Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Homecoming and going

So I’ve had just over 4 days to go over the events of our last game and there is really not much to say, it was just another tough day at the office. We as a team had another game where at times we showed we can be a great team, but also had a few moments that can’t help but justify our 0-4 record. But like any week win or lose the guys have come to practice this week ready to work and improve upon last week's result. From a practice standpoint this week did not have the best of starts, not for the performance on the field, but for the performance of the sky. The rain came and went but made sure our equipment was damp and the balls were slick throughout, and as the rain fell I couldn’t help but think back to former blogger and teammate Tom Kuchiran who made reference to Mother Nature in a blog last October 27th.

Aside from practice, last week’s game also had the distinction of our annual homecoming game. The game and weekend are a celebration for the team and the school, for us the players it is a chance to meet some of the team’s alumni. Personally I got to reunite with some old friends and former teammates who came for the weekends events. To name a few it was a pleasure to see Nick Scissons, Andrew Nagy, Devendra Maharajh, Scott Syvret, Curtis Merrick, and from how I remember him what can only now be described as half of Keith Dauper. (Who by the way voiced his displeasure for my blog, but was quick to deflect questions about his past doughnut giving habits. It’s ok Keith I’ll work on it and I still love you or what’s left of you.) Also a special shout out to former left guard, stats crew legend and my own personal pregame wardrobe consultant Connor Smith.

As a team we had the honor of getting a pregame speech from former Stinger and CFL hall-of-famer Rocco Romano. He delivered some inspiring words and it was not until I started to write this that I felt bad we did not come through with a win for him and the rest of our alumni. Nonetheless this year’s edition of the Concordia Stingers would like to extend our thanks to Rocco for his words and to all the fellow alumni for their support, not just this past weekend but throughout the season.

On a personal note the game marked a chance for me to play against a fellow St. Ignatius of Loyola (Oakville) alumni, Kwasi Nkansah, who is the starting safety for the X-Men.

This week we will once again take on the Sherbrooke Vert et Or, this time at home. The game is the annual Shrine Bowl which helps to benefit the Shriners Hospital. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. or 13:00 local time this Saturday and it would be great to have a packed house so come on out Stinger fans and support the team it would be very much appreciated.

P.S. For those of you who check the regular updates on “The Quarterback” Robert Mackay’s twitter page, I find it quite fascinating that the man has so many post about TV yet does not have cable. Just saying.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Complex a buzz with Stingers

As the football team is busy making the final preparations for our game against Sherbrooke, I can’t help but notice that sports are in full swing once again at Concordia.
At any given time throughout the week you are sure to run into a number of athletes as you pass by the athletic complex.

If you pass by the weight room you can find athletes fine tuning their physique making sure they are at their physical best come game time. Many of us proudly display our team apparel as we perform our various workouts.
Quick Fact: If you happen to notice many of us football players in the weight room late in the week and all we are working on is our arms, chances are we have a TV game that weekend.

Then we have our athletic therapy room where you can find a number of athletes rehabbing from various injuries making sure they are able to play come game time. Sean, Matt, Bruce as well as our student therapist do a great job taking care of us, and of course from time to time Dr. Cedric Ferdinand may pop in to offer up a quick diagnosis. Although it should be noted that Cedric is not a medical doctor or a doctor of any kind, but he maintains, “It’s not what you know but who you know.”
Quick Fact: Since the departure of Nathan Agadzi a former linebacker with the Stingers football team the therapy staff now has an additional 10 hours a week to treat athletes.

Further along in the complex we have the sports information office where you are bound to run into an athlete or two from time to time. Athletes can be seen chatting, discussing game events, giving quotes or feasting on the assortment of goodies always present in the office. Although occupied by Catherine, Eric, Gabriela, and Daniel, you may get to witness the rare occurrence of Rob Mackay working away in the office.
Quick Fact: All game programs and event passes are hand-made by Rob Mackay. (Artwork not included)

Then of course we have the hockey arena the basketball court and the two fields outside but the only thing going on in those places is sports. But as mentioned before these sports are in full swing so at various times you may be able to witness any of Concordia’s teams practicing. Although it should be noted that the hockey and basketball teams have not yet started league play so to catch a game you’ll have to head out to the field.

As for our football team we will be traveling to Sherbrooke to take on the Vert et Or this Saturday kickoff is at 7pm or 1900.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Nothing But Class

After 17 days of training camp and the first week of the season under our belts the 2009 edition of the Concordia Stingers football team finally got a chance to hit something other than the football field, their opponents, or themselves… Of course I am talking about the classroom and for a few unlucky ones the books. I say unlucky because nobody likes homework on the first day of class but it happens.

Yes the start of the school year marks the main component in the life of the Student-Athlete, for as much fun as it is to be a varsity athlete most of us will go on to be professionals in something other than sports.

But with school comes a whole new set of stresses like what to wear to class, who will I sit beside, I hope the other kids like me, projects, assignments, papers, tests, and exams.

No one said balancing school and sports would be easy, but for this years crop of Stingers both new and old it is a challenge we all embrace with open arms and an open mind.

Best of luck to everyone and have a great school year.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Twas the night before training camp!

Twas the night before training camp, and throughout Montreal
The ’09 Stingers were gathering for a new season this fall.
The equipment was hung in their lockers with care,
In just one more day football, again, would be there.

Rookies and veterans all snug in their beds,
While visions of touchdowns and sacks danced in their heads.
And Craney in his PJ’s, and McGrath in his cap,
Still racking their brains on what to do on each snap.

With a new season comes hope and a whole bunch of chatter,
But at the end of the day only one trophy will matter.
Away is the off-season, gone like a flash.
Faster than Ferdinand in the forty yard dash.

