A Saskatoon football lifer

Game took Yausie from Nutana to CFL to Football Sask

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Jeff Yausie points out instructions on the Hilltops sideline on Aug. 24.

There was a time the current CEO of Football Saskatchewan and defensive coordinator of the Saskatoon Hilltops was not on the road to having a football life.

Way back when he was in elementary school, Jeff Yausie decided to give the sport a shot during a tryout camp for the Kinsmen Football League. At the time, he decided to continue with hockey, baseball, fastpitch softball and track and field as he liked those sports better.

It wasn’t until his Grade 9 year in high school that Yausie really started to be attracted to the game when he was attending Nutana Collegiate. He played for the Nutana Collegiate Blues junior team in Grade 9 and became the starting running back with the Blues senior team in Grade 10. He continued as the starting running back through Grades 11 and 12 on the way to graduating from Nutana in June of 1984.

With Yausie on the senior team, the Blues made it to the 3A provincial final in 1981 and 1983 falling to Regina Luther and Regina Central respectively. Now at age 59, Yausie still reflects on those years fondly and chuckles when today’s high school, junior and university aged players are surprised Nutana once had a team.

“They certainly don’t get it,” said Yausie. “They only see Nutana in the same vision as it is right now.

“It was a real small school when I went in the early 80s, and I had some super good friends. (We had incredible) sports people and incredible teachers at Nutana, so it was a great experience. It is so different in a small school, because you’re friends with everybody.

“It is not as clicky. We all hung out together and partied together and played together, and it didn’t matter if you were academic or if you were hanging out in the smokers’ lounge or whatever. Everybody was a part of the sports teams, and we were all friends.”

For a number of years now, Yausie’s Football Saskatchewan office has been located at the Gordie Howe Sports Centre building on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds. It is filled with all sorts of mementos from his football life. His position as the CEO of Football Saskatchewan, which governs the sport in the province, takes him all over the province and on various trips across Canada with work in the game.

When the Hilltops CJFL season is going, he can often be found at their evening practices at Ron Atchison Field or on the team’s sidelines during game days including home tilts at Saskatoon Minor Football Field serving as the club’s defensive coordinator. Over the decades, his football journey has been a long and winding one.

Jeff Yausie’s bio in the 1989 CFL Facts, Figures and Records book.

After graduating from high school, Yausie switched positions to defensive back to play four seasons with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team from 1984 to 1987 in what is now known as the U Sports ranks. His rookie season just happened to be the first year that saw Brian Towriss begin his journey as the Huskies legendary head coach. Yausie was joined on the Huskies by his twin brother, James.

In the 1988 CFL Draft, Jeff Yausie was selected in the fifth round and 36^th overall by the Calgary Stampeders. He was listed at standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 195 pounds in the 1989 CFL Facts, Figures and Records book.

After the Stampeders training camp wrapped up in 1988, Yausie elected to suit up for the Hilltops, because his younger brother Paul was still playing on the team. James had departed from the Huskies after graduating from U of S with his commerce degree.

With the rules that existed at the time, Jeff was called back to the Stampeders and would get into three regular season games with the CFL squad. When he didn’t suit up for the Stampeders, he was allowed to fly to wherever the Hilltops schedule took them and play for them on their game days.

Overall, Yausie is amazed by the memories he has collected in the game.

“I just feel so lucky to do something that I’m passionate about,” said Yausie. “My friends in the football community, it has just been so rewarding to work with.

“It is such a unique game in how much we practice and how hard it is. Those are the kind of people I want to be around.”

In 1989, Yausie was cut by the Stampeders. He was then contacted by fellow Saskatoon product Brendan Taman, who was at the time the manager of football operations for the Ottawa Rough Riders.

Jeff Yausie, left, on the sideline with Tom Sargeant.

Yausie proceeded to sign with Ottawa and played two games with the Rough Riders in the 1989 season. He was released by the Rough Riders before the start of the 1990 season and returned home to Saskatoon.

While taking classes at the U of Saskatchewan, Yausie was brought into Football Saskatchewan by a friend to do volunteer work. He was hired to a paid position with Football Saskatchewan in the early to mid 1990s as technical director at first on a part-time basis and was moved to full-time status a short time later.

