Wilfred Laurier was playing against the Waterloo Warriors in an Ontario University Football game. Game time was 7pm in Waterloo, and what a beautiful night that it was.
http://oua.ca/sports/football/home/
I always like to watch amateur sports whenever I get a chance, and if you ever get a chance make the effort. This time of year there is great football, field lacrosse, hockey and more. A really great, inexpensive way to see some fantastic young athletes in action.
On this night I knew a couple of players that were playing. Daniel Bishop was playing for the Golden Hawks from Laurier, the son of my friend Mark Bishop. Mark as some of you may know is a physical specimen - always in such great physical condition, he played football (and was a force) in high school and had a great lacrosse career as well. Mark has recently suffered a stroke and is presently recovering in Hamilton Hospital. Mark has had more than his fair share of health issues throughout his life, but he is one of the toughest guys I have ever met, and I know he is fighting hard again. I felt proud every time I heard the announcer at the football game say over the loud speaker....."tackle by Bishop" - Daniel is a quick, tough linebacker, and he does the Bishop name proud.
This night I went to the game with my good friend Stu Aird, and his son Samuel (Sammy) was also playing for the Golden Hawks, starting at middle linebacker. A classic "pass it on" tale as I watched the althetisim of Sammy, speed, agility and toughness, a "chip off the old block" as they say.
Stu played lacrosse with me my whole life and was always a leader. He was a star QB in high school at Lorne Park Secondary, and also won a Vanier Cup when he played slotback with The University of Western Mustangs....so he does know the game. Sammy is in his fourth year at Wilfred Laurier, and I am sure to win the coveted Vanier Cup would be a great story....but they will definitely be taking the tough road in to do it. They are 3 wins and 3 losses and their are some great teams in the league....but anything can happen.
The football game itself was not a classic. The Waterloo Warriors have not won this year, and about 75% of their team are rookies....unprecedented. It was kind of funny, because as I watched the Black and Gold Warriors play, I was having flashbacks to my High School Football days. Yes, I did play.....QB for the Clarkson Chargers (we were also Black and Gold). We were not very good (actually we were awful). As the Waterloo quarterback took his snap from centre he literally started to run for his life as the tough Lancers began the chase, I could feel his pain. The nickname for my offensive line in High School was "The Red Sea" because whenever I said to my centre "hike" and I started to back out, my line used to split open like the Red Sea, and many a time I found myself running for my life. I picked a lot of sod out of my helmet in those days. As a matter of fact, when I used to play against my old buddy Stu from our arch enemies the Lorne Park Spartans.....we used to get trounced. That was the reason for my flashbacks as I watched the Wilfred Laurier Golden Hawks manhandle the Warriors of Waterloo....final score was 69 to 3 (ouch).
I had a great night though, and recommend it to all....go and check out some University sports near you.
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