Rider Fan Day draws out the faithful in Saskatoon
Hundreds turn out to grill coach, watch team practice in person
Saskatoon's Gordie Howe Sports Complex was smothered in green Saturday as hundreds of Saskatchewan Roughriders faithful converged on the area for Rider Fan Day.
The event gave fans a chance to watch players practice in person on the SMF (Saskatchewan Minor Football) field and ask questions of head coach Chris Jones during a question-and-answer session.
Among the observers were husband-and-wife Rider fans J.R. Simpson and Anita Campeau.
WATCH: married <a href="https://twitter.com/sskroughriders">@sskroughriders</a> fans Anita Campeau & J.R. Simpson on their hopes for the season and starting QB. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/yxe?src=hash">#yxe</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/saskatoon?src=hash">#saskatoon</a> <a href="https://t.co/IuSHBL1egd">pic.twitter.com/IuSHBL1egd</a>
—@gq_in_sk"We have an excellent fan base. We're always there for the Riders," said Campeau.
Regina parking woes come up
So many fans, in fact, that it led to a question from Q&A attendee Arlene Mongovius about the high cost of attending games in Regina, with parking costing as much as $30 a game.
The team's president and CEO, Craig Reynolds, took that query.
"The reality is there's very little parking on Evraz Place's site. And we actually have to pay now this year, we have to pay the operators for the right to park there. So unfortunately we have to price it [at that]. It's a little bit of supply and demand, to be honest with you."
Quarterback favourite
Also on the minds of fans Saturday: who, after seven days of training camp, would finally be announced as the team's starting quarterback?
Both Campeau and Simpson were rooting for Kevin Glenn.
"I think Glenn deserves it. He's put his time in," said Simpson.
"Yes Glenn for sure," echoed Campeau. "He's been playing for how long? He's taken the teams that he's been with to the Grey Cup or closer to the Grey Cup. So I think he's a great player."