About 1999, Yausie moved to become the executive director of Saskatchewan Blind Sports. While with Saskatchewan Blind Sports, Yausie was still on Football Saskatchewan’s board of directors.

He moved back to a full-time role with Football Saskatchewan about late 2000, early 2001 as the body’s executive director. The opening came after Bernie Schmidt left Football Saskatchewan due to the fact he wanted to focus full time on his offensive coordinator position with the University of Regina Rams Football Team.

Yausie worked continuously with Football Saskatchewan since that time ultimately becoming the sport body’s CEO.

“I’ve been super fortunate just to be involved in football in this province,” said Yausie. “People are so passionate about football.

“It is 99 per cent good, and there is always one per cent bad in whatever you do. It has just been a terrific experience. We’ve had super supportive people on the board of directors over the years and just very few problems.

“One of the things that I believe in as an organization is empowering your staff and the people around you. We’ve had a terrific staff at Football Sask., and we’ve certainly grown as we’ve grown as an organization. I think we had about 5,000 or 6,000 members in around 2001 with Football Sask., and we’ve grown to around 23,000 or 24,000 now.”

During Yausie’s time with Football Saskatchewan, the organization has grown to the point it has two main offices. The north office located at the Complex covers Saskatoon and the northern part of the province. The south office located at Mosaic Stadium in Regina covers Regina and the southern part of Saskatchewan.

He is also proud of how the female side of the sport has grown during his time with Football Saskatchewan. Yausie once coached a flag team that contained his daughter, Beau, and the team won a national title in 2012.

Jeff Yausie, left, works the Valkyries sideline in May 2016.

Jeff Yausie also helped the Saskatoon Valkyries of the WWCFL get going. He served as the club’s first head coach from 2011 to 2016 working with Valkyries general manager Michelle Duchene, who still holds that same role with the powerhouse squad that has won 10 WWCFL titles.

“Right from the get go, we had great coaching and a really good organization,” said Yausie. “All of a sudden, we had incredible athletes coming to play that had succeeded in other sports and had been very successful.

“They were open to coming and giving football a try.”

When it comes to Football Saskatchewan, Yausie said the organization has one overall main goal.

“In all of it, one of the messages we try to send is we want people to have a positive and fun experience in football,” said Yausie. “That doesn’t matter if it is tackle, it doesn’t matter if it is flag, it doesn’t matter if it is playing catch in the park, it doesn’t matter if it is a “learn to” program, it is just people enjoying the game and loving the game.

“That creates a football fan, and that builds into the next generation and helps us grow.”

In 2002, Yausie rejoined the Hilltops as linebackers coach and held that position when they won CJFL titles in 2002, 2003 and 2007. He became the club’s defensive coordinator in 2010 and 10 more CJFL championships followed with the last coming in 2023. Over those years, Yausie has built an outstanding relationship with legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant.

“(Hilltops head coach) Tom (Sargeant) is an amazing leader, and he is so competitive that he has a knack to solve problems,” said Yausie. “He is a cool personality that attacks problems and doesn’t avoid them.

“I think that serves you so well in football, because if you avoid little mistakes, they turn into big ones. We all bought into that, and that is how we coach. We’re all such good friends that we’re like brothers, us coaches.

“We’re just having a good time. It is stressful when you lose or when you don’t play well, but we just embrace it and embrace the grind.”

When he looks back on his football life, Yausie said one of the things he cherishes the most is friendships and relationships he has made. With the Hilltops, Yausie admitted he never expected he would be one of the team’s coaches still at age 59. He said the great people in all parts of the game are a main reason he has remained in the sport.

Jeff Yausie, centre, cherishes the football life he has created.

“Especially for me, it is not just Hilltops,” said Yausie. “It is Valkyries and women’s football.

“It is the girls with flag football. It is coaching development. It is officials development.

“It is relationships. If you can reach out and we can get away from texting and emailing and we can just talk, we can solve a lot of problems and get along really well, which is kind of what we’ve done in Saskatchewan football.”

Hilltops memories made at SMF Field, HS football rocks photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Justin Adamko, middle, walks to the field with his parents.

Saskatoon Hilltops football games are one of the greatest annual traditions at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

Since SMF Field first opened way back on September 30, 1960 originally as the Holiday Park Bowl, the Hilltops have played the majority of their home games at that facility. Football Sundays with the Hilltops have become a staple at that park along with traditional Saturday night clashes with rival clubs from Regina in the Rams up to 1998 and with the Thunder from 2000 to the present day.

