Locker Talk Lineup for June 23

A little late this getting this posted - sorry!  Here's the lineup for last week's show. On the bright side, I suspect it will air again this week; Tuesday at 9 p.m. and Saturday at noon. Plus it'll be available via Access' On Demand menu for a long, long time!

Locker Talk Guests for June23/15 Co-Host: Mitchell Blair 1. The Regina Water Polo Armada is celebrating a very successful 2014/15 water polo season, and looking ahead to next year. Guests: Jacob Brentnell, Stephen Gloade & Katie Campbell (Regina water polo athletes). 2. The Regina Lawn Bowling Club gets set to host a fundraiser for KidSport Saskatchewan. Guests: Ernie Meid (Event Organizer) & Adrian Miller (KidSport Regina).   3. The Film Room. Locker Talk sports movie reviewer Carlo Palazzo offers his thoughts on a sports cinema classic. This time: The Color of Money.  4. A look back at some of the highlights of the 2014/15 Regina high school athletic season. Guest: Angela Tillier (RHSAA Commissioner).   5. Panel discussion. A look back at some of the major local sports stories over the past season, and a look ahead to what’s in store for the rest of 2015. Panelists: Carlo Palazzo (Locker Talk correspondent) & Drew Dalby (104.9 The Wolf announcer).  6. The Blair Necessities. Mitch’s weekly sports commentary. ( http://blair-necessities.blogspot.ca)

Locker Talk Lineup for June 16

It's the second last show of the broadcast season! You can literally feel the excitement coursing through your television screen.  Here's the lineup for the show, airing tonight at 9:00 on Access channel 7 in Regina. Also available On Demand afterwards.

Locker Talk Guests for June16/15 Co-Host: Mitchell Blair 1. A preview of the 2015 Swervin’ Mini Indy Laps for Life charity fundraiser. Guest: Merv Armstrong (Organizer).   2. An update on the 2015 Western Major Baseball League season for the Regina Red Sox. Guest: Scott Douglas (Head Coach). 3. The Saskatchewan African Canadian Heritage Museum will host a special event in September, featuring former Roughrider players who chose to stay in Canada after their CFL careers ended. Guest: Carol Lafayette-Boyd (Event Organizer). 4. Organizers and participants are getting ready for the national U19 rugby championships coming to Regina in July. Guests: Krista Culling & Grant Canfield (Planning Committee Chairs) & Julia Folk (Team Canada rugby player).   5. A preview of Merciless, the June event put on in Regina by High Impact Wrestling, and a look ahead to the popular Pile ‘O Bones Rumble in August. Guests: Alexander Prime & Bucky McGraw (HIW wrestlers).   6. The Blair Necessities. Mitch’s weekly sports commentary.

Locker Talk Lineup for June 9

We're into the final countdown now, with only three shows left in the broadcast season. Here's the lineup for this week's instant classic. If you missed it Tuesday night, it'll air again Saturday at noon on Access channel 7 in Regina.


Locker Talk Guests for June 9/15
Co-Host: Mitchell Blair

1. A preview of the 2015 Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame Induction Dinner. Guests: Sheila Kelly (SSHF Executive Director) & Kim MacDougall (2015 Inductee).

2. The Campbell Tartans celebrate a 7th straight city high school track and field team championship. Guests: Darren Peters (Head Coach), Michaela Allen & Chloe McEachern (Campbell Track Athletes).  

3. Locker Talk Fitness File. The summer edition! With hosts Daniel Ince & Michelle Espino (Driven Lifestyle Group). 

4. An update on the season to date at Regina’s King’s Park Speedway. Guest: Stacey Getz (Regina Auto Racing Club President).  

5. The Regina Riot is poised to take a run at its first Western Women’s Canadian Football League championship. Guests: Thomas Retzlaff (Assistant Coach – WR) & Amery Deren (Defensive Line).  

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

Locker Talk Lineup for June 2

Here's the lineup for this week's show, airing tonight at 9:00 and Saturday at noon on Access channel 7 in Regina.

Locker Talk Guests for June 2/15
Co-Host: Mitchell Blair

1. A profile of the Regina Gaels Gaelic Football Club. Guests: Ronan Costello & Mark Landers (Regina Gaels).

2. Regina will host the national junior (U21) baseball championships this August. Guest: Nolan Bracken (Baseball Saskatchewan).

3. A preview of the Regina Thunder alumni golf tournament, and look ahead to the 2015 PFC season. Guests: Jamie Lofthang & Scott Assie (Thunder Alumni Association).

