The Saskatchewan Roughriders are preparing for an exhibition game, in the sense that Saturday’s CFL clash with the Edmonton Elks coincides with the Queen City Ex.
There is an accompanying alliance between the game’s Family Day theme and the philosophy espoused by Head Coach Corey Mace since he was hired in late November.
“I’m not trying to say this so it sounds like too soon or anything, but at any level, in any sport, he’s the best coach I’ve ever had,” placekicker Brett Lauther says. “Not even close.
“That has been the case from Day 1 with what he has changed and with how much fun it is playing football for him and this organization.
“He’s a family person. He’s a family guy. I went over to his place for dinner (on Tuesday) with the other captains.
“We’re just doing a lot of different things this year. I think that translates into wins on the field, because the guys care for each other.
“You know each other’s families and what’s going on. You play for each other a little more and, come November, I think that’s how you win a Grey Cup, too.”
Mace understands that formula, having won a CFL championship as a player (with the Calgary Stampeders in 2014), defensive line coach (Calgary, 2018) and defensive co-ordinator (Toronto Argonauts, 2022).
The tradition of success has carried over to Saskatchewan, where the Roughriders boast a 5-2 record and one of the league’s stingiest defences — hardly a surprise, considering that Mace doubles as the defensive co-ordinator.
As the head coach, however, there is the larger responsibility of co-ordinating an entire team.
“Football is a unique deal where it’s a revolving door, so to speak, from year to year — shoot, even week to week sometimes,” Mace says.
“There’s tons of different personalities and people from all different walks of life, but there are the relationships that you build along the way.
“I have close friends from every team that I’ve been on. That’s the special ingredient, I believe, and a lot of us believe the same thing.
“When you care for people, you’re willing to do a little bit extra. It’s very similar to how you treat your own family.
“Why not build that specifically for guys who have to sacrifice their time and be away from their blood family? It doesn’t always have to be blood.”
Unless it is accompanied by sweat and tears.
“You know that there are no hard feelings, just hard work,” quarterback Shea Patterson says. “We all work our tail off, with a family mindset at the end.”
And from the start.
“He set the tone from the day he got here,” Patterson says. “I knew from the first meeting in camp that it was going to be something really special.
“He has created a culture here — a family culture — and a great atmosphere in the locker room and the meeting rooms where everybody can be themselves.
“It’s just infectious. It’s really refreshing. It’s something that I’m really proud of and grateful to be a part of.”
Every team hopes to foster and enjoy such an environment.
Rare is the football administrator who does not cite the creation of a family atmosphere as an objective.
Words, by themselves, don’t make it happen.
“Every coach always preaches about it, but few can actually speak it into existence,” long snapper Jorgen Hus says.
“Part of that is you’ve got to have the right guys in the room. You’ve got to have the right players and coaches and everyone involved has to buy into that.
“If you don’t have that, you can talk about family all you want, but it’s not going to come to fruition.
“I just think we’ve got the right people in the building, whether it’s on the coaching staff, on the roster, or in every department. You enjoy talking with people and it’s just one big family.
“Being here for the last decade, I can say that this is the closest we’ve had it.
“It’s pretty special.”
SPECIAL OCCASION
Family Day festivities, presented by Save-On-Foods, will include an opportunity for fans to gain free admission to the Queen City Ex by presenting their Roughriders game ticket.
The first 10,000 fans through the gates will receive a $10 gift card from Save-On-Foods.
Face-painters, superhero characters and princesses will be on the concourse inside Mosaic Stadium before the game. Assorted mascots, emanating from various locales in Saskatchewan, will also be on hand to interact with the fans.
Members of the Wascana Rhythmic Gymnastics Club will perform on the field before the game.
The in-game agenda will include junior personalities, announcers and media. There will also be a junior anthem singer.
The Junior Rider Cheer Team will perform at halftime. The youngsters were part of the Junior Rider Cheer Camp on Sunday at Mosaic Stadium.
Each quarter, one lucky attendee will receive a $1,000 Save-On-Foods gift card.
After the game, fans will be welcomed on to the field for photos, a game of catch, or a moment to savour on the Green and White’s home turf.
And then, if you wish, it’s off to the Ex — where Jess Moskaluke will be the featured post-game performer.