This season, the Hilltops have been striving to make game days more of an event. They attracted 3,534 spectators to their 45-19 victory over the Edmonton Wildcats on Sunday, September 22, which was the best regular season attendance for a Hilltops game in over a decade.

That contest was the team’s Kinsmen Family Day/Young Hilltops Day and the plaza area was filled with inflatable play structures for youngsters. Halftime included a World’s Strongest Man exhibition from Hilltops alum Tristain Hoath and a mascots/superheroes football game.

Dan Clark speaks at the Hilltops End Zone Scholarship Dinner.

Saturday, September 28 was another busy home date for the Hilltops as they downed the Regina Thunder before 2,266 spectators. As it was the final Hilltops home regular season game for 2024, they held their traditional pre-game ceremony where the graduating players made a walk out to the field with their parents. Our lead photo of this photo roundup shows cornerback Justin Adamko, middle, making his walk to the field with mother Josie, on left, and father Doug, on right.

Before that clash with the Thunder, the ’Toppers held their Annual Hilltops End Zone Scholarship Dinner in the main hall at the Gordie Howe Sports Centre building. Dan Clark, who is one of the all-time greats with the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders, was the guest speaker, and the second photo shows Clark holding court with that role.

The third photo comes from that night’s game, and it shows Hilltops second-year receiver Datiel Fountaine catching a 26-yard touchdown pass at the start of the second half.

Datiel Fountaine hauls in a 26-yard TD catch.

The tradition of Hilltops playoff action continues at SMF Field and could potentially run the next three weekends. On Sunday, October 13, the Hilltops host a PFC semifinal at 1 p.m. against the Edmonton Huskies. If the defending CJFL champion Hilltops keep winning, a PFC final could follow on Sunday, October 20 and a CJFL semifinal might materialize on Sunday, October 27.

Along with Hilltops photos, we have pictures from high school football, University of Saskatchewan Huskies Track and Field and the YXE First Responders Fitness Festival.

The pictures in this photo roundup capture some of the memories that are made on our grounds. In this photo roundup, the majority of these pictures were taken by our Communications Coordinator in Darren Steinke along with a check in from another sweet source.

Without further ado, here is a selection of 15 shots we hope you enjoy.

A victory with Soul

The Evan Hardy Collegiate Souls celebrate a 55-14 “Welcome Week” win over the E.D. Feehan Catholic High School Trojans on September 12 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The victory was a welcome one for the Souls.

Crusaders fans get fired up

Fans of the Holy Cross High School Crusaders start to bring the energy in getting excited for their team’s “Welcome Week” game on September 12 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. They cheered their Crusaders to a 42-0 triumph over the Aden Bowman Collegiate Bears.

Guardians meet their faithful

The St. Joseph High School Guardians meet their supporters after their “Welcome Week” game on September 12 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Guardians faithful had to live through a heart stopping clash as their team had to get past a ready Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints side 22-17.

“Get that out of here”

Tommy Douglas Collegiate Tigers defensive back Ariston Klemmer knocks away a deep throw during his team’s “Welcome Week” game on September 13 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Klemmer’s efforts helped the Tigers down the Bethlehem Catholic High School Stars 23-7.

Perfect artistic stroke

Veteran Saskatoon Hilltop Cheerleading Team member Angelica Bandet focuses on making the perfect stroke creating a face painting design for a youngster before the Hilltops CJFL contest on September 22 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The face painting was part of the activities that went along with the team’s Kinsmen Family Day/Young Hilltops Day.

Hilltops alums’ Strongest Man

Tristain Hoath, who is an alumnus of the Saskatoon Hilltops, made a home return at the club’s CJFL regular season game on September 22 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The 32-year-old Hoath now competes in World’s Strongest Man competitions. He put on a display of one of the disciplines of those competitions pulling a truck during halftime of the Hilltops 45-19 win over the Edmonton Wildcats.

Deadpool with the sneak

Deadpool sets to go through a crease to score on a sneak play during action at a mascots/superheroes football game held at halftime of the Saskatoon Hilltops CJFL regular season contest on September 22 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The mascot/superheroes clash was part of the festivities that ran in conjunction with the Hilltops’ Kinsmen Family Day/Young Hilltop Day.

