BC Lions Home Opener 2012 Season

Everyone's beloved BC Lions were back at BC Place for their home opener on June 29th for the 2012 season.  It was packed with a lot of action.  I used to volunteer with the BC Lions for the last 4 yrs but decided not to this year.  Instead, I got myself a job as a Host at BC Place.  So far, I've worked two BC Lions games.  The first was the exhibition game vs Saskatchewan Roughriders on June 13th and the other was at the home opener on June 29th.  On both days I worked Gate B Admissions. 

There was a lot going on though.  First we had at least 26,000 in attendance so it was busy at the gates.  Second, fans received a 2012 Grey Cup Championship towel.  This didn't go over so well with the Winnipeg Bluebomber fans as the home opener was a re-match.  But they were great about it.  Thirdly, the Lions were unveiling the Championship banners from past years and hanging up the new one.  And last but not least, it was a night that everyone hoped Geroy Simon would pass Milt Stegall's record of yards. 

So if you weren't there or missed it for whatever reason, here is the banner unveiling for you, thanks to BrianBunka on youtube.  I was thankful for this as I was so busy scanning people into the building that I missed it all.  I had no idea that the ring was also available to look at in the concourse.  Now I know.

The other major highlight of the night was the Geroy Simon record breaker.  Close to the end of the game, Geroy Simon broke Milt Stegall's records for CFL's All-Time Receiving Leader title.  The game was held up for about 10 minutes to celebrate his acheivement before they resumed.  Here is the actual 56-yard pass he took from Travis Lulay and all the fun that happened after.  Love the Superman song.

The BC Lions went on to thump the Bluebombers 33-16 that night.  Their goal is  to go 18-0 this season.  One down, 17 more to go!


Now, those were the highlights that I had expected to take place that night but I had an unexpected one when about 10 mins after the half, none other than one of my favorite '94 Canucks, Gino Odjick walked in thru my gate and I got to scan him, his daughters and his mom into the building.  I then directed them to their suite.  He was recognized by a couple of lucky Lions fans leaving the building and got to shake hands with him.  Gino is great with his fans.  He really does love them.  It was all very unexpected and totally awesome.  Exactly what I needed at that time.  Gotta love Gino!!

If you want to know more about what Gino's been up to in Vancouver, here is a great article with a video interview about how he's been since he left the Canucks.  Gino Odjick in Vancouver

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. :)