriders.
- Regina-born receiver Brayden Lenius is the son of Troy Dickey, who was a pass-catcher with the Green and White in 1995.
- The Herdman-Reed twins, linebackers Justin and Jordan, are the sons of James Reed. He was a linebacker with the Roughriders in 1995.
- Roughriders defensive backs Kosi Onyeka and Godfrey Onyeka are cousins. Kosi’s brother, Nakas, was a linebacker with the Roughriders in 2021.
- Receiver Mitch Picton and Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation Development Manager Jonathan Halvorson are soon to be related. Picton is engaged to Halvorson’s sister, Kaylee. Mitch’s brother, offensive lineman Aaron Picton, tried out for the Roughriders in 2016. Mitch’s cousin, former University of Regina Rams quarterback Noah Picton, attended training camp in 2015. Noah’s father, quarterback Dean Picton, was a training-camp invitee in 1988.
(Whew!)
Historically, the list of Roughriders family connections could be scroll-like.
Actually, it is scroll-like!
At the not-inconsiderable risk of devouring the remainder of your Family Day with this story, here goes …
Adam: Ron Adam was a quarterback and defensive back with the Roughriders from 1954 to 1960. His nephew, defensive back Rob Adam, was on the practice roster in 1989.
Aldag: Barry Aldag (1967 to 1972) and brother Roger (1976 to 1992) were Roughriders offensive linemen.
Auclair: Newly signed linebacker Adam Auclair is the younger brother of tight end Antony Auclair, who was Saskatchewan’s fourth-round draft choice in 2017. Antony went on to play in the NFL and helped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers win a Super Bowl in 2021.
Anderson: The Anderson family’s Roughriders representation includes Paul (lineman, 1953 to 1958), brother Wayne (halfback, 1952) and Paul’s son Mike (offensive lineman, 1984 to 1995).
Boyko: Allan and Bruce Boyko were the first twins in Roughriders history. Allan, a receiver, suited up for 13 games in 1991. Bruce, a receiver/fullback, played for Saskatchewan from 1990 to 1996.
Capraru: George Capraru (1934, 1935) and his brother Dan (1940, 1941) were halfbacks with the Roughriders.
Clovis: The Roughriders’ defensive backfield included brothers Tristan and Sebastian Clovis in 2008. Sebastian spent one year with the Roughriders, for whom Tristan played from 2006 to 2008.
Dimitroff: Quarterback Tom Dimitroff was acquired from the Ottawa Rough Riders in a multi-player deal on March 27, 1959, but did not report. Tom Dimitroff Jr. was part of the Roughriders’ player-personnel department in 1990 and 1991.
Dorsch: Henry Dorsch was a versatile member of the Roughriders from 1964 to 1971. He later became the GM (1978 and 1979). His son, Doug, attended training camp in 1988 after starring at receiver with the Regina Rams junior team.
Dundas: Ron Dundas was a productive Roughriders receiver from 1956 to 1960. His son, linebacker Rick Dundas, played in four games with the 1978 Roughriders and dressed for two more contests in 1979. Linebacker Reiny Dundas, Rick’s brother, was the Roughriders’ eighth-round draft choice in 1983.
Fischer: Saskatoon Hilltops tight end Axel Fischer attended training camp in 1979 and 1980. His son, running back Logan Fischer, took part in camp in 2017 before rejoining the Hilltops.
Fleiszer: Halfback Dave Fleiszer was the Roughriders’ eighth-round draft choice in 1969. His son, Tim, was a defensive lineman with the Roughriders in 2006 and 2007.
Flory: Regina-born offensive lineman Scott Flory was under contract to the Roughriders in 2004. His brother, offensive lineman Chris Flory, attended camp with the Roughriders in 1996 and 1997.
Geisthardt: Alf Geisthardt was a lineman with the Roughriders in 1949, 1950 and 1951. His brother, Ron, tried out for the team in 1953.
Gilhooly: George Gilhooly was a Roughrider from 1925 to 1933. His brother, Jack, played for the Regina Rugby Club/Roughriders from 1923 to 1927.
Hackney: Miller Hackney was a Regina Rugby Club/Regina Roughriders halfback in 1920, 1922 and 1924. His grandson, Campbell Hackney, was a member of the linebacking corps from 1980 to 1982.
Hamilton: Marshall Hamilton, a defensive back, played in all 16 games with the Roughriders in 1981, 1982 and 1983. His brother, linebacker Kelly Hamilton, tried out in 1982, 1983 and 1985. Another sibling, defensive back Pat Hamilton, was the Roughriders’ fourth-round pick in 1980.