Let it fly

A member of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Track and Field Team works on his form in the hammer throw on September 24 at the Track and Field Track. The Huskies were getting outdoor sessions in through September and early October before moving their training indoors.

Up and away

A member of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Track and Field Team does a conditioning exercise jumping over hurdles that are close together during a training session on September 24 at the Track and Field Track. Along with perfecting skills in their track disciplines, Huskies team members do drills that work on strength and conditioning too.

Milestone win for Mustangs

It was a memorable day for the Mount Royal Collegiate Mustangs on September 27 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Mustangs downed the E.D. Feehan Catholic High School Trojans 26-18 for their first high school football win in a number of years possibly dating back to 2018.

Big block

Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints defensive back Mason Schreffler blocks a field goal attempt by the Marion M. Graham Collegiate Falcons on October 4 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Saints ran off a 42-1 victory in this contest.

Running to daylight

Holy Cross High School Crusaders star running back Aulain Penner runs home for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter of a game against the St. Joseph High School Guardians on October 4 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Penner’s score cut the Guardians lead to 28-27. The Crusaders won the contest 29-28 executing a two-point conversion on the following play.

Two for the win

Holy Cross High School Crusaders defensive back Traven Wiggins, left, gets excited after scoring a two-point conversion late in the fourth quarter against the St. Joseph High School Guardians on October 4 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Wiggins’ score came on a fake one-point conversion play, and it delivered the Crusaders to a 29-28 victory.

Showing off the power

Two members of Team Fire show off their strength using sandbags at the YXE First Responders Fitness Festival held on October 5 to 6 at the Indoor Training Centre. The YXE First Responders Fitness Festival has been held for three straight years at the Indoor Training Centre. A big thanks goes to the YXE First Responders Fitness Festival for this photo.

Team Fire claims championship

Team Fire celebrates taking top spot at the YXE First Responders Fitness Festival, which concluded on October 6 at the Indoor Training Centre. That event has been held at the Indoor Training Centre for three straight years. A big thanks goes to the YXE First Responders Fitness Festival for this photo graphic.

Nationals bid farewell to summer, fall picks up in photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

The Jacks celebrate a win on August 30.

It seemed fitting Softball Canada’s Men’s and Master Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournaments offered the perfect farewell to the summer season on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds.

Saskatoon has a storied history for host Softball Canada nationals, and the Men’s and Master Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournaments offered one last big taste on the diamond until attention turned more fully to the activities of fall. A total of 10 men’s teams and six master men’s teams were out to display their skill from this past August 28 to September 1.

While the Galway Hitmen from Newfoundland took the men’s title and Cobourg Force from Ontario claimed the master men’s crown, athletes and teams from Saskatchewan carved out some highlights. Our lead photo shows the Saskatoon Jacks celebrating a win over the Bear Creek Express from Ontario on August 30 at Bob Van Impe Stadium.

Catcher Ryan Ray makes a plate block on August 31.

The Jacks finished the preliminary round with a 3-3 mark before falling in their first playoff game to the Saskatoon Angels. The Angels would win one more playoff game before bowing out of the event.

The second photo comes from Joe Gallagher Field on August 31, and it shows Melfort 222’s catcher Ryan Ray coming up with a plate block. Ray is famous on the Complex grounds for helping with facility maintenance and coaching softball players and teams of seemingly all levels of experience.

The third photo shows Saskatoon Jacks shortstop Brant Wiebe firing a rocket to get an out at first base in his team’s August 30 win over the Express.

Along with images from the Men’s and Master Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship, August’s photo roundup checks in with pictures from baseball, football and softball. Of course, the high school football season has started so we have a couple of check ins there. 

Brant Wiebe fires a ball to first base to get an out on August 30.

On our social media lines, our high school football posts are by far our most viewed posts, so it shows there is a strong attachment to that brand of the game.

We also have cool photos from the defending CJFL champion Saskatoon Hilltops and the U of Saskatchewan Women’s Softball Team.

The pictures in this photo roundup capture some of the memories that are made on our grounds. In this photo roundup, the majority of these pictures were taken by our Communications Coordinator in Darren Steinke along with a check in from another sweet source.

Without further ado, here is a selection of 15 shots we hope you enjoy.

