By Rob Vanstone, Leader-Post August 13, 2010
REGINA — Darian Durant will be spending the Saskatchewan Roughriders' bye week in Regina for the second consecutive season.
"It's all about getting better,'' the Roughriders' quarterback said before Thursday's CFL game against the visiting Lions. "It's all about winning Grey Cups.
"If I put in a little more time than I did last year, then maybe we get over that hump and win the Grey Cup this year. I'm definitely going to be here every day, critiquing my game, seeing what I need to do to get better, and trying to get ready for this last stretch.''
Last year, Durant scrapped plans to return to the United States during the bye week, instead remaining in Regina and immersing himself in film study. That set the tone for Durant's impressive stretch run, which helped the Roughriders claim first place in the West Division for the first time since 1976.
Durant ended up earning West Division all-star honours while quarterbacking the Roughriders to a berth in the Grey Cup — won 28-27 by the Montreal Alouettes on a last-play field goal by Damon Duval.
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Sept. 4 will be proclaimed "Rider Fan Day In Saskatchewan.''
Today at the south Albert Street constituency office of the provincial Minister of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport, Bill Hutchison, will present a group of ardent fans with a letter advising them of the proclamation.
Today at the south Albert Street constituency office of the provincial Minister of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport, Bill Hutchison, will present a group of ardent fans with a letter advising them of the proclamation.
The event, which is being held during the Roughriders' centennial season, is to include the "Biggest Rider Fan Parade of the Century'' on Sept. 4 — the day before Saskatchewan faces the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the annual Labour Day Classic.
Roughriders legend George Reed is to lead the parade, which will begin outside Mosaic Stadium and proceed down Albert Street's Green Mile to the Legislative Building's Cumberland Art Gallery. At the gallery, the grand opening will be held for the HeART of the Rider Nation,'' a month-long exhibition of various forms of art created by Rider fans.
Everyone who attends will receive a free copy of the catalogue for the exhibition. The catalogue includes an essay by Reed about the evolution of the Rider Nation, a biography of Neil J. (Piffles) Taylor by Bob Calder, and a curatorial essay by Heather Hodgson.
The grand opening is set for Sept. 4 at 3:30 p.m. The exhibition, curated by Hodgson and Jackie Schmidt, runs until Sept. 30. After the exhibit, most of the art will be sold in a silent auction, with proceeds to go to the George Reed Foundation.
For more information, e-mail HeatherGHodgson@gmail.com.
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The five 2010 inductees into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame were recognized at halftime of Thursday's game.
The loudest ovation was reserved for former Roughriders receiver Don Narcisse, who performed his trademark touchdown dance — the duck walk — during the presentation.
Mosaic Stadium public-address announcer Evan Bray also recognized Narcisse's mother, Dorothy, who died Monday after a lengthy battle with congestive heart failure.
Mosaic Stadium public-address announcer Evan Bray also recognized Narcisse's mother, Dorothy, who died Monday after a lengthy battle with congestive heart failure.
Don Narcisse is to be formally inducted Saturday in Saskatoon, along with fellow players Tracy Ham, Bob Cameron and Elfrid Payton, and builder Joe Pistilli.
A golf tournament is planned for today in Saskatoon.
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Roughriders running back Wes Cates had two touchdown runs in Thursday's first half, giving him eight majors on the season.
Cates had seven touchdowns all of last season, in which he played 16 games. Thursday's game was the Roughriders' seventh of 2010.
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