4. Access 7 Sports Plays of the Month. For May.

5. The sport of cricket continues to experience rapid growth in Regina and across Saskatchewan. Guests: Afzaal Siddique (Regina Cricket Association) & Raza Naqvi (Saskatchewan Cricket Association).

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

Locker Talk Lineup for May 26

We're heading into the home stretch of the 2014/15 season, with only four shows to go after this week. So, expect each one to be a classic! Here's the lineup for this week's classic, airing tonight at 9:00 and Saturday at noon on Access channel 7.

Locker Talk Guests for May 26/15
Co-Host: Mitchell Blair

1. A preview of the 2015 Saskatchewan Roughrider CFL training camp. Guest: Murray McCormick (Regina Leader-Post Rider Correspondent).

2. A preview of the Jon Ryan Charity Golf Classic and Wednesday Night Live fundraiser, featuring Regina’s own Super Bowl champion. Guest: Ryan Honoway (Organizing Committee).

3. A preview of the national U19 rugby championships coming to Regina in July. Guests: Krista Culling & Grant Cranfield (Planning Committee Chairs).

4. The Film Room. Locker Talk movie reviewer Carlo Palazzo is back to offer his thoughts on another classic from the genre of sports movies. This time: Clue.

5. Two Reginans are preparing to represent Canada at the Parapan Am Games in Toronto in July. Guests: Carla Nicholls (Team Canada Head Coach) & Janz Stein (Team Canada Parathlete).

6. A preview of Fallout, the May Regina card presented by High Impact Wrestling. Guest: Robbie Gamble (Central Canadian Heavyweight Champ).

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

End of an Era?

One of Regina's most iconic high school football programs is on life support. Members of the Thom Trojans football team recently learned their annual spring football camp has been cancelled, following the resignation of the team's head coach. In addition, a couple of veteran assistant coaches are poised to transfer to other schools in the fall. Administrators are looking for options, including exploring the possibility of merging the football programs at Thom and Johnson Collegiate.

It's another stomach punch for the kids and teachers at Thom, who have had a nightmarish 2015 so far - including the murder of a female classmate and subsequent charges being laid against two male Thom students, as well as a fatal traffic accident on the Ring Road that led to charges against another Thom student.

Here's hoping the Trojans football program can be brought back from the brink, and start to restore some of the school spirit for which Thom was so well known in past years.

Locker Talk Lineup for May 19

I made my return to the Access 7 studio last night, after several weeks away due to RMF spring league coaching duties. Here's the lineup for the show, which aired last night and will hit the airwaves again Saturday at noon.

Locker Talk Guests for May 19/15
Co-Host: Mitchell Blair

1. A preview of the 2015 Ken Goff Memorial Boxing Classic. Guests: Pat Fiacco (Event Chair) & Scott Hubic (Organizing Committee).

2. The Regina Thunder is loading up for a run at a second Canadian junior football championship. Guests: Stefan Endsin (Offensive Coordinator) & Jaeden Marwick (Thunder QB).  

3. The Regina Heat senior men’s lacrosse team takes it show on the road and then some – competing in an international tournament in the Czech Republic. Guests: Jody Schmeltzer & Dallan Larson (Heat Players).  

4. A look ahead to the 2015 Credit Unions Queen City Marathon. Guest: Shawn Weimer (Race Director).  

5. The Regina Auto Racing Club (RARC) is “gearing up” for another exciting summer of racing action at King’s Park Speedway. Guest: Stacey Getz (RARC President). (www.kingsparkspeedway.org) 

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


Before I forget, thanks to Drew Dalby from 104.9 the Wolf and Carlo Palazzo for filling in as hosts the past three weeks. Here's the lineup for the previous shows in May, which Access customers can check out via the On Demand menu:

Locker Talk Guests for May 12/15
Hosts: Mitchell Blair & Drew Dalby

1. The registration deadline for Regina Minor Football’s 2015 fall season is in only three days. Get those registrations in! Guest: Kelly Hamilton (RMF President).  

2. A look back at last week’s WHL bantam draft, and what has already been an eventful offseason for the Regina Pats. Guest: Todd Lumbard (Team President) & Lukas Sillinger (Pats prospect).  

3. Locker Talk Fitness File. For May. With hosts Daniel Ince and Michelle Espino (Driven Lifestyle Group).   

4. The O’Neill Titans celebrate an 8th straight city high school badminton team championship. Guests: Trang Dong and Sara Kowalski (Titans badminton players – city girls doubles champs).   

