Saskatchewan Roughriders facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Saskatchewan Roughriders

Founded	1910
Based in	Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Home field	Mosaic Stadium
Head coach	Corey Mace
General manager	Jeremy O'Day
Owner(s)	The Saskatchewan Roughrider Football Club Inc.
League	Canadian Football League
Division	West
Colours	Green, white
Nickname(s)	Riders, Green and White
Mascot(s)	Gainer the Gopher
Grey Cup wins	5 (1966, 1989, 2007, 2013, 2025)
Division titles	9 (1951, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1976, 2009, 2013, 2025)
Current uniform
2025 Saskatchewan Roughriders season

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a professional Canadian football team from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. They play in the Canadian Football League (CFL) as part of the league's West Division. The team started in 1910 as the Regina Rugby Club. The Roughriders are one of the oldest professional sports teams in North America.

The team changed its name to the Regina Roughriders in 1924. Later, in 1946, they became known by their current name, the Saskatchewan Roughriders. For many years, they played their home games at Taylor Field until 2016. In 2017, they moved to the new Mosaic Stadium. Fans from all over Saskatchewan and Canada support the team, and they are lovingly called the Rider Nation. The Roughriders have won the Grey Cup championship five times: in 1966, 1989, 2007, 2013, and most recently in 2025.

Fun Facts About the Roughriders

Team wordmark

• Old Names: They were first called the Regina Rugby Club (1910–1923) and then the Regina Roughriders (1924–1947).
• Past Uniform Colors: The team once wore old gold and purple (1910), then blue and white (1911), and later red and black (1912–1947).
• Team Songs: Their popular songs include "Green Is The Colour," "On Roughriders," and "Rider Pride."
• Main Rivals: Their biggest rivals are the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. They also have rivalries with the Edmonton Elks and Calgary Stampeders.
• Top Finishes in the West Division: They finished first in the Western Division nine times: in 1951, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1976, 2009, 2019, and 2025.
• Western Division Championships: The team has won the Western Championship 29 times.
• Grey Cup Championships: They have won the Grey Cup five times: 1966, 1989, 2007, 2013, and 2025.

How the Roughriders are Owned

The Saskatchewan Roughrider Football Club Inc. was started in 1910. It is a special kind of company that doesn't aim to make a profit for owners. This means the team is owned by the community, much like the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. This is quite unique in North American sports!

Fan Membership Shares

Since 2004, fans have been able to buy "Membership Shares." These shares let fans support the team. Some shares (Class A) even give fans a say in how the team is run by allowing them to vote. Other shares (Class B) are just for support and don't have voting rights. These shares cannot be resold, and no one person can hold too many voting shares. The money from these shares goes into a special fund to help the team stay strong.

Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation

The Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation was created in 2019. This foundation helps raise money for important community projects. It focuses on supporting education, health, and amateur football for young people. The goal is to teach kids valuable skills like leadership and responsibility.

A Look at Roughriders History

Early Years: Regina Rugby Club (1910–1923)

1910 Regina Rugby Club

The team began as the Regina Rugby Club on September 13, 1910. Their first colors were old gold and purple. They played their first game on October 1, 1910, but lost. However, they quickly became a strong team in Saskatchewan. In 1911, they changed their colors to blue and white.

By 1912, the team changed colors again to red and black. From 1912 to 1920, Regina was a dominant force in western football, winning many titles and staying undefeated for a long time. World War I caused a break in games during 1916-1918. In 1921, the Western champion was invited to play for the Grey Cup for the first time. Regina reached the Grey Cup finals in 1923 but lost badly to Queen's University, 54–0. This was their first Grey Cup appearance.

Becoming the Regina Roughriders (1924–1945)

After their first Grey Cup loss, the club changed its name to the Regina Roughriders in 1924. They kept their red and black colors. The name "Roughriders" likely came from the North-West Mounted Police, who were called Roughriders because they trained wild horses. The team had a strong period from 1926 to 1932, winning seven Western championships in a row. They reached the Grey Cup finals five times in a row from 1928 to 1932 but unfortunately lost each time. Their last Western title as the Regina Roughriders was in 1934.