Douglas on a tear

Star receiver Drake Douglas was on fire in the Saskatoon Hilltops 38-13 regular season opener against the Edmonton Huskies on August 11 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Douglas finished the contest hauling seven passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns. He also returned six punts for 113 yards. After three regular season games, Douglas has caught 17 passes for 319 yards and four touchdowns. He has also returned 18 punts for 229 yards.

Beck gets triple for the cycle

In one of the most memorable moments of the Saskatoon Berries inaugural WCBL season, centre-fielder Carter Beck hit for the cycle in his team’s 14-1 victory over the Moose Jaw Miller Express in Game 1 of the WCBL’s best-of-three East Division Championship Series at Cairns Field on August 11. This photo shows Beck getting a triple in the bottom of the seventh to complete the cycle. Beck went 4-for-5 at the plate driving in three runs with a single, a double, a triple and a home run.

Berries final salute for 2024

The Saskatoon Berries salute the 1,811 spectators that came out to Cairns Field on August 13 as they fell 5-3 in a series deciding Game 3 of the WCBL’s East Division Championship Series. The Berries great inaugural season came up one win short of the WCBL final.

On target throw

Julia Smith of the Night Fever is set to release an accurate throw during Saskatoon Adult Flag Football League playoff action on August 21 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Smith’s Night Fever blanked the Honey Badgers 39-0.

Lipinski Memorial Award special night

The Darren Lipinski Memorial Award 50^th Award Banquet was held on August 27 in the main hall of the Gordie Howe Sports Centre building. For the 50^th anniversary of the award, 12 individuals were honoured for their outstanding contribution to softball in Saskatoon including Peggy Bonin, Susan Burns, Gord Cook, Bob Dybvig, Elyse Hamel, Brent Klassen, Debbie Krawchuk, John Michaluk, Larry Oleksuk, Gary Phillips, Gavin Russell and Nancy Scott.

Cool gift from Tree Canada

The Gordie Howe Sports Complex Management Corporation would like to thank “Tree Canada” for a $10,000 grant provided to plant 81 trees and shrubs on our 66 Acres. The trees include Blue Spruce, Scotch Pine, Larches, Lilacs and Foerster Grass.

We would also like to thank the Saskatoon Hilltops for coming through for us again to assist us with another project. The Hilltops planted trees for us for two days on their bye week. We are very proud of our association with the Hilltops Football Club, and we appreciate everything these young men do for us.

MVP for Ethier

Trevor Ethier sends an off-speed pitch to the plate for the Melfort 222’s on August 31 at Joe Gallagher Field during action at Softball Canada’s Master Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournament. Ethier still keeps adding accolades to his decorated athletic career in both softball and hockey. He would be named the MVP of the master men’s nationals posting a .400 batting average, a .538 on base percentage and three runs batted in at the plate. He also posted a .460 earned run average in 15 innings pitched.

222’s pack the park

A big crowd turned out to see the Melfort 222’s play at Joe Gallagher Field on August 31 as part of game action at Softball Canada’s Master Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournament. The 222’s would post a 7-4 victory over the Alberta Pirates.

Force Master Men’s Canadian champs

The Cobourg Force from Ontario pose for the customary team photo after winning the title game of Softball Canada’s Master Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournament on September 1 at Joe Gallagher Field. They beat the Melfort 222’s 5-3 in the gold medal contest. This photo comes courtesy Softball Canada.

Hitmen claim Men’s Canadian title

The Galway Hitmen from Newfoundland pose for the customary team photo after winning the title game of Softball Canada’s Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournament on September 1 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. They downed the Toronto Batmen 9-8 in eight innings in the gold medal contest. This photo comes courtesy Softball Canada.

Running with power

Aden Bowman Collegiate Bears running back Elijah Doleman powers his way downfield in an SSSAD high school football game on September 5 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Doleman and the Bears blanked the Tommy Douglas Collegiate Tigers 14-0.

Open field magic

St. Joseph High School Guardians running back Samuel Lafreniere weaves his way through the Centennial Collegiate Chargers defence in an SSSAD high school football game on September 6 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Lafreniere and the Guardians downed the Chargers 44-16.

Let it rip

Mary Lee McNeil fires a pitch to home plate for the U of Saskatchewan Women’s Softball Team during Western Collegiate Softball Association game action on September 6 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. The U of S sided downed the Mount Royal University Cougars 10-1.

