The UNBC Timberwolves will experience their first banner raising ceremony this weekend when they host the Langara Falcons in their much anticipated basketball home openers. Representatives of the PG Cougars and the Spruce Kings (BCHL edition) may want to attend this prestigious event at the Northern Sports Centre to get a “pointer” or two about what it is like to have a banner in the building. After all, raising a championship flag for these two organizations remains a dream (fantasy perhaps).

 

The Lady Timberwolves will play their first home game since winning last season’s provincials in front of approximately 2000 enthusiastic fans. In honor of this championship, the first banner at NSC will be unveiled this evening. In attendance at tonight’s ceremony will be several basketball dignitaries including Canada West President Clint Hamilton, as well as CIS committee members Dick White, Sandy Slavin and Coleen Dufresne.

 

In addition to this ceremony, these Canada West representatives are in Prince George to examine the city and university as part of an official CIS site tour. UNBC has applied to join Canada West in men’s and women’s basketball, starting in two years (November, 2010). UNBC will be competing with two other BC institutions, UBC Okanagan of Kelowna and Vancouver Island of Nanaimo, both who have also applied to join the Canada West League (basketball and volleyball). A decision is expected in May of next year. No one knows if any of these applications will be accepted. However, UNBC is ready for the “jump” from the BCCAA.

 

There are numerous reasons as to why Prince George should be a considered as a worthy candidate. First, the city offers a first class facility, terrific boisterous loyal fans, a strong organization base, a well established minor basketball program, a solid core of volunteers, and a sports crazed environment.

 

Secondly, PG is the gateway to the north and thus its impact expands to thousands of potential students throughout Northern BC. A CIS franchise will ultimately create positive dividends in the North.    

 

Additionally, Prince George responds favorably to big events and certainly shows its hospitality by rolling out the welcome mat out for guests. I’m sure this tradition will continue this weekend.

 

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It is certainly no coincidence that the four CFL teams left in the hunt for the Grey Cup have the four best quarterbacks in the league. Calgary’s Henry Burris and Montreal's Anthony Calvillo are the finalists for the league’s Most Outstanding Player Award. Both of their clubs have home field advantage in the divisional finals Saturday. Ricky Ray of Edmonton is as good as Burris and Calvillo depending on the day, and Buck Pierce of BC isn’t that far behind.

 

The four teams eliminated have all experienced quarterback issues. Saskatchewan’s Michael Bishop was awful in the Western Semi-Final against BC throwing three interceptions and coughing up
two fumbles, in a 33-12 loss. Bishop was inconsistent since joining the Riders from Toronto and subsequently was placed on waivers. Saskatchewan has two other QB’s that tried and failed: Darian Durant and Steven Jyles.

 

Kevin Glenn of Winnipeg was badly outplayed by Ray in the Bombers 29-21 loss to the Eskimos. Glenn was benched earlier in the season for poor performance.

 

 

Toronto and Hamilton failed to make the playoffs. Both teams were dreadful in many areas, including the QB position. The Argos’ Kerry Joseph was a disaster and lost his job for a period of time and injury prone Casey Printers in Hamilton turned out to be a half a million dollar a year bust.

 

So, now it comes down to Ray vs Calvillo and Burris against Pierce. Ray has never lost a playoff game since arriving in Edmonton in 2002, however, I’m picking the Als to represent the East in the November 23rd Grey Cup game in Montreal based on better overall talent.

In the West, Burris gets the nod over Pierce and I'm selecting Calgary to get the nod over BC. The Stamps have been the best team in the league for much of the year and “manhandled” the Lions in three regular season meetings. One stat in BC's favor is that the home team has won the Western final just five times in the last 12 years.

 

CBC-TV used to carry the CFL divisional semi-finals and finals on Sundays. This year, the day has been moved to Saturdays with TSN broadcasts. Both these moves are for the better.

 

 

 

“Hugh Hefner's former live-in girlfriend Kendra Wilkinson is engaged to Philadelphia Eagles receiver Hank Baskett. Hefner is 82 and Baskett is 26. That's one situation where Wilkinson won't be able to make her fiancée jealous with any old boyfriend stories.” Comedy writer Jim Barach of WCHS-TV in Charleston, W.Va (http://jokesbyjim.blogspot.com/)

 

“Investigators are at a loss as they investigate Ryan Leaf for illegally obtaining a controlled substance--it's the first time anyone has seen him show control.” Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

“The 49ers were much-improved in their second game under Coach Mike Singletary and there were no butts about it." Bill Littlejohn

 

“The recent horror movie The Strangers featured unhappy people who wear bags over their heads. Crowd scenes were filmed at Ford Field.” www.theprovince.com/liveat5)Vancouver comic Torben Rolfsen (

 

 

 “One real problem facing the new U.S. President-elect will be Detroit. Barack Obama says he has hopes of working out a plan to save GM and Ford, but realistically there’s nothing he can do about the Lions.”Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California (www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com)

“The Washington Nationals have announced plans to lower the cost of some tickets in 2009. This will put their prices more in line with other AAA teams.”Janice Hough

“Marion Jones says she took steroids because she didn’t love herself enough to which Barry Bonds replied it was just another piece of evidence to show I’m innocent.”Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgary (http://smacksport.blogspot.com/)

“Workers at a recycling plant near Boise, ID found a man’s body inside a 1500-pound bale of paper, this week. On the bright side, friends said the man always wanted to see his face in the sports section.”Comedy writer Jerry Perishohttp://monologuewriter.blogspot.com/
 “A woman jogging in Arizona was attacked by a rabid fox and ran a mile with it clamped on her arm. She ran that last mile doing the “fox trot.” Comedy writer Doug Austen