Joining the WIFU and Becoming Saskatchewan Roughriders (1936–1958)

In 1936, Regina joined the Western Interprovincial Football Union (WIFU), which was the top football league in Western Canada. They became the first WIFU champions that year. The team moved into a permanent stadium, which was later named Taylor Field in 1946. This stadium was their home for over 80 years.

After World War II, the Regina Roughriders became a team owned by the entire province. Because of this, they changed their name to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1946. This was a big step, making them the first major team in North America to represent an entire province or state. In 1948, they switched their uniforms to green and white, which are still their main colors today.

In 1951, the Roughriders won their first WIFU regular season championship. They reached the Grey Cup again but lost to the Ottawa Rough Riders. Sadly, in 1956, a plane crash killed four team members: Gordon Sturtridge, Mel Becket, Ray Syrnyk, and Mario DeMarco. Their numbers were retired to honor them.

The CFL Era and Star Players (1958–1978)

In 1958, the Saskatchewan Roughriders became a founding member of the new Canadian Football League (CFL). This era brought stability with Ken Preston as General Manager for 20 years.

The Ronnie and George Show (1963–1975)

The team became very strong with the arrival of fullback George Reed in 1963 and quarterback Ron Lancaster in 1963. This duo led the team to many successful seasons.

1966 Grey Cup Champions

In 1965, Eagle Keys became the head coach. In the 1966 season, the Roughriders won their first Western Conference title since 1951. They went on to win their first-ever Grey Cup championship on November 26, 1966, defeating the Ottawa Rough Riders 29–14. George Reed was named the Most Valuable Player. This was a huge moment for the team and its fans!

The Roughriders continued to be strong, reaching the Grey Cup finals two more times in 1967 and 1969, but lost both. In 1970, they had a franchise-best 14 wins. George Reed retired after the 1975 season as the all-time leading rusher in professional football. In 1976, the Roughriders reached the Grey Cup again but lost in the final seconds.

Tough Times and a Comeback (1979–1993)

After Ron Lancaster retired in 1978, the team went through a difficult period, missing the playoffs for 11 seasons. This was the longest playoff drought in CFL history. Despite having talented players like Joey Walters and Dave Ridgway, they struggled to win.

Saving the Roughriders and the 1989 Grey Cup

Before the 1987 season, the team faced financial challenges. Fans rallied together in a "Save the Roughriders" telethon, selling enough tickets to keep the team going. A special lottery also helped raise money.

In 1987, John Gregory became head coach. By 1988, the team made the playoffs again, ending their long drought. In the 1989 season, the Roughriders finished with a 9–9 record. They surprised everyone by defeating the powerful Edmonton Eskimos in the West Final. In the 77th Grey Cup, they faced the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. With the score tied 40–40, placekicker Dave Ridgway kicked a 35-yard game-winning field goal. This play, known as "The Kick," won the Roughriders their second Grey Cup championship after a 23-year wait!

Ups and Downs (1994–2006)

In 1995, Regina hosted the Grey Cup for the first time, but the Roughriders didn't make the playoffs. Financial challenges returned in 1997, and another "Save the Roughriders" telethon helped keep the team afloat. That same year, they made a surprising run to the 85th Grey Cup but lost to the Toronto Argonauts.

From 1999 to 2006, Roy Shivers became the general manager and Danny Barrett was hired as head coach. They made history as the first professional team with both a Black general manager and head coach. They worked to rebuild the team, leading to playoff appearances and building a stronger foundation for the future.

Modern Success and More Grey Cups (2007–Present)

2007 Grey Cup Champions

The Roughriders celebrate their 2007 Grey Cup victory

In 2007, Kent Austin became head coach. The team had a great season, finishing 12–6. They won their first home playoff game since 1976 and then defeated the BC Lions to reach the Grey Cup. On November 25, 2007, the Riders played their rivals, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, in the 95th Grey Cup. Saskatchewan won 23–19, securing their third Grey Cup championship! James Johnson was the MVP, and Andy Fantuz was the Canadian MVP.

After Austin left, Ken Miller became head coach. Quarterback Darian Durant led the team to the Grey Cup finals in 2009 and 2010, but they lost both times to the Montreal Alouettes in very close games.

2013 Grey Cup Champions

Roughrider Cheerleaders, 2012.