Big effort in the outfield

Thea Friesen makes a running catch in left field for the U of Saskatchewan Women’s Softball Team during Western Collegiate Softball Association game action on September 8 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. The U of S posted a 9-2 victory over the U of Regina Cougars to complete a series of six games at home over three days posting a record of four wins and two ties.

Stretching to secure an out

Emma Maurice makes an impressive effort to stretch to catch a ball and keep her foot on first base to secure an out for the U of Saskatchewan Women’s Softball Team during Western Collegiate Softball Association game action on September 8 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. Maurice had many big defensive efforts helping the U of S take a 9-2 victory over the U of Regina Cougars to complete a series of six games at home over three days posting a record of four wins and two ties.

Hus holds Gordie Howe Sports Complex in heart

Now Honorary Chair of “Sharing Sport Together” campaign

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Jorgen Hus coaches players at Playground To Pros in April.

Jorgen Hus keeps getting pulled back into the Gordie Howe Sports Complex, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

The 34-year-old Saskatoon product is the veteran long snapper for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and he has a lengthy history with city’s storied sports park. Hus played for the football program at St. Joseph’s High School taking part in games at Saskatoon Minor Football Field from 2003 to 2006.

He moved on to play three seasons with the CJFL’s powerhouse Saskatoon Hilltops from 2007 to 2009. The Hilltops have played their home games at SMF Field since 1960. After becoming a member of the Roughriders in 2015, Hus kept returning to SMF Field as the CFL squad began to regularly hold its annual “Green and White Day” there starting in 2016.

Making a career away from football as a mortgage broker in his hometown, Hus does all his off-season training in Saskatoon. Once the Indoor Training Centre opened on March 1, 2019 on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds, Hus was able to work on his long snapping on the field turf field and do conditioning training at Ignite Athletics.

“This park in general has been a huge part of my life,” said Hus, who helped the Hilltops win a CJFL title in 2007. “It has supported my career and being able to come here in the winters has just helped my career out in so many ways.

“It is pretty incredible what we have here. I just think I wish I had something like this when I was starting high school. I’m curious to see how things would have gone, and if they would have gone any different.

“It is a state-of-the-art facility, and these kids that get to come now they have no idea how good they have it. This is one of the top places in Canada, if not the best as far as I’m concerned. I have a lot of memories here, and a lot of opportunity.”

Knowing the impact the Complex has made on his football career, Hus thought it was natural to take on the role as Honorary Campaign Chair for the “Sharing Sport Together” campaign. That campaign overseen by Friends of the Bowl has a goal of raising $10-million to compete the final upgrades for the Complex grounds. Hus was honoured when he was presented with the opportunity to be the Honorary Campaign Chair.

Jorgen Hus works on long snapping at the Indoor Training Centre.

“This place it obviously has a place in my heart,” said Hus. “It has done so much for me.

“It continues to do even more. With the opportunities that are right there, anything that I can do to help that come to fruition is going to help the dreams of the next kid, the next generation be fulfilled. It is all possible.

“It was a no brainer for me.”

Johnny Marciniuk, who is the Operations Manager for the Gordie Howe Sports Complex Management Incorporated, was excited that Hus came on board to be the Honorary Campaign Chair for the “Sharing Sport Together” campaign. Marciniuk was pleased Hus took up the role, because of the positive history he has in Saskatoon’s sports scene.

“It is awesome to have Jorgen as our Honourary Campaign Chair as he is a successful local boy who played sports in our high school and junior system in the province,” said Marciniuk. “He is a role model for professional football players as well as young boys and girls and adults to strive to achieve their goals.

“What is even better is all of our clients young and old can end up walking side by side with him in our facilities as he uses them on a daily basis, which brings a sense of community to everyone. Lastly, Jorgen is a business man, husband, father and gentleman. We couldn’t be prouder to have him associated with our campaign.”

Hus said some of his earliest memories of playing football in Grade 9 was being able to get out of class early to catch the bus to come down to SMF Field. From there, he built more memories playing against buddies from elementary school who suited up for Evan Hardy Collegiate. The high school post-season inevitably seemed to lead to a showdown with Holy Cross High School.

Playing for either St. Joseph’s or the Hilltops, recollections piled up of playing on the old grass surface at SMF Field when it would eventually become a mud bowl often late in the season.

