REGINA -- It was back in 1987 that the Saskatchewan Roughriders began what has become a longstanding and prestigious tradition for the Canadian Football League club.
Some of the greatest names to wear the Green and White were enshrined on a special cairn known as the Roughriders Hall of Fame, located outside the west entrance to Taylor Field. The first inductees included a host of legends, including the likes of Ron Lancaster, George Reed, Fred Wilson, Ron Atchison, Ken Preston, Dean Griffing, Al Ritchie, Bob Kramer and Eagle Keys.
A year later, the Hall of Fame was given a different name -- the Roughriders Plaza of Honour. Every year since, the team has honoured the best-of-the-best to wear the Riders uniform, right up through the modern day.
The Plaza cairn remained through the 2016 season, after which the Roughriders moved into nearby Mosaic Stadium. Plans had been in the works ever since to open a new site and things finally came to fruition on Thursday morning.
Joined by 2025 inductees Alex Smith Sr., Chris Best and the family of Steve Molnar, the Roughriders unveiled the new Plaza of Honour outside Brandt Gate on the southeast corner of Mosaic Stadium.
“Ever since the stadium was built, we’ve had a plan to celebrate this club’s proud history and the greats that have helped build this franchise,” Roughriders president and CEO Craig Reynolds said during the unveiling.
“We had a pandemic, unfortunately, that delayed our plans a little bit, but today we are very excited to unveil the new Plaza of Honour cairn with the names of the players and builders who have received the highest honour we as a club bestow on an individual.”
The cairns were designed by P3 Architecture and built by PCL Construction, with each receiving special thanks from Reynolds for their work.
“These cairns represent the greatest Saskatchewan Roughriders of all time. Every day, thousands of Rider fans will stream past this monument to look at our history. Fans young and old will be able to walk by and remember some of their favourite moments.
“Grandfathers will be telling their grandchildren about the time they watched George Reed rush for 268 yards against the B.C. Lions, or how they just knew a touchdown was possible every time Ray Elgaard touched the ball. Friends will reminisce about 2013 and the play of Darian Durant and Weston Dressler.
“Our inductees will be able to bring their families and see their names proudly etched in Roughrider history. This cairn represents some of the most special moments and people who have been a part of our organization.”
A host of past inductees were on hand for the ceremony, including Roger Aldag (1993), John Lipp (2003), Steve Mazurak (2004), Dan Rashovich (2011), Nate Davis (2012), Gene Makowsky (2013), Ivan Gutfriend (2016) and Mike McCullough (2022). Reed’s wife, Angie, was also in attendance.
The unveiling is part of the Plaza of Honour weekend, which wraps up with Legends Night during the Roughriders game on Saturday against the Montreal Alouettes. Best, Molnar and Smith Sr. will be honoured at halftime of the contest and officially inducted into the Plaza of Honour.
-- with files from Rob Vanstone / Riderville.com
