ROBSERVATIONS: Highway highlights … happy 10th anniversary, Rob Harrison! … sour grapes from the “other” Rob … and a musical note

Proceeding north toward Southey on Friday, I marvelled at pertinence and perfection — in the form of a well-placed green and white sign.

At the juncture of Highways 6 and 22, directions were provided to:

Melfort (keep going).

Earl Grey (turn left).

Cupar (turn right).

The first three letters after Grey: Cup!

10-YEAR TENURE

Often overheard around the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ business office:

• “Rob is an invaluable employee.”

• “Rob is one of the funniest people ever.”

• “Rob is always so cheerful and helpful.”

That’s our Rob Harrison.

My friend Rob, the Roughriders’ Volunteer and Guest Experience Manager, is celebrating his 10th anniversary as a full-time employee of the team.

His start date: March 1, 2016.

Among other responsibilities, Rob administers the Rider Squad — a small army of volunteers, without whom it would not be possible to put on a game day that any of us would recognize.

The Rider Squad cheerfully performs sundry duties, such as ticket-scanning, hosting sections, fielding questions … etc.

Rob brings it all together — every year, every game — in addition to making every minute at the office a better experience, just by being here.

That’s not just because he has a candy basket on his desk.

(Thanks for the free chocolates, by the way, and sorry for the lack of replenishment.)

Rob is not the boastful sort, but I nonetheless reached out to him and asked for his sentiments on the 10-year tenure.

“I started volunteering for the 2013 Grey Cup and had a great time, which transitioned into being a part of the leadership team for the Rider volunteers and in 2016 a staff member,” Rob recalled.

“In some respects, I have come full circle with a great team of volunteers, now known as the Rider Squad, and an equally fantastic team of co-workers with a Grey Cup in 2025.

“Rider Nation is truly infectious. Once you are a part of it, you don’t want to let it go.”

The following nugget should tell you everything about Rob (the good one).

“When selecting his milestone gift of choice, he selected a donation to the Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation in his name — which is so honourable,” said Kim Gallagher, our Director, Talent Management and People Operations.

Mr. Harrison is, for the record, the Honourable Rob.

As for the other guy … well, two Robs don’t make a right.

SOUR GRAPES DEPT.

Did the better team really win?

That question has been percolating across our home and native land since the United States’ men’s hockey team registered a (lucky) 2-1 overtime victory over Canada (the better team) in the 2026 Winter Olympics gold-medal final.

With Connor Hellebuyck working miracles in net — receiving timely assistance from a goal post when Nathan MacKinnon was on the doorstep of a wide-open net — the Americans won despite being outplayed (over the final two periods) and outshot (42-28 overall).

That got me thinking: How often has a Roughriders game unfolded in that fashion?

I immediately flashed back (painfully) to Sept. 19, 1976, when Edmonton visited Taylor Field.

Saskatchewan had won the teams’ previous two meetings that season, by scores of 40-0 and 34-7.

Yet, Edmonton won Game 3 (25-22).

All these years later, I still can’t process it.

First downs: Saskatchewan 19, Edmonton 12.

Yards rushing: Saskatchewan 149, Edmonton 100.

Yards passing: Saskatchewan 187, Edmonton 57.

Total offence: Saskatchewan 334, Edmonton 152.

Completions: Saskatchewan 16, Edmonton 6. (Bruce Lemmerman: 3-for-8; Tom Wilkinson: 3-for-10.)

Tyrone Walls led Edmonton in receiving yards (26).

So what happened?

Edmonton’s Joe Hollimon scored on a 53-yard punt return.

Saskatchewan fumbled on its nine-yard line.

I cried a lot.

It still bothers me.

Happy ending: Edmonton returned to Taylor Field for one more visit in 1976.

Saskatchewan won the Western Final, 23-13, and earned a berth in the 64th Grey Cup Game.

The better team didn’t win that one, either!

First downs: Saskatchewan 18, Ottawa 14.

Completions: Saskatchewan 22, Ottawa 11.

Interceptions by: Saskatchewan 3, Ottawa 0.

Penalties against: Ottawa 14, Saskatchewan 5.

So what happened?

Bill Hatanaka scored on a 79-yard return.

The Roughriders couldn’t convert a third-and-one gamble from Ottawa’s four-yard line.

And Tony Gabriel was wide open for the winning touchdown.

(Sniffle.)

Clearly, we need a happier, peppier item …

WANT TO JOIN THE PEP BAND?

I have been asked to trumpet the news of the 620 CKRM Saskatchewan Roughrider Pep Band’s upcoming open house and rehearsal.

The event is set for March 15, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., at Fly Fitness (1438 Lindsay St.).

“We are looking for new members from this great province,” says Rhonda Kerr-White, a founding member of the 34-year-old ensemble. “They must play a percussion, brass or woodwind instrument, have at least a mild interest in football, and be willing to have fun and enjoy being peppy!”

And they must be at least 18 years of age.

For more information, email skriderpepband@gmail.com or CLICK HERE to visit the Pep Band’s Facebook page

ROLL CREDITS …

• Nice people who deserve a plug: Rob Haroldson, Rob Harrison, Edwin Harrison, Courtney Sisco, Megan Herber, Kim Gallagher, Marquay McDaniel, Kelsey Lonie, Captain Kevin Heselton, Darren Zary, Donna Pasiechnik, Erwin Klempner, Robyn Jensen, Erin Stankewich, Matthew Gourlie, Neale Partington, Gerry Thompson, Ryan McDonald, Barry Clarke, Robby Williams, Ken Schneider, Rhonda Kerr-White, Don Hewitt, Barney Shynkaruk, Curtis Gammon, Colson Schulz, Jessica Furlan, Mark Furlan, Nevin Halyk, Royann Halyk, Carson Osborne, Calvert Reynolds, Noel Reynolds, Tommy Stevens, Shelley Thoen-Chaykoski, Julia Schofer and everyone in Foam Lake.

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