Terri Flatt
Ticats.ca
Bert Faibish
Black and Gold Day was a huge success, as almost 3,000 fans who turned out in droves to cheer on their favourite players, take pictures with cheerleaders and collect some autographs at the end of the day.
For the first time ever, the Ticats held their annual Black and Gold game in Burlington, turning Corpus Christi Secondary School into the capital of TigerTown.
“We wanted to reach our fans that live outside of Hamilton but are still in what we consider the TigerTown area,” said the Tiger-Cats Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Jim Edmands.
“Having the opportunity to bring our football team and a whole host of other activities to our fans in Burlington is an amazing opportunity, and something we really wanted to do,” he added.
Even before the players arrived, fans took advantage of some of the stations that were set up in the early afternoon. Giant inflatables, a kick and pass station and a BBQ put on by Jack Astor’s were just a few of the things that people were able to enjoy.
“This is just an amazing event that they’ve put on here,” said longtime Ticat fan and Burlington resident, Paul Morgan.
“I’ve just been walking around, taking in some of the great things they have out here, just a first class event.”
Of course the real reason all the fans were there, was the players, who took part in a short practice before going head to head in the team’s annual scrimmage.
Coach Bellefeuille was mic’d up, so fans could experience the game as if they were right on the sideline. He had plenty to say, especially since the club brought in a team of refs to officiate the scrimmage, giving it an added realistic feel. After the scrimmage, Ticats players and coaches put on a football clinic for Burlington Minor Football players from all across the city.
Whether it was quarterback Kevin Glenn showing players how to spin a tight spiral, or wide receiver Maurice Mann giving kids tips on their route running, it was obvious that everyone involved was enjoying themselves.
“Being able to get out here with these kids is really an amazing opportunity to give back to minor football,” said Glenn.
“We all grow up playing football and I know that I would have loved something like this when I was younger, so I just try to relax and show them some things, but more importantly have some fun,” he said.
On the other side of the field, the rest of the team got the chance to mingle with fans and get autographs from some of their favourite players.
“Being able to just walk around out here and meet all the guys is really the best part,” said Ticat fan Tom Jacobson.
Thanks to the fans, players and most importantly the weather, the Black and Gold game was once again a huge success and marks the beginning of what will hopefully be another successful Tiger-Cat season.
