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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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