The moon will set and the sun will rise,
And this years Stingers will appear before our eyes.
Ready to work as hard as it takes,
Blood, sweat and tears and complete body aches.

MacKay will quarterback and offense, so lively and quick,
Protected by linemen who promise to be as strong as they are thick.
The bird gang will ‘call’ and this season will fly,
But running backs with bird names, I still don’t know why?

Receivers will flank to the left and the right,
But it will be Coach Brad’s signal calling that is sure to excite.
Once the play is in, defenses will moan.
Because on any given play a number of Stingers can find the end zone.

A touch of Donnelly here and a splash of Mitchell Jr. there
Numerous spins by Watson promise to scare.
Mahoney with the ball is always a sight
And if that’s not enough Concordia’s ‘Black D’ is sure to spoil your night.

Fifth year man Mark Deslauriers is once again back,
Bringing with him a ferocious, a potent defensive attack.
On the line stand JP, Turp, Forbes and a bear,
If you get through still standing, Greenwood will be there.

Those caught crossing the middle will have their heads simply Hum.
If you are unclear what I mean, Nick, will kindly demonstrate where the expression comes from.
So keep the ball to the outside if you think that is best,
And quickly find out new Stinger Taylor is ‘Prime’ for the test.

If the defense should falter or the offense should stall,
Then their special teams units will answer the call.
Regimbald is their general in this game of chess
Just don’t ask him to spell Rene Paredes.

No matter the name being displayed on their back,
There is only one name to describe the whole pack.
C-O-N-C-O-R-D-I-A
And for all those who wear it there is no other way.

So bring on the Redmen and the Gaiters too,
The green and gold foxes and the Carabin blue.
And in Quebec City the Laval Rouge et Or,
Lest we forget last years Coupe Dunsmore.

But the past is the past and now a new season begins
I won’t spoil the ending; you’ll have to tune in to see who wins.
You don’t have to wait long, for tomorrow the Stingers unite,
And embark once again on the Quebec conference fight.

The start will be simple, McGrath, to his team give a whistle,
And together they will run like the down of a thistle.
But you’ll hear them exclaim as they run out of sight
“Football is back at Concordia, to all comers good-night!”

Monday, August 10, 2009

Welcome to Dan Rodrigues


The Concordia Stingers are pleased to announce Dan Rodrigues will take over the Stingers Update, a student-athlete blog covering the football team's season. A native of Oakville, Ont., Dan is in his fourth year as a wide receiver with the Stingers. He switched majors in 2008 and is now in his second year studying in Concordia University's prestigious Journalism program.

Dan will share his opinions and experiences with the Stingers football program and offer some insight on life around the Concordia athletic complex. A gifted writer, his wit and keen intelligence will surely keep Stinger fans entertained.

Check back regularly to get an insider’s view of Concordia football and life in a Stinger uniform.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Final Post

We brought some closure to our season last week when gathered for a Christmas party. The Dunsmore Cup is now far enough behind us, to the point where we can actually discuss the game without too many emotions surfacing. Generally, the consensus seemed to be that we had a really good season, and a really great team. Before seeing how the rest of the CIS play-offs unfolded, I think that only a few of us realized how well we stacked up against the competition from the rest of the country. 

Now that football's been removed from my schedule for about a month, I've had some opportunities to reflect on the season that was. The most significant realization that I've made is that coming back to play in my fifth and final year at Concordia was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Playing alongside teammates whom I've forged great relationships with, and playing for coaches who've contributed a great deal to my development as a person and a player was a privilege. Working towards a collective goal is something that unites a group of people, and experiencing the good times and bad times together will strengthen relationships that will persevere for many years to come. I do feel that I'm leaving Concordia without having accomplished all that I wanted, namely, winning a Vanier Cup. Next year's team should be strong once again though, and if there's one thing that I'm confident in, it's that Concordia will always field competitive teams. I'm already looking forward to watching my teammates compete next fall, and I will carry many great memories of being a Stinger with me for the rest of my life.

Thank you to those who expressed their complements in regards to my blog; I hope I was able to give some interesting insights into the 'goings-on' that the team experienced from a perspective that you wouldn't otherwise have been able to know. 
 

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Losing the Dunsmore Cup will be a tough memory to recall, I'm sure for a long time to come. After seeing the results of the Uteck Bowl this past weekend though, the pain of that loss has been compounded by the realization that had we managed to pull out a win in Laval, our chances of advancing to the Vanier Cup would have been great.

Without taking anything away from Calgary, as they emerged as the champions from another tough conference, it's still hard to accept that they would have been nearly as tough an opponent as Laval was after they lost by a margin of 49 points on Saturday. Now I know just as well as anyone how tough it is to play in Peps Stadium, especially how tough it is to respond once Laval gets rolling, and the crowd is pumped, and Calgary was not prepared to play in that environment, and wasn't able to adjust to the difficult circumstances that they faced early on in the game.

We love our fans, and all those that come out to support us; Calgary wouldn't have been facing the same disadvantages though, had they been playing on our field. Still, after seeing the effort that they put forth, I think our team would have been well prepared to succeed against them. I realize that certain teams match up differently against each other and it is possible that Calgary is much better suited to play our team than they are to play Laval. Maybe it's arrogance then that makes me think this way, and the best team doesn't win on every occasion, but I really believe that we would have beaten Calgary. So the same scenario has repeated itself three years in a row now, and I would be lying if I said it wasn't frustrating; we have always felt that advancing past the Dunsmore Cup is the greatest obstacle to overcome in our quest to advance to a Vanier Cup final, and it seems true again this year. Good luck to Laval and Western this coming Saturday, I will watch and enjoy the game regardless of which team wins. The only thing that will upset me will be if Western gets trounced as easily as Calgary was. This would only add to the disappointment of knowing that 2008 could have been Concordia's year-- it was there for the taking.