Hendrickson: Craig Hendrickson and his brother, Scott, were offensive line cohorts on the Roughriders for two seasons. Craig was a Roughrider from 1991 to 1993. Scott donned a green jersey from 1992 to 1997. (Their father, Lefty Hendrickson, was a tight end with the B.C. Lions from 1968 to 1974.)
Henry: Receiver Lloyd Henry dressed for one game in 1979. His son, Rocky Henry (actual first name: Lloyd), was part of the receiving corps from 2001 to 2003.
Hungle: Joe Hungle was an inside wing with the Roughriders from 1945 to 1947. In his final season, he was a teammate of his brother Tony, who remained with the team through the 1953 season.
James: Eddie (Dynamite) James was a star halfback with the Roughriders in 1928, 1929 and 1931. His son, Gerry (Kid Dynamite) James, concluded his CFL career with the 1964 Roughriders after becoming a gridiron great with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Eddie and Gerry James are both in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
Jauch: Ray Jauch was a member of the coaching staff from 1991 to 1995, serving as Head Coach for the latter two seasons. His son, Joey, was a Roughriders receiver/holder in 1994 and 1995. Joey’s brother Jim, a defensive back, attended training camp in 1989 and was on the practice roster in 1991.
Jurineack: Terrell Jurineack was a Roughrider from 2004 to 2007. His brother, fellow defensive lineman Tavares Jurineack, attended training camp in 2005.
Lipinski: Bruce Lipinski attended training camp in 1979. Thirty years later, his son Joel (also a defensive back) played in nine games with his hometown team.
Longworthy: Brothers Howie (1914, 1915) and Ward Longworthy (1915) played for the Regina Rugby Club in the early years.
Mauk: Ben Mauk (practice roster 2008) and Maty Mauk (training camp 2017) are brothers who both tried out at quarterback.
McNeill: Offensive lineman Scott McNeill was on the practice roster in 1993 and 1994. His father, Jack, was the Assistant GM from 1976 to 1978.
McQuarters: Ed McQuarters was a dominant defensive lineman for Saskatchewan from 1966 to 1974. His son, Eddie, was the Roughriders’ fourth-round draft pick in 1984. Eddie, an offensive lineman, tried out in 1985 and 1987.
McDougall: The McDougall brothers, Don and Ken, were long-time volunteers with the Roughriders. Ken was in charge of the Game Entertainment committee. Don was on the Management Committee (now the Board of Directors) from 1989 to 1995. Don’s wife, Jill, was a key part of the business office from 1987 to 1999. Their daughter, Robin, was the Roughriders’ Administrative/Player Personnel Assistant in 1999. Don’s father, Albert (Bus) McDougall, spent six seasons with the Roughriders, beginning in 1925.
McEachern: Ken McEachern (1974-82, 1984) is one of the elite defensive backs in Roughriders history. His brother, linebacker Bob McEachern, was placed on a 14-day trial in 1980.
McGrath: Offensive lineman Joe McGrath attended training camp in 1966 and 1970. His son, Joe Jr., signed with the Roughriders in 2019 but was traded to Edmonton the following spring. He, too, was an offensive lineman.
Molnar: The Roughriders’ all-time player list includes two Steve Molnars. Steve Sr. was an outside wing for the Regina-based red and black team in 1941. Steve Jr. was a Roughriders fullback from 1969 to 1978.
Murphy/Garza: Cal Murphy was a Roughriders Assistant Coach in 1997 and 1998 before serving as Head Coach in 1999. His son-in-law, Sam Garza, was the Receivers Coach in 1998 and 1999. Garza returned as an Assistant Coach in 2004.
Nicholson: A member of the Nicholson family attended three consecutive training camps. Ron Nicholson, a halfback from the Rams, tried out for the Roughriders in 1970. Alex, a Rams defensive lineman, was a camp invitee in 1971 and 1972.
Otten: The Regina Rugby Club’s roster once included Charlie Otten (1913, 1914 and 1919) and his brother Howie (1916, 1919, 1923).
Palmer: Michael Palmer was a receiver with Saskatchewan in 2007 and 2008. His father, Peter, was a long-time CFL linebacker who attended the Roughriders’ 1976 training camp.
Pelling/Mahoney: Bob Pelling (receiver, 1947 to 1953) and grandson Mike Mahoney (linebacker, 2005 and 2006) played for the Roughriders.
Preston (Part 1): Ken Preston, a former Roughriders player and coach, was the GM from 1958 to 1977. His son, former NHLer Rich Preston, was a Roughriders water boy in the mid-1960s.
Preston (Part 2): Here’s to Rock and Roell! The Preston brothers’ pro football careers intersected with the 2001 Roughriders. Rock was a running back. Roell lined up as a receiver.
