Gene Makowsky - U of S Huskies 1991-1994 (Courtesy: Huskie Athletics)

By Wray Morrison

Listen: Sr Journalist/Rider Historian-Rob Vanstone

The historic Huskie-Rider connection

May 14, 2024 | 10:09 AM

A football relationship, that goes back nearly a century, continues in 2024 with linebacker Nick Wiebe and defensive back Katley Joseph joining the Saskatchewan Roughriders after suiting up with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. Wiebe, who is recovering from a knee injury, and Joseph, who signed with the Riders in April of 2024, are just two of 97 documented players that have had ties to both programs according to Senior Journalist and Roughrider Historian, Rob Vanstone.

“I knew it would be a long list”, said Vanstone. “Until I really dove into it, I didn’t realize how long it would be. There is a total, that I can document, of 33 Huskies that have played at least one game with the Roughriders.”

There are 10 former U of S Huskies that have gone on to win Grey Cup championships according to Vanstone’s count. Rob Bresciani, John Hoffman and Kelly Trithart suited up for the 1989 Grey Cup run. Nathan Hoffart and Gene Makowsky were on the 2007 championship Roughrider team. In 2013, former Huskies’ Graeme Bell, Ben Heenan, Scott McHenry, Levi Steinhauer and Paul Woldu were all on the Rider roster for Saskatchewan’s most recent Grey Cup title.

When asked about more notable Huskies that have made major contributions to the Riders, two players stand out to Vanstone…Makowsky and Dan Farthing. Makowsky, a Canadian Football Hall of Fame offensive lineman, played in a team record 284 CFL games with the Riders from 1995-2011. “He’s a proud Huskie”, said Vanstone.

Farthing, a receiver with the Huskies from 1987 to 1990, suited up for 169 games with the Roughriders in a CFL career that lasted over a decade. The 2009 Plaza of Honour inductee currently serves as the Riders’ Head of Strength and Conditioning. The star receiver caught a touchdown pass in the Huskies’ first ever Vanier Cup championship victory in 1990.

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Vanstone took note of one moment involving Farthing as the Riders began the 2024 training camp at Griffiths Stadium on May 11^th. “We had an introductory team meeting on Saturday”, he said. “Dan gets up to speak to the players in the same room where his picture is on the wall. That’s the one that knocks me over every day.”

Several members of the current Huskie coaching staff have a Roughrider connection. U of S head coach Scott Flory signed with the Riders in 2004 before being traded to Montreal. Defensive coordinator Warren Muzika attended Saskatchewan’s CFL training camp in 1993. Receivers coach Duane Dmytryshyn played in 18 Roughrider games in 2000. Special teams coordinator Jerry Friesen dressed in 61 Roughrider games from 1981 to 1985. Defensive backs coach Paul Woldu dressed for 60 CFL contests with Saskatchewan from 2012 to 2015 and was part of Saskatchewan’s 2013 Grey Cup winning team.

The research goes back as far as 1934, when Larry Hegan left the University of Saskatchewan to join the province’s CFL team in 1938. Vanstone’s count shows that University of Saskatchewan football players have dressed for 1,256 games with the Roughriders. “The Huskie impact on that team (Riders) is mind boggling”, he said.

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Number of Huskie players affiliated with Riders: 97

Number of Huskie players that played at least one game with the Riders: 33

Number of Rider games played for former Huskies: 1,256

Number of Huskies who have won a Grey Cup as Roughriders: 10

(Source: Rob Vanstone)

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wray.morrison@pattisonmedia.com

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