The volunteer arm of the Saskatchewan Roughriders was celebrated on Sunday.
The left arm of one of the volunteers — Angie Beka — exemplified the spirit of the occasion.
She is proud to carry a Roughriders logo everywhere she goes.
“I call it my birthmark,” Beka said before dinner at the Turvey Centre.
“My whole arm is done (with tattoos), but this was the first one.”
She is particularly proud of the fact that the tattoo was applied while she was living in Alberta.
After residing in a neighbouring province for 20 years, Beka moved back to her hometown of Regina in September of 2023. She soon saw a Facebook post about the Rider Squad, which performs various duties on game days at Mosaic Stadium, and her interest was piqued.
Beka went through the orientation process March of 2024 and became a member of the fan ambassador team this past season.
“The Rider Squad is a great organization,” she said. “It’s a great way for people to get out there and support the team and have a great time meeting new people.
“If I had known about this earlier, I would have moved back sooner.”
Beka had barely sat down before Offensive Co-ordinator Marc Mueller walked over, introduced himself, and offered thanks for supporting the team.
A few minutes later, receiver Dhel Duncan-Busby approached Beka to express appreciation.
Kian Schaffer-Baker, also a pass-catcher with the Green and White, wasn’t far behind.
Kicker Brett Lauther, defensive lineman Charbel Dabire and Head Coach Corey Mace also made the rounds from table to table, thanking the volunteers.
“That means a lot,” Beka said. “It shows that they’re involved with every aspect of the team.”
At Roughriders home games, she is typically found at the south end of the stadium, at the top of Pil Country.
Linda Malagride, a six-year volunteer, is a Section 138 host who, when required, can also perform duties such as ticket-scanning.
“I’m retired and it seemed like something fun to do with my time while contributing to the community,” said Malagride, who once owned season tickets with her late mother, Ellen Driver.
“To be appreciated is a nice thing and the Rider Squad does a very good job of appreciating their volunteers.”
Appreciation was extended to a sextet of Rider Squad stalwarts who put in 100-plus volunteer hours in 2024 — namely Ron Jones, Lovella Jones, Yvonne Harrison, Crystal Schmidt, Carol Marwick and Val Wiks.
A special thank-you was extended to Len Davidowich to acknowledge his 40 years of volunteerism with the community-owned team.
“The funny thing is that we had him carbon dated — and he isn’t even 40 yet,’’ Roughriders Volunteer and Guest Experience Manager Rob Harrison quipped.
All joking aside, Harrison was quick to thank the volunteer base as a whole.
Also recognized was the Rider Squad’s new presenting sponsor, SaskEnergy.
“Without volunteers like you, we couldn’t have the success that we do,” SaskEnergy President-CEO Mark Guillet told the gathering.
Those sentiments were echoed by Schaffer-Baker, who remained at the venue long after the formal program to mingle with volunteers, sign autographs and pose for pictures.
“There’s no better feeling than to be able to give appreciation and show love for all the support they give for us throughout the year,” the Roughriders’ No. 89 said.
“The show doesn’t go on without them.”
MEET THE RIDER SQUAD
Simon Almond
Audrey Anderson
Dianne Anderson
Jan Ayer
James Balfour
Marilyn Bast
Murray Beitel
Angie Beka
Michael Biette
Phyllis Blampied
Joann Blazieko
Wayne Blazieko
Carol Bobyck
Verne Bolen
Marie Bouchard
Bonita Bourgeois
Shelan Bradburn
Patrick Bray
Malcolm Brown
Lynn Brunen
Ellen Bumphrey
Tava Burton
Debbie Campbell
Laurie Carpenter
Megan Chamney
Marilyn Cleveland
Debbie Corkish
Karen Cromwell
Amy Cruson
Shannon Cullen
Bev C. Cyca
Margaret Dagenais
Leanne Dalgarno
Len Davidowich
Muna De Ciman
Alex De Gooiger
Jaclyn De Gooiger
Tami Denomie
Blane Deutscher
Tom Dickson
Will Dinu
Sherri Dittmer
Laurier Donais
Mel Douglas
Shawn Dreger
Linda Duong
Tom Duong
Dolly Dyck
Lori Eberts
Ellen Edwards
Michael Fogarty
Tracey Folk
Daniela Furkert
Theresa Gallinger
Dale Gerhard
Adele Giannetta
Candace Giblett
Lori Giroux
Caitlin Hallett
Hal Halvorsen
Sheila Harder
Julie Harrison
Rob Harrison
Yvonne Harrison
Alice Hastings
Debra Hengen
Patty Heuck
Marlene Hoffman
Davin Husband
Cathy Jensen
Lovella Jones
Ron Jones
Gord Jooristy
Nola Jooristy
James Katryniuk
Candace Kazakoff
Devin Kazakoff
Allan Kerr
Debbie Kilbach
Dave Kindred
Karen Klapatiuk
Marietta Klock
Evelyn Koopman
Scott Kozoriz
Christopher Kulach
Darla LaChance
Michael Lam
Joan Lang
Marc Langlais
Marlene Larocque
Trish Lattery
Leanne Lawrance
Joyce Lee
Dolores Leier
Linda Leitner
Patsy Lim
Wendy Lindblad
Gordon Loberg
Denise Lubenow
Wally Lubenow
Linda Malagride
Helene Marceau
Sharon Markwart
Donald Martin
Karen Martin
Carol Marwick
Erica Marwick
Dave Matichuk
Michelle McConkey
Ken McInnis
Ian McNeil
Gloria Miller
Bev Missens
Kari Mitchell
Eileen Morley
John Mulready
Brett Murray
Blaine Nestegard
Leanne Neufeld
David Niedzielski
Nicole Niedzielski
Christian Nielsen
Ginni Nielsen
Valerie Parker
Natalie Pelletier
Patricia Peltier
Tracy Phaneuf
Jenna Phillips
Carla Pieracci
Alisa Powers
Angela Prawzick
Donna Prince
Gord Prince
Bev Pyne
Cheryl Rae
Shannon Rains
Brian Reece
Debbie Rodger
Barry A. Rogers
Randy Rolufs
Aman Saini
Crystal Schmidt
Gordon Schmidt
Loretta Schroh
Shirley Schuett
Wanda Schultz
Gail Schurman
John Seargeant
Jim Selinger
Terri Singer
Laurie Slatnik
Rod Slatnik
Bradley Smith
Judith Smith
Neil Smith
Caroline Sorensen
Melanie Sorensen
Linda Spice
Kyle Spitula
Tanya Strom
Trudy Tannahill
Irene Terashima
Bonnie Thomas
Deb Todoschuk
John Todoschuk
Perry Turton
Dianne Voz
Joan Wallman
Sharon Walters
Brian Weninger
Karen Wightman
Val Wiks
Charmaine Wilkes
Anna Wilson
Darren Wilson
Donna Wilson
Rick Wychreschuk
Nick Zieger
Lisa Ziegler
Debra Zlatarits