5. A preview of the 2015 Regina Highland Games, featuring the very popular heavy event competition. Guest: Jason Johnston (Organizer/Heavy Events Competitor).   

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

 

Locker Talk Guests for May 5/15
Hosts: Mitchell Blair & Drew Dalby
 
1. A preview of the 2015 Saskatchewan Roughriders training camp from the perspective of a player poised for a big “bounce back” season. Guest: Chris Getzlaf (Saskatchewan Roughrider slotback).  

2. Access 7 Sports Plays of the Month. For April. 

3. A preview of this coming weekend’s season opener for the Regina Riot women’s football team. Guests: Shawn McCall (Head Coach) & Claire Dore (Receiver). 

4. Next week’s CFL draft will launch the professional football career of at least one Regina product. Guest: Addison Richards (U of R Rams receiver).  

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

Locker Talk Lineup for April 28

Here's the lineup for this week's show. Unfortunately, my RMF coaching duties prevent me from being there for the taping. Which may be all the incentive you need to tune in!

The show airs tonight at 9 p.m. and Saturday at noon.


Locker Talk Guests for April 28/15
Hosts: Mitchell Blair & Carlo Palazzo

1. The Regina Pat Canadians celebrate a successful 2014-15 midget AAA hockey season, capped off with a bronze medal at the Telus Cup. Guests: Brad Herauf (Head Coach), Arthur Miller & Connor Chaulk (Forwards).  

2. The Regina Lawn Bowling Club has a busy 2015 season planned, starting with an Open House this coming weekend. Guests: Jean Roney & Jordan Kos (Regina Lawn Bowling Club).  

3. The Film Room. Locker Talk sports movie reviewer Carlo Palazzo offers his thoughts on the sports cinema classic Maverick. 

4. An introduction to the men’s and women’s champions from the 2015 WCP Cup indoor soccer tournament. Guests: Sarah Novak (Team Scotland - Women) & Jarvis Huyghebaert (Team Canada – Men).  

5. A review of this past weekend’s University of Regina Rams spring camp. Guest: Mike Gibson (Head Coach).  

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

Locker Talk Lineup for April 21

And here's the lineup for this week's show. It aired last night at 9:00, and will hit the Access 7 airwaves again Saturday at noon.

Locker Talk Guests for April 21/15
Co-Host: Mitchell Blair

1.   Golfers and course operators are hoping winter weather is finally behind us, so the 2015 golf season can begin. Guest: Bryan Raymond (Flowing Springs Golf Greens).  2.   Locker Talk Fitness File. With hosts Daniel Ince & Michelle Espino (Driven Lifestyle Group).  3.   A post mortem on the 2014-15 season for the Traveland RV (Pilot Butte) Storm junior B hockey club. Guest: Dale Lewgood (General Manager).  4.   The Regina Riot is gearing up for a run at the Western Women’s Canadian Football League (WWCFL) championship in 2015.  Guests: Emma Hicks (General Manager) and Katie Rogal (DE).  5.  A preview of Spring Meltdown, the annual extravaganza hosted by High Impact Wrestling in Regina. Guest: King Kash (HIW CEO).  6.   The Blair Necessities.  Mitch’s weekly sports commentary.

Locker Talk Lineup for April 7

Well, I certainly haven't been keeping on top of this, have I?  Here's the lineup for the April 7th edition of Locker Talk on Access 7, which aired for two weeks in the Tuesday (9 p.m.) and Saturday (noon) time slot.


Locker Talk Guests for April 7/15
Co-Host: Mitchell Blair

1.   A preview of the 2015 Regina Red Sox Sports Dinner and Auction. Guest: Gary Brotzel (Team President). 2.   Regina Minor Football is a busy place these days, with the spring league starting this week and registrations pouring in for the fall league. Guest: Len Antonini (RMF Executive Director). 3.   Access 7 Sports Plays of the Month. For March. 4.   An update on the annual World Class Players (WCP) Cup indoor soccer tournament. Guest: Adam Ailsby (Organizing Committee & player – Team Laos).  5.   A post mortem on the 2014-15 season for the Extreme Hockey Regina Capitals junior B hockey club. Guests: Jeff MacPherson (Team President) & Rob Crone (Board Member). 6.   A preview of the 2015 training camp for the Regina Riot women’s football team. Guests: Olivier Eddie (Offensive Coordinator) & Aimee Kowalski (Quarterback). 7.   The Blair Necessities.  Mitch’s weekly sports commentary.

Locker Talk Lineup for March 31

Here's the lineup for this week's show. It aired last night, and will repeat on Access channel 7 in Regina Saturday at noon. Also available On Demand for Access customers.