Pyne: Wayne Pyne (1946 to 1953) and his brother Fran (1947) were teammates for one season. Wayne’s son, Rob Pyne, was a Roughriders defensive back in 1972 and 1973.
Redl: Offensive lineman Doug Redl attended training camp in 1978. His brother Scott, a two-way lineman, played in Saskatchewan from 1983 to 1987.
Rennebohm: Tare Rennebohm Sr. (1916, 1919-26) and Tare Jr. (1945-48) were both Roughriders players.
Rhone: There was a brother act at training camp in 1973. Eddie Rhone (defensive lineman) and Walter Rhone (defensive back) both had short stints with the team.
Rowand: Jack Rowand played for the Roughriders and later served on the Management Committee. His son, John Rowand, was also on the Management Committee.
Sangster: Alan Sangster was the Roughriders’ President from 1971 to 1975. His brother, Jack, was a long-time executive member.
Schnitzler: Linebacker Pat Schnitzler (1984) and his son, defensive lineman Tom Schnitzler (2017), both attended camp after excelling with the Hilltops.
Scrivener: Defensive linemen Glen Scrivener (1991 and 1992) and Colin Scrivener (1998 to 2002) are another Saskatchewan sibling story.
Shaw: Wayne Shaw and his younger brother, Cliff, both played linebacker for the 1966 Grey Cup champions. Cliff, a rookie at the time, remained with the team until training camp in 1971. Wayne, who joined the team in 1961, was an All-Star in six of his 12 seasons with the Roughriders.
Simonson: Ernie (Si) Simonson played for the Roughriders in 1939 and 1940 before serving in the Second World War. He was killed in action in 1944 when his son, Vern, was two years old. Vern, a star with the University of Alberta Golden Bears, was on the Roughriders’ practice squad in 1966.
Solie: Dale Solie was a linebacking hopeful at training camp in 1988. His nephew, David Solie, was a placekicker at camp in 2023.
Stein: Brothers Frank and Arthur Stein were Roughriders teammates in 1940. Arthur’s only year as a Roughrider was the last of Frank’s five seasons with the team.
Taman: Brendan Taman performed several roles for the Roughriders. Most notably, he was the GM from 2010 to 2015. Barry Taman, Brendan’s brother, was an Assistant Equipment Manager before joining the Roughriders’ marketing department.
Taylor: Taylor Field was named after Neil. J. (Piffles) Taylor, whose son Sam was the Roughriders’ President in 1958 and 1959.
Timmis: Brian Timmis Sr., a Canadian Football Hall of Famer, starred for the Roughriders from 1920 to 1922. Brian Jr., also a halfback, played in 10 games with the 1953 edition.
Tolbert: Emanuel Tolbert was a member of the Roughriders’ receiving corps from 1980 to 1982. His son, receiver Jonelle Tolbert, attended training camp in 2013.
Townsend: Frank Townsend (1911, 1912, 1913 and 1916) and his brother Fred (1914 roster; 1915 practice roster) were both with the Regina Rugby Club in the early years.
Turkington: The list of Hilltops alumni includes Brent Turkington (defensive back) and his son, Evan (receiver). Brent attended the Roughriders’ training camp in 1985. Evan followed suit in 2015.
Uhren: The Uhren family was represented at training camp in 1953 (Herb), 1955 (Wilf, Herb) and 1956 (Arch, Wilf).
Tounkara: Ousmane Tounkara, whom the Roughriders drafted eighth overall in 1998, was a member of the receiving corps for three seasons. His brother, Ibrahim, suited up as a receiver in 2005 and 2006.
Urness: A three-generation family! Albert Urness played for the Roughriders in five consecutive Grey Cup Games (1928 to 1932). His brother, Harold, was a member of the team in 1930 and 1931. Al’s son, Jack, was a Roughriders quarterback in 1958 and 1959. Jack’s twin brother, Ted Urness, was a member of the Roughriders’ offensive line from 1961 to 1970. Annnnnnd, Ted’s son, Mark Urness, was himself a Roughriders offensive lineman (1985 to 1989). Mark was a part of the 1989 Grey Cup championship team. As a member of the Roughriders’ Board in 1989, Ted Urness also earned a Grey Cup ring. He was the starting centre for the 1966 CFL champions. (One more! His uncle, Fred Goodman, played for the Roughriders from 1929 to 1933.)
Wardien: Del Wardien was a multi-position star with the Roughriders from 1948 to 1954. His brother, Lowell, was at training camp in 1952.
Wright: During Art Wright’s one season (1947) as an end with the Roughriders, he was a teammate of his brother Roy, who was a halfback and quarterback with the team from 1945 to 1952.
And, not to be overlooked, Gainer: Gainer the Gopher and his cousin, Leonard, have always been close.
