OXLA - Why Should You Care?
Written by Rob Abramenko Thursday, 15 April 2010 22:32
'Sport strips away personality, letting the white bone of character shine through. Sport gives players an opportunity to know and test themselves' ~ Rita Mae Brown. The lacrosse season starts tonight with the Vernon Tigers taking on the Kamloops Rattlers...but why should you even care?
THE OXLA. IS IT WORTH SUPPORTING? - I have 5 bucks left...should I really watch lacrosse? YES!:
In 1996, a local lacrosse player named Rob Jenner came into the radio station and pulled me into a sport that I now love today! Back then, I had just taken over the sports department at CJIB, when Jenner asked me to take in a local senior mens lacrosse game. I accepted his invitation and came out to watch what was probably one of the worst excuses for an organized sport I had ever seen. There were maybe...and I mean maybe....five wives or girlfriends watching, two teams that barely had matching uniforms, officials that couldn't even get out on the floor on time and generally a lack of interest on putting on any type of show. I walked out of the Civic arena after 10 minutes shaking my head
and trying to come up with a plan to wriggle out of any future committments to Jenner and senior lacrosse. I was even more shocked that the very next day he came back to the office and asked me what I thought about it. At that point, I thought it was perfect time to be honest and tell him, I would be more interested in covering a pancake flipping contest. He seemed hurt by the comments, but what shocked me even more was when he still asked me to help out.
This guy didn't take a hint or even a blatant thanks but no thanks. I was impressed by his determination to bring the sport back to its glory years. So I made him a deal...I'll cover the sport...heck I'll even do P.A. announcing...but I wanted to see the same committment from the organizers and the players. If they would try and bring credibility to the league, I would give it a fair shot. Well thru the next 14 years, I have been wowed by the people who have given their heart and soul to the sport...and thats why this league is relevant. Because people actually care about it. Ryan Nitchie's work with the Armstrong Shamrocks and Pat Bonin's work with the league and Vernon's team have been amazing. Other people, like the Rintouls, the Bronsons and the Skolroods who made lacrosse a family affair and have given more of their time and support than anyone I know. Jeff Connaughton and the team of officials who work very hard game in and game out. Players like Chad Pounder, Pat Nelson, Mike Kettles, Kirk Krause, the Latimer boys, Myles Brumpton, Doug Manning and Dave Bannister and so many more...who go out and play their hearts out, despite having to take their sore bodies out of bed early the next morning for their day jobs. Thats why the Senior Mens league deserves our support because its made up of people in our community who care, who make sacrifices to play a sport, to entertain a crowd and to test themselves. If there is one thing you do this summer...make sure you come out and check out a game. You will be entertained, I guarantee it.
LACROSSE AT KISS FM? - Why I have a really cool boss!:
One of the best things about working at KISS FM, is that we are encouraged to be local first. Its not always about the almighty buck. Patrick Nicol has always gone above and beyond to allow us to cover local events and sports. And our committment to lacrosse will continue again this summer. We have added a new link to our local first page. We will now have updated stories on both the Vernon Sr. Tigers, Armstrong Shamrocks and the Junior Tigers. We also have links to their brand new websites as well. Make sure you check that out. Also watch for some highlight videos this year as well.
PICTURE OF THE DAY - Shrek stares down a Rattler (image courtesy of Ed Cummings)
DOYLE CUP TICKETS:
Despite this blog being all about lacrosse, we can't forget to cheer on the Vernon Vipers in their quest for a second straight Doyle Cup. Vernon is battling the Spruce Grove Saints in the best of seven series starting tonight in Spruce Grove. KISS FM will have all the play by play action starting at 5:45pm both tonight and tomorrow and possibly Sunday. If you would like to go to one of the games when the series returns to Vernon then drop me a line here. We'll make a couple of draws for tickets on Monday, April 19th.
