University of Saskatchewan takes the Dog House to Hamilton

Posted November 25, 2004


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Nov. 25, 2004
2004-11-37-OTHER

University of Saskatchewan takes the Dog House to Hamilton
Huskie Football Team Prepares for the Desjardins Vanier Cup

"The University of Saskatchewan is proud to recognize the achievements of
our students and staff involved with Huskie Athletics," said University
President Peter MacKinnon. MacKinnon will be attending the Desjardins Vanier
Cup in Hamilton this Saturday to cheer on the U of S Huskie football team in
its efforts to bring home the national title. "The success of the Huskie
football team is symbolic of the motivation, leadership and spirit of the
University of Saskatchewan experience and is a point of pride for our fans
and alumni across Canada!"

The University of Saskatchewan and Huskie Athletics are pleased to provide
to media, the following fact sheet. Contact information is listed at the
conclusion.

DID YOU KNOW...

- University of Saskatchewan President, Peter MacKinnon issued a challenge
to Michel Pigeon, the Rector at Université Laval. The Challenge: the
winning team's president will give the other a sweatshirt to wear on campus
for a day with the stipulation that photographs be taken and supplied to the
winning institution.

- The U of S has sent an e-mail invitation to approximately 800 alumni
living in the Hamilton and Toronto areas inviting them to an alumni and
friends pre-game party from 10:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. EST at Slainte Irish Pub
(33 Bowen St. in Hamilton). Other U of S alumni, donors, friends and parents
of Huskie players are encouraged to attend the pre-game event in Hamilton.
Special ticket prices are available for the game and seats have been
reserved behind the Huskies bench in Boxes G or H or Sections 5 or 6; game
tickets can be ordered by calling Vanier Cup Office 1-866-482-6437 or
905-547-2287.

- Vanier Cup parties will also be taking place starting at 11:00 a.m. CST in
Saskatoon at the 2,400-seat Physical Activity Complex (call 306-966-1020 for
tickets) and in Edmonton at MO's Sports Parlour (call 780-420-5826 for more
information).

- Huskie Athletics is the biggest sports franchise in Saskatchewan with 400
athletes competing on 15 teams.

- Huskie athletes are also students. Building on a tradition of excellence,
the U of S is proud to continually have student athletes named to the CIS
Academic All-Canadian list. To achieve this, students must have maintained
an average of 80% or better while playing on a university team.
In 2003-04, 51 University of Saskatchewan athletes were honoured as Academic
All-Canadians, and six were from the football team.

- In terms of total dollars, the U of S sells more T-shirts, sweatpants,
ball caps and other attire than any other educational institution in Canada!
- Last year the University Bookstore sold approximately 82,000 pieces of
clothing ($2.1 million in sales). Huskie Athletics apparel represented 55%
or $1.16 million in total sales.
- A revenue sharing model from apparel sales helps support Huskie athletes
contributing more than 10% of their annual budget.
- When the football team won the Vanier Cup in 1998, victory T-shirts were
available in the Huskie store less than an hour after the game thanks to the
work of local suppliers.

- Saskatoon On Board is a one-of-a-kind real estate trading game ("opoly"
style) that is customized to showcase Saskatoon attractions and businesses.
This special game sells for $39.99 (+ tax) and all the proceeds benefit the
Huskies football program, scholarships and player recruitment. The Huskies
Football Alumni are hoping to sell 3,500 games!

- In 2004, there were 9 Huskie football alumni playing in the Canadian
Football League (CFL) including:
Glen Carson, Kevin Lefsrud, Rhett McLane - Edmonton Eskimos
Scott Flory, Matt Kellett - Montreal Alouettes
Gene Makowsky (named the 2004 CFL Outstanding Lineman) - Saskatchewan
Roughriders
Kelly Bates - British Columbia Lions
Jason Crumb (British Columbia Lions) and brother Mike Crumb (Toronto
Argonauts) squared off against each other last weekend in the CFL's Grey
Cup.

- Chad Rempel, wide receiver, was drafted last year by the CFL's Edmonton
Eskimos but chose to play his final year with the Huskies.

- Kicker, Braden Suchan played in three football leagues in 2004 - the CIS,
CJFL, and CFL.

- Football Is A Family Tradition -This year, three sets of brothers play on
the team - Scott and David Stevens (both running backs), Jess and Rylan
Michalchuk, and the Koroll threesome of Jarod (Offensive Line), Jayson
(Linebacker), and Jordan (practice roster). There are numerous Huskies who
have followed in the footsteps of their fathers who are football alum. For
more information on this, please see the 2004 Media Guide or call one of the
contacts below.

The Huskies will return to the Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International
Airport at 11:55 a.m. CST on Sunday Nov. 28.

-30-

For more information, please contact:

Tera Schneider
Sports Information Officer
Huskie Athletics - University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (905) 515-1369 - in Hamilton
Web: www.huskies.usask.ca/

Erin Taman
Communications
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-6919
Email: erin.taman@usask.ca