OVERVIEW

CLUB HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY

After completing a 45 year history of junior football in 1998, the Regina Rams embarked on a new challenge in 1999 as a member of the Canada West Conference of the Canadian Intercollegiate Athletic Union. This was made possible by the development of a community partnership agreement between the Regina Rams Football Club Inc. and the University of Regina.  In 2000, only their sophomore season as a university football team, the Rams made a huge impact on CIAU football by winning the Canada West conference championship (the Hardy Cup) and the Atlantic Bowl national semi-final on their way to an appearance in the Vanier Cup. They also appeared in the Hardy Cup in both 2001 and 2002.

Though entering just their fifth season as a university football team, the Rams have been a highly successful sports organization for many years. The Rams come from a long tradition of Canadian junior football which dates back, in Regina, to the early part of the century when predecessors of the Rams captured national titles in 1928 and 1938. Formed in 1954 from the amalgamation of two teams (the Bombers and the Dales), the Rams participated in the Man-Sask Junior Football League from 1954 to 1975. In 1976 the Rams joined with teams from Alberta to establish the Prairie Football Conference in which the Rams participated until 1998, the Club's final year in junior football.

The Rams have been a dominant force in amateur football in Canada for many years. In 1965 legendary Head Coach Gordon Currie joined the Regina Rams, having achieved a record of success at the high school level that is unlikely ever to be equaled. That same year he led the Rams to the Western Canadian Junior Final.

1966 marked the construction of the Rams clubhouse at Mount Pleasant Sports Park in Regina and the Club's first national title.

During the 33 football seasons from 1966 to 1998, the Regina Rams participated in 17 Canadian Junior Football Championships, emerging with victories on 15 occasions (1966, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1980, 1981, 1986, 1987, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997 and 1998), and defeated both CIAU and European opponents. More than fifty former Regina Rams have moved on to the professional ranks in the Canadian Football League.

Throughout their history the Rams have attempted not only to provide an opportunity for young men to play competitive football at an elite level, but to maintain a broader program which assists Rams athletes in their personal development. That philosophy was embraced by current head coach Frank McCrystal, who became head coach in 1984 after five years as the Club's defensive coordinator, five years as a coach in the Regina Intercollegiate Football League and five years as an all-star Regina Rams linebacker. Building on the Rams' tradition and with an eye to the future, Coach McCrystal has been instrumental in implementing many program enhancements during his tenure.

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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

In 1998 the Regina Rams Football Club, looking for new challenges and with a substantial number of their players being University of Regina students, presented a proposal to the University of Regina for a "community partnership" under which the University, through the Regina Rams as a University of Regina team, would participate in CIS football commencing in 1999. In the space of a few months, the partnership agreement was concluded and the Canada West conference unanimously approved the addition of a University of Regina football team for the 1999 season and beyond.

The arrangement between the University of Regina and the Regina Rams Football Club is unique in university football in Canada. Broadly stated, the Rams' organization has remained intact (its board being considered an advisory committee to the University) with the community-based funding of the Rams' operations continuing. In large measure, the Club remains financially independent of the University and must pursue a broad range of fundraising projects and activities in order to keep the program running.

The Rams are enthusiastic about their partnership with the University and believe that both parties are achieving substantial benefits from the relationship. The arrangement is an example of the many positive things that can be accomplished through a partnership between the University and the community.

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FACILITIES

The University of Regina Rams have been affiliated with the school since 1999, but they have finally shifted their entire operation to the University's campus. After years of having their offices in a University of Regina building on College Avenue, and decades of having their practice facility at Scotty Livingstone Field, the Rams have moved into the new Centre for Kinesiology, Health and Sports. The Rams' area in the Centre for Kinesiology, Health and Sports covers nearly 9,600 square feet at the southeast corner of the $31.6-million building. The area features a sizable University of Regina Athletes weight room for which the Rams provided the machines from the previous clubhouse at Scotty Livingstone Field. This new weight room is equipped with Olympic free weights, Nautilus-type weight machines, Stairmaster and stationary bike. Televisions, stereos and computer terminals - on which players and coaches can track the athletes' progress - are also in the room.

Down the hall from the weightroom is the Team's main office. Offices for the Head Coach, Offensive Co-ordinator, Defensive Co-ordinator and Marketing Coordinator, as well as a Coaches' meeting room are located here. Continuing down the hall from the offices is the trainers' room, which is estimated to be three times as large as the one at Scotty Livingstone Field, and the equipment manager's room, which is twice the size of its predecessor.

Located across from those rooms is a 2,500-square-foot locker room - that is guaranteed to be the envy of other teams. The room features 68 lockers, including 10 which are six inches wider than the others. These larger lockers are for the team's 300-pound linemen. A folding wall divides the room in half, creating meeting rooms for the offence and defence squads. Each half contains a big-screen TV and a VCR for film work. Adjoined to the locker room is a large sauna for the Ram's players to use after practices and games. The last major area is a directors' room, which features a big-screen TV and a patio. The Rams will use that room to house all of their memorabilia and to stage functions, as well as host the director meetings.

By walking out the south door and crossing a parking lot and a street, the Rams will reach their fully lit practice field. Later this fall, a Sportexe playing surface is to be laid on another practice field - and that is to be the Rams' home. Until its completion, the Rams will continue to play all of their home games at Taylor Field.

Visit the Virtual Tour for more datailed photos and maps.

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SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Education has always been a cornerstone of the Rams' philosophy. Since 1989 the Club has maintained a scholarship program which provides tuition assistance to all Rams players attending post-secondary education (previously SIAST as well as the University of Regina).  The program pays out some $140,000 annually and is now administered through the University of Regina in accordance with CIS requirements.

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YEAR-ROUND TRAINING

University of Regina Rams players participate in a structured off-season training program that combines weight training and running. Experience has shown that the off-season training regime, which is aimed at enhancing power, quickness and speed, pays dividends on the football field.

 

 

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RAMS IN THE COMMUNITY

The University of Regina Rams try to provide the community with more than just a winning football team. Through activities such as conducting football and basketball schools for inner-city boys and girls, and participating in events for Regina's Food Bank, Raise-a-Reader, the Salvation Army and other charitable organizations, the Club hopes to promote a sense of community involvement on the part of Rams athletes and to show appreciation for the community support on which the Club relies.

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MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION

Hard work and dedication on the part of the many people involved in the Club's activities have allowed the Rams to maintain a quality program. The University of Regina Rams are fortunate in having a highly skilled and experienced coaching staff. Exclusively volunteers in the past, some of these coaches are now part-time employees of the football program. The head coach is seconded to the University of Regina on a full-time basis from his employment as a teacher at LeBoldus High School in Regina. Bernie Schmidt, the Offensive Co-ordinator, is also a full-time coach with the Rams Football Club, and during the football season, Paul Dawson the Defensive Co-ordinator is seconded to the University from his school board on a quarter time basis.

Off-field professional support includes the team manager (one of the Club's directors), consulting physicians, physiotherapists, trainers and equipment personnel.

Financial and administrative matters are managed by the Rams Board of Directors. Coming from all walks of life, these volunteers work tirelessly to maintain the high standards the Rams demand of themselves.

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COMMUNITY SUPPORT

The Rams have always received tremendous fan support from Regina and area residents and generous financial support from local sponsors and businesses. That support is not taken for granted and is deeply appreciated. Community support has been instrumental to the past successes of the Rams' program and will be even more important as we operate at the university level.

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