“There are definitely a few games there where you can’t even tell anybody’s number,” said Hus. “There are just so many games that have been like that.

“I can’t even like pick one out. There was definitely a lot of them. Those were the most fun games.

Jorgen Hus works with youngsters at a clinic in February.

“You’re sliding around in the mud. You feel bad for the folks who have to do the laundry, because that wouldn’t have been easy. That was all part of it playing in all the elements.”

Since 2014, the mud bowl became a thing of the past as a field turf field was installed. With the turf field that exists at the Indoor Training Centre, Hus has been impressed with the number of different camps and programs Saskatoon Minor Football offers thanks to the increased field time. He is a regular when it comes to coaching with SMF’s Playground To Pros Camp.

“All the camps and stuff that are going on now, obviously, they weren’t around when I was coming out of college,” said Hus, who helps coach long snappers at various levels of the game in Saskatoon. “I don’t even know if the CFL combine had lasers when I came out.

“There is definitely more opportunity. Now even with the indoor facilities that we have, we can go throughout the winter. There are no excuses.

“There is a time all year round. We don’t have to wait for the good weather.”

Hus said he has improved quite a bit working on the craft of his position since the Indoor Training Centre opened.

“I’ve had two all-star seasons since being able to work in this place and having the winters to do this,” said Hus. “It is no coincidence.

“I’ve been able to practice on good turf all year round essentially all winter. It has been huge for my career, massive.”

Along with improving for his sport, Hus has enjoyed meeting the numerous athletes that come to the Complex to train and improve in various other sports. He has found those athletes have developed a feeling of attachment to the Complex like he has. Hus said seeing the drive of the other athletes helps his drive.

Jorgen Hus speaks at the Hilltops End Zone Dinner on Sept. 30, 2023.

“You are seeing people come here and working their tail off chasing their dreams, and it is not hard to get motivated by that,” said Hus. “You can be walking in here on your worst day, and you’ll find plenty of reasons to get motivated and fired up.

“That is why I love coming here. I’ll be a client forever after the football career is done. It is pretty special.

“There are not a lot of places where you can see that and get that out of people.”

Cubs’ Stromberg packs a punch with small size

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Osher Stromberg works behind the plate as the Cubs catcher.

Osher Stromberg said being small has its advantages when it comes to playing baseball.

“Really how I see it, I get a lot of walks because of it,” said Stromberg with a chuckle. “It really helps me, if anything.”

The 16-year-old second-year catcher with the Saskatoon Cubs baseball team stands 5-foot-4 and weighs 130 pounds. He is the smallest player in the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League’s under-18 AAA level. Due to standing only 5-foot-4, opposing pitchers have a harder time hitting the strike zone when Stromberg is at the plate helping his on base percentage.

With that noted, Cubs assistant coach Jordan Frey said people who see the Cubs play quickly find out Stromberg is a good player and one of the top catchers at the under-18 AAA level in Saskatchewan.

“I think his game calling is probably one of the best in the league,” said Frey. “Obviously, he is not the biggest guy behind the plate, but he has a really good arm.

“He is able to get outs for us. He is a leader. He blocks the balls back there no matter what.

“We can play him at catcher when it is plus-35 out for two games, and he doesn’t complain. He puts the gear on, and he gives it 110 per cent every day.”

Frey said the Cubs coaches were always excited about bringing Stromberg to the Cubs believing they were going to get a good player. The bench boss added the squad had to use some misdirection in order to bring him to the team.

Osher Stromberg, left, chats with pitcher Jared Tameling.

In the Saskatoon Zone for minor baseball, players entering their 15-year-old seasons going to the under-18 AAA level are divided between the city’s three teams in the Cubs, Diamondbacks and Giants via a draft. Players go though a tryout process including skill session evaluations and playing in exhibition games amongst the group trying out.

The tryout process usually occurs in September for the upcoming season in the next calendar year. After the September tryout process is held, the teams conduct a draft to distribute players.

Frey said Stromberg stood out, but the Cubs coaches put up a façade about being worried about Stromberg’s small size when they crossed paths with the coaches of the Diamondbacks and Giants. The Cubs coaches hoped that might create some doubt among the Diamondbacks and Giants coaches when it came to picking Stromberg, which would allow the Cubs to land him.

