Wray Morrison
Riders return to U of S campus

U of S/Huskies host Roughriders as part of three year training camp agreement

Apr 19, 2022 | 4:59 PM

Saskatchewan Roughrider training camp is returning to Saskatoon. University of Saskatchewan President Peter Stoicheff was among the dignitaries in attendance at the Graham Clubhouse on Tuesday to announce a three year agreement between the CFL team and the University of Saskatchewan. The 2022 training camp will run from May 15th to June 3rd at Griffiths Stadium. Stoicheff said, “The relationship is really, really strong.”

Stoicheff was asked to outline the benefits of putting this deal in to place from the university’s perspective. “It’s meaningful because there are a lot of guys who come from other parts of Canada and from outside of Canada as well. When they come to training camp here, Saskatoon and the University of Saskatchewan are their first experiences.”

Huskie football head coach Scott Flory said having to move his team out of the facilities for a few weeks is a small price to pay. “We get so much out of it.” Flory pointed to the support the Riders give to the Huskies in supporting events like the Dogs’ Breakfast and other initiatives during the season. “They bend over backwards for us. They are such great people!”

Rider president and CEO Craig Reynolds says that a return to Saskatoon brings back a sense of normalcy since Griffiths Stadium has been the host site of camp so many times before. “The facilities are fantastic. The environment is fantastic. The players love it.” Presence outside of the Regina is a priority. “We are the provinces team. That is important to me.”

The Riders held 2021 training camp in Regina on the heels of a cancelled 2020 season due to the pandemic. Players stayed at the University of Regina. and were then bussed back and forth from campus to Mosaic Stadium. In Saskatoon everything is centralized, and according to Riders GM Jeremy O’Day, it helps the players focus on football. “The dorm, living quarters, the field, the cafeteria…everything we need access to is within walking distance. Great facilities, great new field. We are just excited to be up here.”

The Riders will play their first exhibition game on Monday, May 23rd when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers visit Mosaic Stadium. Saskatchewan’s second and final pre-season game is Friday, June 3rd in Vancouver, against the B.C. Lions.

View Comments