By: Justin Boone
jboone@ticats.ca
On Monday night, the Tiger-Cats welcomed their fans to what has become an instant tradition for the residents of TigerTown, the second annual State of the Franchise event.
Over 1,000 Ticats faithful, sporting everything from Black and Gold t-shirts and jerseys to their Sunday best, helped turn the Chedoke Room at the Hamilton Convention Centre into a miniature Ivor Wynne Stadium.
Stadium announcer Jason Farr quarterbacked the evening as emcee, and surprised those in attendance with his own personalized version of Frank Sinatra’s My Kind Of Town (Chicago Is), instead singing about My TigerTown.
Following his first foray into a potential music career, Farr introduced the players and front office staff one by one, taking time to engage each of them, something fans themselves had a chance to do all evening long.
Whether it was Jesse Lumsden declaring he is 110 percent healthy, or Tony Miles referring to his time with the Argos as “being on the dark side,” fans had an opportunity to hear the Ticats speak candidly about the team and the upcoming season.
Farr then announced the new Pigskin Pete, but not before a sentimental goodbye to Paul Weiler, who has held the role for 31 years. Weiler gave a ringing endorsement to his successor Dan Black, who took the stage with an incredible amount of enthusiasm and joined Weiler for a resounding Oskee Wee Wee.
Caretaker Bob Young, team president Scott Mitchell, general manager Bob O’Billovich and head coach Charlie Taaffe had their time in the spotlight as well, as they fielded a variety of questions from fans during an open-mic question and answer period. With the event more than doubling in size from its inception last year, the Ticats brain trust was more than happy to extend the allotted time and make sure any and all inquiries were discussed. The only downfall was that it delayed the Ticats cheerleaders’ from making their first performance since being selected last month.
It was tough to be a part of Monday night and not feel the excitement for the 2008 season, which is now just over three weeks away with the start of training camp.
If fans came away with one thought, it was that we are all a part of TigerTown, a place not divided by geographical boundaries and certainly not confined to Hamilton alone. It’s comprised of every fan, sponsor, player, coach or any individual loyal to the Ticats. A collection of men, women and children, who bleed Black and Gold and shed tears in good times and bad, as they rally around a common link that is their football team, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