Locker Talk Guests for March 31/15
Co-Host: Mitchell Blair

1. The Leboldus Golden Suns celebrate a third straight city and provincial high school senior boys (large schools) basketball championship. Guests: Chan De Ciman & Kade Belyk (Golden Suns players).  

2. The Campbell Tartans celebrate a second straight city high school senior girls (large schools) basketball championship. Guests: Quinn Anderson & Paige Jeannot (Tartans players).   

3. The Film Room. Locker Talk sports movie reviewer Carlo Palazzo looks at another sports cinema classic from days gone by. This time: Furious 6. 

4. The RCS Grizzlies celebrate a city and provincial high school senior boys (small schools) basketball championship. Guests: Geoff Glaspell (Head Coach), Simon Nieblis, Jackson Brailean & Zakkery Tamlin (Players).  

5. The Pile ‘O Bones Roller Derby Club is gearing up for the 2015 season. Carnage ensues! Guests: Bree Cannon (Derby name: Anna Filactic) & Rachel Beeson (Derby name: Scarlett O’Nail Ya). 

6. A preview of the 2015 Paul Woldu and Friends Football Camp. Guests: Paul Woldu (Camp Director & Saskatchewan Roughrider defensive back) & Stan Van Sichem (Co-Camp Director).

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

Locker Talk Lineup for March 24

Okay, I'm really late in getting this posted this week - sorry!  Anyway, here's the lineup for this week's show. It aired Tuesday night and repeats Saturday at noon. As always, it will be available via On Demand for Access customers as well.


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

1.  A post mortem on the 2014-15 season for the University of Regina wrestling team. Guests: Indyhra Linares (Canada West silver medalist – 59kg) & Jacob Luczak (CIS bronze medalist – 100kg). 2.   The O’Neill Titans celebrate back-to-back city and provincial boys and girls team wrestling championships. Guest: Cassy Davis (Wrestler – city champion 60kg). 3.   A post mortem on the 2014-15 season for the University of Regina track and field team. Guest: Tevaughn Campbell (Cougars sprinter). 4.   A post mortem on the 2014-15 season for the Regina Rebels female midget AAA hockey club. Guests: Santana Gravelle & Zoe Istace (Rebels players). 5.   The Blair Necessities.  Mitch’s weekly sports commentary.

Locker Talk Lineup for March 10

Another dandy collection of guests on this week's show! Here's the lineup. As per usual, the show airs tonight at 9 pm and Saturday at noon. This week's show will also be aired next week at the same times. Only on Access 7 in Regina!

Locker Talk Guests for March 10/15
Co-Host: Mitchell Blair

1. A post mortem on the 2014-15 season for the University of Regina women’s basketball team. Guest: Dave Taylor (Head Coach).

2. Registration opens soon for the 2015 Credit Union Queen City Marathon. Guest: Shawn Weimer (Race Director).

3. A preview of the 2015 Battle of the Prairies amateur boxing event on April 24th. Guest: Frank Fiacco (Lonsdale Boxing Club President). 

4. Locker Talk Fitness File. For March. With hosts Daniel Ince and Michelle Espino (Driven Lifestyle Group).

5. The Regina Thunder is preparing for another run at a national junior football championship in 2015. Guests: Scott MacAulay (Head Coach) & Kris Calcutt (Thunder rookie receiver).

6. A look back at the tenure of the first President and CEO of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Guest: Jim Hopson (Rider CEO – retired).

7. A preview of Unbreakable, the March card (and Access 7 TV taping) put on by High Impact Wrestling in Regina this Friday night. Guests: Mike McSugar &Michael Allen Richard Clark (Wrestlers).

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

Locker Talk Lineup for March 3

Here's the lineup for this week's show. It aired last night and will repeat on Access 7 in Regina at noon on Saturday. It'll also be available On Demand later this week. So...have fun with it!


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

1.   Registration is open for the 2015 Baseball Regina season. Guest: Leo MacDonald (Baseball Regina Board Member). 2.   A post mortem on the 2014-15 season for the University of Regina women’s hockey team. Guest: Triston Riemer (Cougars captain – graduating). 3.   Access 7 Sports Plays of the Month. For January. 4.   A preview of the 2015 Don Narcisse All-Star Football Camp. Guest: Don Narcisse (Camp Director – Rider legend). 5.   Local athletes are getting ready for the 2015 outdoor track and field season. Guest: Carla Nicholls (Excel Athletika Head Coach). 6.   The Blair Necessities.  Mitch’s weekly sports commentary.

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?