A colourful past

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Finally, a history lecture that isn’t boring

Colton Hordichuk
Contributor

The early days of November are transitional for sports fans. These are the days where the baseball buffs watch hockey and the football fanatics follow basketball. Although it is understandable to create new sports memories in 2011, it’s always good to take a step back and appreciate some of the key events that have revolutionized a sport or an athlete’s career.

Removing a colour barrier in the PGA, a trade that started a goaltender’s career, and an all-star selection that helped propel two local University of Regina Rams onto our CFL team highlight this weeks Sports History 101.

Nov. 3, 1987 – Oakland Athletics first basema, Mark McGuire wins the MLB AL rookie-of–the-year award.  During the 1987-88 season, McGuire hits 49 home runs to set a single-season rookie record. McGuire eventually finishes his 16-year career with 583 home runs and was selected to the all-star team 12 times.

Nov. 4, 2008 – University of Regina Rams Teale Orban, Luke Derkson, Jordan Sisco, Nick Hutchins, and Brandon Ganne are all named Canada West all-stars. Both Hutchins and Sisco go on to play for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Nov. 5, 1967 – The New Orleans Saints earn their first NFL victory in franchise history by defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 31-24. The Saints finish with a 3-11-0 record and miss the postseason in their first year of existence. 

Nov. 6, 2010 – The University of Regina Cougars women’s basketball team defeats the Lethbridge Pronghorns 68-46 in regular-season action. With the victory, the Cougars push their win streak to four.

Nov. 7, 2009 – The Saskatchewan Roughriders defeated the Calgary Stampeders 30-14 to finish off the 2009 CFL regular season. The game served as John Chick’s last regular-season game with the team. The defencive end went on to play in the NFL and signed with the Indianapolis Colts as part of their practice squad. In 2011, Chick signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars and is currently on their active roster.

Nov. 8, 1991 – Pittsburgh Penguins defenceman, Paul Coffey scored his 311th goal to set the NHL defenceman scoring record for most goals by a defenceman in their career. The only active NHL defenceman that comes even close to Coffey’s career goal total is the Detroit Redwings Nicklas Lidstrom. Lidstrom is 143 goals short from tying Coffey’s record. 

Nov. 9, 1961 – The Professional Golfers Association (PGA) eliminated the rule that limited its membership to only white people and those from the Western Hemisphere.  Prior to this rule, non whites were able to play on the PGA Tour, but weren’t allowed to join the club itself.  Charlie Sifford, an African-American, earned $1,300 while playing on the PGA tour in 1961.  Without this rule, golfers like Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh would not have been able to join the PGA.

Honorable mention

November 4, 1984 – This will forever be remembered as a date that kick started an athlete’s career. Although it may not be a milestone, or a record, a trade took place on Nov. 4 that defined the career of a remarkable NHL goaltender.

On this date, the Winnipeg Jets traded their third-round pick in 1984 to the Montreal Canadiens for defenceman Robert Picard. Montreal used its third-round pick to draft a young, energetic, Patrick Roy. Roy went on to become a three-time Vezina Trophy winner for best goaltender during the NHL’s regular season; he was also a three-time Stanley Cup winner and an 11-time NHL all-star during 18 seasons spent in the show. Roy made such a great impact on both organizations he played for that, besides being named a Hockey Hall of Fame inductee in 2006, the Canadiens and the Colorado Avalanche retired his No. 33 jersey.

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