In 2011, Corey Chamblin was named the new head coach. The 2013 season was amazing! The team started 8–1, their best start ever. They finished 11–7 and made it to the playoffs. After winning the West Semi-Final and West Final, the Roughriders advanced to the 101st Grey Cup. This game was special because it was played in their hometown of Regina! The Roughriders defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 45–23, winning their fourth Grey Cup championship at home. Running back Kory Sheets set a Grey Cup record with 197 rushing yards and was named MVP.

The team faced challenges in the following years, including injuries to key players like Darian Durant. In 2015, after a tough start, Corey Chamblin and general manager Brendan Taman were replaced.

Recent Years (2016–Present)

Chris Jones took over as head coach and general manager in 2015. He made many changes to the team roster. After Jones left in 2018, Craig Dickenson became head coach in 2019. The Riders finished first in the West Division that year but lost in the West Final. The 2020 CFL season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, they returned to the playoffs but again lost to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the West Final. In 2022, Regina hosted the Grey Cup again, which helped the team financially.

Corey Mace Takes Over

On November 30, 2023, the Riders announced Corey Mace as the team's 48th head coach. Mace also took on the role of defensive coordinator. During Mace's first season at the helm in 2024, the Riders opened the season with a strong start. They later faced a summer slump, which included the team's first tie game since 2009. The team rallied, finishing the regular season with a 9-8-1 record. This secured a playoff spot for the first time since 2021. After defeating the BC Lions 24-21 to win the West Division, the Riders went on to win their fifth Grey Cup in 2025, with a score of 25-17 against the Montreal Alouettes.

Roughriders Fan Support

Now-defunct Mosaic Stadium at Taylor Field prior to a CFL match.

The Roughriders are known for having one of the biggest fan bases in the CFL. Their fans are called the "Rider Nation" and they are incredibly loyal. Even when the team plays away games, many fans travel to support them. Roughriders merchandise sales are very high in Canada. Fans are famous for their unique costumes, like the "watermelon helmet."

Fundraisers by Fans

Fans have always supported the team, especially during tough financial times. The "Friends of the Riders Touchdown Lottery" raised over $23 million for the team from 1986 to 2018. When the team needed money to avoid financial trouble in 1987 and 1997, fans responded to "Save the Roughriders" telethons.

Section 28

At the old Taylor Field, there was a famous section called Section 28. Fans there were known for their strong loyalty to the Riders. They would stand throughout the entire game and were very passionate, especially towards opposing fans.

Team Songs and Mascots

Fight and Theme Songs

The Roughriders have several official songs played at the stadium, including "Rider Pride" and "Paint the Whole World Green." Their touchdown song, "Green Is the Colour," is adapted from a famous soccer song. Another popular song is "On Roughriders." During the fourth quarter, the song "The Last Saskatchewan Pirate" is played, and the Cheer Team leads a stretch.

Mascots

Gainer the Gopher

The official team mascot is Gainer the Gopher. Gainer first appeared in 1977 and was updated in 2019. The name "Gainer" is a mix of the letters in "Regina." Gophers, or Richardson's ground squirrels, are very common animals on the Canadian Prairies.

Roughriders on the Radio

Roughriders games are broadcast across Saskatchewan on The Co-operators Roughrider Football Network. The main station is CKRM in Regina. Other stations in Saskatoon, Yorkton, Prince Albert, North Battleford, and Meadow Lake also carry the games. Many talented broadcasters have called Roughriders games over the years, including Dave Dryburgh and John Badham. Dave Thomas is the current voice of the Roughriders.

Team Management

President and CEO

• Jim Hopson (2005 - 2015)
• Craig Reynolds (2015 - Present)

Players of Note

Retired Numbers

The Roughriders have honored several players by retiring their jersey numbers. This means no other player on the team will wear that number. Four numbers were retired after a tragic plane crash in 1956.

Plaza of Honour

The Saskatchewan Roughriders' Plaza of Honour celebrates people who have made important contributions to the team. The first group was inducted in 1987.

Canadian Football Hall of Fame

Many players and staff from the Saskatchewan Roughriders have been honored in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame for their outstanding careers.

See also

In Spanish: Saskatchewan Roughriders para niños

• Saskatchewan Roughriders all-time records and statistics
• List of fan owned sports teams
• List of Canadian Football League seasons
• Art McEwan