Rams Celebrate Season of Excellence  

By Greg Urbanoski  

The University of Regina Rams held their 2007 Awards ceremony Thursday night at the Riddell Centre Theatre at the University of Regina .  

The Rams celebrated a 6-2 regular season record and a 1-1 playoff record that saw them fall short in the Hardy Cup Final against the eventual Vanier Cup Champion University of Manitoba Bison.  

“It was a season that ended too soon,” said Dr. Jim Tompkins, President of the University of Regina in remarks to open the evening. “But at least we beat the ( University of Saskatchewan ) Huskies twice. We have a unique partnership with the University of Regina community and the football Rams and we are looking forward to another exciting season.”  

The Rams started off the evening by recognizing the Regina Intercollegiate Football League Coaching Staffs of the Year award sponsored by Applause Dinner Theatre. The Winston Knoll Wolverines from the Schwann Conference won with Coach Kelly Adams accepting on behalf of his staff. The Weyburn Eagles coaching staff under Darren Abel won for their work in the Stewart Conference.  

The next award was the Regina Intercollegiate Football League Player Awards, also sponsored by Applause Dinner Theatre. A number of talented high school players accepted their certificates of recognition from the Rams.  

The All Canadian Academic Awards sponsored by Barker’s Trophies went to players who maintained a minimum 80% average. Five Rams players, three from the 2006 squad who completed their classes in the spring of 2007 and two from the 2007 squad were recognized.  

Clark Gates, defensive line and an engineering major; Max Ivanov, a computer science major were the two players from the 2007 squad. The three from the 2006 squad were Ryan Moore, Tyler Pokoyoway, and Jon Tuscherer.  

The Canadian Intercollegiate Sports and Canada West Major Award winners and All Stars were recognized by the Rams. They included Mat Nesbitt, linebacker who was a CIS and Canada West All Star and recognized as the Outstanding Defensive Player in Canada in 2007; Brendon LaBatte, offensive lineman and chosen to play in the Shrine Bowl; Teale Orban, quarterback and Hec Creighton nominee for Outstanding Player in CIS Football; Steve Wilson, linebacker; Chad Goldie, wide receiver and Paul McDill, defensive line. Rams Head Coach Frank McCrystal was also recognized for winning the outstanding coach in CIS Football in 2007.  

The Les Ludwig Memorial Award going to the most outstanding Offensive Back and sponsored by the Association of Regina Realtors went to Derek Belvedere.  

The Don Tingle Award for the most outstanding Defensive Lineman went to Paul McDill.  

The Barker’s Trophies Award for the most outstanding Offensive Lineman went to Brendon LaBatte.  

The O & T Farms Award for the most outstanding Defensive Back went to Andrew Rumbaugh.  

The Bazaar and Novelty Award for the Leading Scorer went to Perri Scarcelli.  

The Conexus Special Teams Player Award for the most outstanding Special Teams Player and sponsored by Conexus Credit Union went to Steve Wilson.  

The F.W. Barber Limited Award for the Defensive Points Leader and sponsored by F.W. Barber Clothing and Casual Wear went to Mat Nesbitt.  

The Ram Tough Award for the most outstanding Linebacker and sponsored by Crestview Chrysler went to Mat Nesbitt.  

The Mr. Lube Top Receiver Award went to Jordan Sisco.  

The Molson Rookie of the Year Award sponsored by Molson Canada was shared by Brendan Owens and Kolten Solomon.  

The Gord Currie Award for leadership and commitment and sponsored by the University of Regina Rams went to Chad Goldie.  

The Michael Schmidt Memorial Award, sponsored by John, Betty and Kent Schmidt went to Clark Gates.  

The Most Valuable Player Award voted on by the players and sponsored by 620 CKRM went to Chad Goldie.  

All-Rite Plumbing and Heating made a scholarship presentation to the Rams of $2400, representing $400 for each win the Rams made in the regular season.

On behalf of the players, Paul McDill thanked the Rams directors and sponsors, office and academic staff, trainers and equipment personnel, coaches and coaches families, and players families and girlfriends for their support throughout the season.  

“This season was the most fun I have had playing football,” said McDill. “Thanks to everyone for making this the best football year ever.”  

The Rams presented graduation rings to players who have finished their collegiate career with the Rams.  

“Derek Belvedere produced for us game after game and chose to be with us,” said McCrystal. “He was an outstanding player and a tough player.”  

“Clark Gates was an absolute pleasure to work with and he is a poster guy for our program,” said McCrystal. “He is very much a role model for the university, the community and the Regina Rams.”  

“Max Ivanov showed so much courage in coming over with his family from the USSR and going to Sheldon Williams. He went to UBC, didn’t like it, came back, played two years with the Regina Thunder and four years with the Rams and was a student athlete who was an Academic All Canadian for each year he was here.”  

“Mat Nesbitt is a terrific football player and we recognized the challenges he was having. In 2006 he needed to decide what he wanted to do and it is an imperative with this program to help him make good choices. He went out to B.C., played great there, decided to come back a more mature person and student and had the most storied season as a player. There are 26 teams in the CIS and Mat was chosen as the most outstanding defensive player. I’m proud we gave him the opportunity to seek out and realize his potential.”  

“Steve Ryan is someone we really enjoyed having around. He is one of the most unselfish and pleasant guys who really represents the university and the team well. Steve has had the problem of playing under his brother Jon Ryan’s shadow, but we know Steve is a better athlete than Jon. In fact, this past fall he ran in provincial politics and while he lost, I think we will hear a lot more positive noise from Steve Ryan in the future.”  

McCrystal then closed out the evening by talking about the past season and the responsibility of the Rams organization to its players.  

“We recognize and we appreciate the relationship we have with the University of Regina ,” said McCrystal.  

“It gives some of our young guys a chance to face new academic and social challenges and the institution has not just outstanding instructors, but outstanding people to help these young people make their way. It is a terrific partnership and I can’t express enough how much this relationship means to us.”  

McCrystal said 2007 was a very good season for the Rams that had its roots in the 2003 season when the team made the conscious decision to go with younger players and help them to develop socially, academically and athletically. While McCrystal acknowledged the team took its lumps as it developed, the improving Rams record showed the decision was the right one.  

“The first thing we do when we recruit for players is to look at home,” said McCrystal. “The Prairies make them big and tough playing in all kinds of weather.  

“We want you high school guys to play here and grow as athletes, students and people. If you choose to go somewhere else, then that’s fine and we wish you well, but we will look elsewhere to find people to fill the holes you are leaving behind.”  

McCrystal said players like Goldie, Rumbaugh and Belvedere who came from elsewhere and brought their unique experiences helped the Rams to grow, and the Rams would not be afraid to become stronger if necessary by looking elsewhere.  

“We want the best mix and the best fit of players here,” said McCrystal. “That’s why we’re starting by looking at home.  

“But we have someone like Bruce Anderson from B.C. who played two years in junior college in California and wants to hopefully complete his education here in Canada . People see we have strong traditions and we appreciate the contributions of everyone. Thanks to everyone and we look forward to continuing our success.”

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