Grey Cup Team Practices

So, I woke up bright and early this morning so I could head out to BC Place to take part in Escorting the Sponsors for the team practices today.  I met up with my crew at 8:30am and headed into the Stadium with our first group of Sponsors from Canadian Western Direct.  We entered thru the East Airlock right onto the field.  Our job was to "escort" the sponsors and keep and eye on them if need be so they don't wander or do things they were not supposed to do.  The first thing we were told by the Manager there was to advise our group not to walk on the freshly painted white sidelines and logos.  So we informed them and kept an eye on them as they trampled all over the field to get the experience of a lifetime.  They passed around footballs and people took pics of the newly created Grey Cup Vancouver 2011 Logo in the centre and had some fun.

Here are some pics of that experience.

First thing I saw when I walked thru the Airlock.  Dancers/Cheerleaders rehearsing.

The Grey Cup Logo just painted and drying.

Using the drill to take out screws in the ground holding the cardboard in place to reveal the new logo.

Buck Pierce waiting to catch a throw from a playmate

 As the Winnipeg Blue Bombers started to head onto the field, we were instructed to get the sponsors off to the sidelines or endzones.  Buck and another playmate here were on the field and interacting with us and the sponsors.  They were great.

As more team members started coming on, we hearded our group thru the West Airlock, down the hall, up the elevator to the lower bowl level where they were able to sit and watch some of the practices.  It was quiet at first while they were doing their stretches but then they started making some noise.  Then all of the sudden they all ran onto the freshly painted and dried Grey Cup logo and did a team cheer.  Here's a pic.

Sorry its kinda blurry but you get the idea.

Then all of the sudden music started blaring thru the speakers with Flo'Rider and Eminem and they did some practices in between some dance moves.  It was quite entertaining to watch. Not long after we had to escort our sponsors out to the Terry Fox Plaza as it was time for them to leave.

 We breaked for lunch and came back to the East Airlock to receive our next group around 11:45am.  This group consisted mainly of kids.  The Blake's After Party were the sponsors.  We did the exact same thing with them only this time, it was the BC Lions turn for their practice.  As the kids were playing football on one side of the field by the endzone, players were starting to come out and get warmed up.  Wally Buono also came out and met the kids and all of us.  He's all class.

We then hearded the group up to the lower bowl as the group before and watched them practice.  I was silently waiting for the music to turn so I could find out what they liked to listen to.  It wasn't as hardcore as Winnipeg.  It was still Rap though.  Here are some pics from that.

Team Stretch

Before we escorted this group out of the building, all the kids got together in their seats and started chanting for the BC Lions. "2, 4, 6, 8, Who do we appreciate? Your the Best from all the Rest! Your the Best from all the Rest! Go Lions!" x 6 times.  This got the Lions players attention...they were very appreciative.

I was supposed to head on over to the Vanier Cup game tonight as well, as was my intention but I didn't feel very well a couple hrs before start time so headed on home after killing a couple hrs at the Fan Festival at the Jack Poole Plaza.  I have another jam packed day tomorrow also starting bright and early at the Parade.  I will be hosting a private viewing area of the parade for the VIP's at the corner of W.Georgia and Burrard while my Manager, Stephanie, will be doing the same at the Cactus Club location also on Burrard.  Another early rise for me...then once that is done, I'm heading over to the VCC to Team Lead the Coat Check team again for the "Show Your Colors Dinner" Gala.  Should be another night of great entertainment.  I'll post again tomorrow night. :)