Friday, February 27, 2015

Locker Talk Lineup for February 24

Here's the lineup for this week's show. It aired Tuesday night at 9:00, and hits the Access 7 airwaves again Saturday at noon.


Locker Talk Guests for February 24/15
Co-Host: Mitchell Blair


1.   The Leboldus Golden Suns celebrate their first-ever Luther Invitational high school basketball tournament victory, and set their sights on a second straight city and provincial senior boys title. Guests: Chan DeCiman & Carter Millar (Golden Suns players).

2.   Saskatchewan finishes fourth at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts national women’s curling championship. Guest: Stephanie Schmidt (Team Saskatchewan).

3.   A Regina rink captures the Saskatchewan senior men’s curling championship. Guests: Glen Despins & Brad Law. (Team Saskatchewan curlers).

4.   The Film Room. Locker Talk sports movie reviewer Carlo Palazzo offers his thoughts on another cinematic classic. This time: Miracle.

5.   A post mortem on the 2014/15 season for the University of Regina men’s hockey team team. Guest: Todd Johnson (Head Coach).

6.   A post mortem on the 2014/15 season for the University of Regina men’s basketball team. Guest: Steve Burrows (Head Coach).

7.   The Blair Necessities.  Mitch’s weekly sports commentary.



Locker Talk Commentary for February 17

With Mitch/Scruffy away for a couple of weeks, I got to dust off my commentary/editorial skills. Here's the text of the one that aired on the 17th.




You may not have heard, but the past and the future have been butting heads – not unlike what Rams do in the animal kingdom – over the current state of the University of Regina Rams. Many alumni members of that fine organization – dating back to when the Rams ran roughshod over other junior football teams before graduating to university action in 1999 – are up in arms these days.  They’re angry at the slights – real and perceived – they’re suffering from the current board and the people that run the athletics department at the University of Regina.

It all came to a head recently when long-time head coach Frank McCrystal and his top assistant Bernie Schmidt left – or were shown the door, depending on who you ask. As always, the truth likely lies somewhere in between. Well, that didn’t sit well with the old boys club. Frankly, if you’ll pardon the unintentional pun, they liked things the way they were…the Ram way.

Which, I’ll grant you, worked just fine when the team was the cream of the crop in junior football. But, answer me this – and be honest – how’s that been working out for the Rams lately? Aside from that one run to the Vanier Cup in 2000 – with a roster full of 25-something men – have the Rams been a legitimate championship contender since moving to university football? Really? Seriously?

No, they haven’t. It was time for a change. It was time for a new way of thinking, with a new way of doing things. I don’t know if new head coach Mike Gibson is the man to lead the Rams to the CIS Promised Land, but why not give the man a chance?

Could the transfer of power from McCrystal and Schmidt have been handled better by the University? Absolutely. Was it necessary? I think so.  Remember: What’s the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. The Ram way was great, IN ITS DAY.  But make no mistake, this is not your daddy’s junior football team anymore.

So, I’m sorry to those members of the alumni – many of whom I respect a great deal as football men, and as human beings – that are feeling slighted these days. I hope that the relationship can be repaired – and I acknowledge it’s going to take some time – for the benefit of both sides, and for the benefit of the rest of us who would love to have a top CIS football program to cheer for every fall. Maybe the new way is in fact the right way to update the Ram way. Whattya say we give it a chance?

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Locker Talk Lineup for February 17

And here's the lineup for this week's show, airing tonight at 9 p.m. and Saturday at noon on Access channel 7 in Regina. Tune in, it's gluten free!


Locker Talk Guests for February 17/15
Co-Host: Carlo Palazzo


1.   A post-mortem on the 2014/15 season for the University of Regina men’s volleyball team. Guest: Steve Carston (Graduating player). 

2.   It’s been a busy offseason for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, with players coming and going via trades and free agency. Guest: Rob Vanstone (Regina Leader-Post Sports Coordinator). 

3.   A look ahead to the 2015 season for the Regina Thunder football club, and preview of the team’s annual sports dinner. Guests: Colin Chicoine (Dinner Organizing Committee) & Brent Glen (Thunder Assistant Coach).

4.   The Regina Pat Canadians are riding high in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA hockey league standings. Guests: Brad Herauf (Head Coach) & Riley Woods (Pat C’s forward).

5.   A preview of Reckoning Day, the February card put on in Regina by High Impact Wrestling. Guests: Dixie Dragon & Jacob Creed (Wrestlers – The Brotherhood).

6.   For Pete's Sake.  Pete’s sports commentary.



Locker Talk Lineup for February 10

Holy, talk about being asleep at the switch! Here's the lineup for last week's show. If you wish to check it out, it's available to Access customers in Regina via the On Demand service.


Locker Talk Guests for February 10/15
Co-Host: Carlo Palazzo


1.   A preview of the annual Luther Invitational high school basketball tournament. Guests: Megan Tran (Organizing Committee) & Gabe Hertz (Luther Senior Boys Basketball Player). 

2.   Some big changes are in store for Regina Minor Football in 2015.  Guest: Kelly Hamilton (RMF President). 

3.   Fitness File.  For February. Guests: Daniel Ince & Michelle Espino (Driven Lifestyle Group).

4.   ENG piece featuring Jon Ryan and Geroy Simon at Mother Theresa School in Regina.

5.   Regina gets set to host the 2015 Saskatchewan Special Olympics Winter Games. Guests: Faye Matt (CEO, Special Olympics Saskatchewan).

6.  From the Pressbox.  Pete’s sports commentary. (http://pacsrats.blogspot.com)



Wednesday, February 04, 2015

Locker Talk Lineup for February 3

Watch Mitchell Blair weep openly over Seattle's Super Bowl meldown! All that and so much more on this week's show. It aired last night and will hit the Access 7 airwaves again Saturday at noon. Access customers will also be able to watch it via the On Demand service. Here's the lineup:

Locker Talk Guests for February 3/15
Co-Host: Mitchell Blair


1. Team Canada knocks off the U.S. 25-9 in football at the 2015 U18 International Bowl. Guests: Payton Hall (Team Canada Defensive Back) & Kade Belyk (Team Canada Receiver).   

2. An update on the 2014-15 season for the Regina Rebels female midget AAA hockey club. Guests: Kim Perepeluk (Head Coach), Chelsea Perepeluk & Delaney Frey (Rebels players). 

3. Access 7 Sports Plays of the Month. For January. 

4. It has been a very busy offseason for the Regina Riot women’s football club, including a complete turnover in the administrative and coaching staff. Guests: Emma Hicks (General Manager) & Shawn McCall (Head Coach).   

5. A preview of the Red Bull Kite Farm snow kite endurance race, coming to Regina later this month. Guest: Zach Wilson (Organizing Committee).

6. The Blair Necessities. Mitch’s weekly sports commentary.