“That was kind of way we got him,” said Frey. “We had to fib a little bit and tell other teams he was a little small, and we were not sure how he will be.

“That was the way we got him was by making sure that other teams didn’t want him height wise. I think it has paid off for us.”

Stromberg said he became interested in playing baseball around age nine after his grandpa took him to a fastpitch softball tournament. He wanted to play the type of game where you used a bat to hit the ball, and it stuck with him how players in both sports were pumped to play.

“I just liked how everyone was so excited about it and really got amped up in the game,” said Stromberg.

Stromberg added there was another softball influence that drew him into becoming a catcher in baseball.

Osher Stromberg sets up for an at bat with the Cubs.

“At first, I was scared of the ball,” said Stromberg. “My mom told me she was a catcher when she played softball, so that is kind of what got me into that.”

Last season, Stromberg lived through a dream rookie campaign with the Cubs. The Cubs finished first overall in the SPBL standings with a 24-6 record and won the SPBL championship tournament hosted at Cairns and Leakos Fields.

In the tournament’s championship game played on July 24, 2022 at Cairns Field, the Cubs downed the Muenster-based East Central Red Sox 12-6 in front of about 1,000 spectators.

“That was pretty cool having everyone cheering for us, because we were the hometown team,” said Stromberg. “It was fun.”

The Cubs advanced to Baseball Canada’s Under-18 Nationals that were held in Grande Prairie, Alta., from August 18 to 21, 2022. They finished with a 4-2 overall record falling in the event’s bronze medal game 5-4 in extra innings to the Nanaimo, B.C., based Mid Island Pirates.

Overall, Stromberg couldn’t ask for a better experience for his first season with the Cubs.

“It is awesome,” said Stromberg. “I love all the players.

“We all blend really well together. The coaches are really into it. It is just all-around fun times.

“That was pretty cool being a part of the team that goes to nationals. Everyone was talking about it. To be able to be a part of that was pretty cool.”

This season Stromberg has called games well for his pitchers, made the throw to second base consistently to get base stealers out, stroked the ball well at the plate and run the base paths with conviction. He said it is more serious being a catcher at the under-18 AAA level compared to being a catcher in younger age groups.

Osher Stromberg looks for an opening to get a steal.

“At younger levels, they say anyone can be a catcher, but at this level, you really can’t,” said Stromberg, who will be going into his Grade 12 school year in the fall at Evan Hardy Collegiate. “You have to be able to focus and just really know what you are doing back there.”

When it comes calling games behind the plate, Stromberg said one of the big keys is communicating with the pitchers who take the mound to get a sense of where they are at that day.

“It is just seeing how the pitcher is feeling and what they can throw and what is good,” said Stromberg, who trains with Going Yard Training Centre at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex during the off-season. “(It is seeing) the hitters and how they hit certain pitches and what the count is.

“There are lots of factors that go into that.”

This season the Cubs have built a 16-5 record and are one of five teams in a dogfight for first place. The SPBL Under-18 AAA championship tournament will be held once again at Cairns and Leakos Fields from July 28 to 30. The winner of that event advances to Baseball Canada’s Under-18 Nationals, which will be held August 17 to 20 in Fort McMurray, Alta. 

As the season hits its stretch run, Frey said Stromberg will play a big part in how the Cubs finish out.

“It is going to be huge just the part with Osher catching,” said Frey, who added the Cubs will also use Jared Tameling at catcher too in provincials. “It is tough going down the stretch when it gets hot, and you’re catching day in and day out.

“It is nice that we have two catchers that we can use. You usually need two or three to get through a provincial weekend. He (Stromberg) works with all our pitchers.

“He is great with them. He is just a natural born leader. It is something that if he didn’t have it would put us behind the eight-ball a little bit.”

Osher Stromberg, centre, and the Cubs celebrate a win.

Stromberg is looking forward to playing out the stretch run and the SPBL championship tournament at home. He believes a few more good memories can be made.

“As a team, we’ve been playing good,” said Stromberg. “We’ve had a little less on the bats than last year, but defensively we’ve been great.

“Pitching wise, we’ve been great. We’re looking forward to the rest of it. I’m so excited.

“I’m ready to play in that provincial ball and having the fans in it and being really just into games. There is lots of tension in those games (last year). It is going to be great.”