SportZone lineup for July 30

Here's the lineup for this week's show, the final one of the summer. Following this week, we'll be airing SportZone "greatest hits" shows for the month of August. The new and improved SportZone launches in September. In the meantime, the show still airs Wednesdays at 6 p.m. and Thursdays at 3 p.m. on Access 7.

SportZone Guests for July 30/08
Community Co-Host: Tim Hubic

1. The Regina Pats have a new head coach. He’s also the franchise’s career scoring leader. Guest: Dale Derkatch (Pats Head Coach).

2. Regina gets set to co-host the 2010 World Junior Hockey Championship with Saskatoon. Guests: John Lee & Reid Pedersen (Organizing Committee).

3. A Saskatchewan under-15 girls’ soccer team wins the prestigious USA Cup tournament in Minnesota. Guests: Bob Maltman (Head Coach), Tristal Cherkovits & Adrianna McCullough (Players).

4. A preview of a pair of rhythmic gymnastics summer camps in Regina in August. Guests: Kendra Dodd & Julie Lavasseur (Coaches). (www.gymsask.com)

5. A preview of the 2008 Canadian Masters Track and Field Championships, starting August 1st in Regina. Guests: Selina Coward & Laurie Meloche (Organizing Committee).

6. A preview of the 2008 University of Regina Rams training camp. Guest: Jordan Sisco (Rams receiver).

A preview of the 2008 SaskCentral Queen City Marathon. Guest: Doug Russell (Race Director).

Monday musings

It's getting crowded upstairs. Time to clear out some room:

• I don't know how the Riders manage to keep winning with the ridiculous number of injuries they've accumulated over the first five weeks of the season. What a testament to depth and coaching.
• I hated watching the last three quarters of the game on tv, as opposed to being in the stadium. But, my kid is genuinely afraid of thunderstorms, so we bolted at the end of the first quarter.
• Yesterday I was reminded how frustrating it can be to have Kerry Joseph as your starting quarterback.
• Steven Jyles. There may be hope for him yet!
  
• Wow, there sure are a lot of people who aren't pleased about the Pats selection of Dale Derkatch as the new head coach. I get that, I really do. But I'm trying to keep an open mind. Check back with me around November!
• Training camp starts in 8 days, and I still haven't put together any practice plans for Jacob's RMF team. Yikes!
  

Thursday news

Well, the Regina Pats have hired Dale Derkatch as the new head coach, replacing Curtis Hunt. Derkatch is the Pats all-time scoring leader, and coached the Notre Dame Hounds to a provincial midget AAA title last year.

The Riders have announced that Darian Durant will start at quarterback Sunday against the Toronto Argos. Marcus Crandell's hamstring is being given plenty of time to heal, especially in light of Durant's performance the last three games.

SportZone lineup for July 24

Here's the lineup for the "big show" this week. As per usual, it airs Wednesday at 6 p.m. and Thursday at 3 p.m. on Access channel 7:

SportZone Guests for July 24/08
Community Co-Host: Alynn Brischuk

1. A preview of the 2008 Saskatchewan Summer Games. Guests: Dale Reed (Zone 2/Regina Chef de Mission) & Colin Kostiuk (Archer).

2. A look ahead to the 2008 season for the Regina Thunder junior football club. Guest: Erwin Klempner (Head Coach).

3. The head coach of the University of Regina women’s hockey team is named head coach of the national women’s under-22 team. Guest: Sarah Howald (Cougars Head Coach).

4. The Royal Regina golf club hosts the 100th Saskatchewan men’s amateur championship this week. Guest: Ian Shields (Chair, Host Committee).

5. An update on the local junior racquetball scene. Guests: Ross Richardson (Coach) & Jordon Banin (Boys 8-and-under national champ).

6. Saskatchewan’s only NFL player looks ahead to the 2008 season. Guest: Jon Ryan (Green Bay Packer punter).

Monday musings

Time to get back to a semi-regular posting schedule around here:

• What an exciting (and maybe a little bit lucky) win for the Riders over Montreal Saturday night!
• The Riders have simply owned the 4th quarter against their opponents in the four games this year - a tip of the hat should probably go to strength and conditioning coach Joe Womack.
• Marcus Crandell gets the start at quarterback against Kerry Joseph and the Argos Sunday. Personally, I think Darian Durant deserves to keep playing, but I do respect coach Ken Miller's loyalty to an injured starter.
• Are any local high school or university football players interested in helping coach a minor (age 9-11) football team, even on a part-time basis? Let me know!
• Does anybody know a good (ie: affordable, competent and honest) general contractor or handyman? My guy moved to Alberta last year, and I'm looking for a new "go to" guy - or gal!
• I imagine the Pats will name their new head coach this week or next. I have no idea which candidate Brent Parker favours, but I suppose Marc Habscheid is the top choice of most fans.
• Lots of football discussion, including two high profile guests, on this week's edition of SportZone on Access 7. Don't miss it!
  

SportZone lineup for July 16

Here's the lineup for this week's show, airing Wednesday at 6 p.m. and Thursday at 3 p.m. on Access channel 7:

SportZone Guests for July 16/08
Community Co-Host: Corey Matthews

1. A preview of the 2008 training camp for the Regina Thunder junior football club. Guests: Jason Janssen & Scott Assie (Players).

2. An update on the Regina Pats, including the departure of head coach Curtis Hunt. Guest: Matt Strueby (Pats forward).

3. The University of Regina women’s hockey team adds a well-known local coach to the staff. Guest: John Smith (Cougars Assistant Coach).

4. A profile of a Regina-based pro wrestler and aspiring UFC combatant. Guest: Phil Koldyk (Mixed martial arts competitor).

5. The Executive Director of the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association calls it a career. Guest: Larry Lafrentz (SHSAA Executive Director).

Monday musings

Now that holidays are over, I suppose I should go about updating this blog:

• Southern Ontario is still home, and I'm reminded of that for two weeks of every year.
• I really don't miss the humidity back home during this time of year. Standing still should not be a reason to sweat!
  
• London seems have made great strides in tackling its graffiti problem. Maybe Regina could pick up a few pointers?
• It only took 7.5 hours in the emergency department of one of Canada's most highly-regarded hospitals to have my broken thumb taken care of. And they say Saskatchewan's health care system is in trouble?
• I injured myself water-sliding with Jacob. There, I said it.
• Do you have any idea how many things we use our thumbs for? I'm learning.
• Toronto remains an awesome place to visit ( we hit the Hockey Hall of Fame, the CN Tower and a Blue Jays game - thanks Scott Clark! - all in one afternoon/evening), but I really have no urge to live there.
• The Jane/Finch area of Toronto scares me, even in broad daylight.
  
• Was anyone really surprised that Curtis Hunt chose to join Craig Hartsburg in Ottawa?
  
• If Dale Derkatch is handed the Pats' head coaching job, does assistant coach Terry Perkins stick around?
• Can someone please tell me who thought Steven Jyles was a better quarterback than Darian Durant? I've been pulling for DD since the first exhibition game of this year.
• Would previous editions of the Riders have survived the rash of injuries incurred by this year's team? Eric Tillman has done a tremendous job of stockpiling talent.
• Where are all the people who wondered why Weston Dressler made the roster now?