A20
| Tuesday, July 13, 2010 | L A N G L E Y A D V A N C E
Contest winner
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Stadium holds fond memories
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Ray Crawford of Delta submitted the winning story recalling his best memories of Empire Stadium.
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I have many fond memories of Empire Stadium — unfortunately my fondest memory, my first time at Empire Stadium, has nothing to do with the BC Lions. The first time I set foot inside Empire Stadium was on Saturday, Nov. 26, 1960, for the 48th annual Grey Cup Game. In 1960 I was 10 years old, and this was the first time that I attended a professional football game. It was the first time that I attended any professional game. The Ottawa Rough Riders defeated Edmonton 16 to 6 to become the 1960 Grey Cup champions, and Ron Stewart of the Ottawa Rough Riders was the Grey Cup’s most valuable player. I can still remember some of the players’ names: Russ Jackson, Jackie Parker, Johnny Bright, Normi Kwong, and Vic Chapman. Before the game there was the Grey Cup parade. My dad was a sea cadet officer with the Captain Vancouver Corps in Stanley Park and the cadets were part of the parade. I was seated in an area with some friends of my dad and watched the parade. As I watched the parade it was like waiting for Christmas morning; I couldn’t wait to get to Empire Stadium. Finally the parade ended and my dad, still in uniform, got me and we went to the game.
Sharon Doucette/Canwest News
BC Lions coach Wally Buono (right) presented Ray Crawford of Delta with tickets to the Lions’ July 10 home opener against Saskatchewan at Empire Field. Crawford also won two BC Lions jerseys, a parking pass, and a pre-game tour along the sidelines. Arriving at Empire Stadium the sounds, smells, and the entire goings-on put my head on a pivot, for I did not want to miss any of this first-time experience. We waited in line with our tickets and then waited in line at the concession stands. Stocked up with hot dogs, Coke and peanuts, we walked through the small tunnel entrance and for the first time I could see Empire Stadium from the inside. Both teams were on the field warming up. Punters were punting, kickers were kicking field goals, quarterbacks were throwing to receivers, linemen were going over their blocking techniques and there was just so much to watch at one time. I had been to a three-ring cir-
cus but this was so much more. As I recall we were seated on the west side, near the end zone close to Hastings Street. I sat watching all the players on the field and calling out there’s Jackie, there’s Johnny, and I think I see Normi Kwong. My dad handed me a hot dog but I couldn’t eat I was in such trance I could not take my eyes of the field or the players… My eyes never left the field… I loved everything about it. I wanted nothing to change. To me, football had to be played in this way in this stadium. Over the years there were many times I visited Empire Stadium… the continuation of a tradition.
• More of Crawford’s memories online at www.langleyadvance.com, click on “Sports”