LOCAL LAURIER PLAYERS PUMPED FOR DESJARDINS VANIER CUP
“Our regional finals were at Ivor Wynne,” Agro says. “(Laurier running back) Bryon Hickey was a teammate of mine and we won a couple of championships there.
“We’re going home to where we started and we definitely want to keep the winning streak alive.”
Agro is one of seven Laurier players with local ties to the surrounding areas. Defensive back Jordan Van Horn (Assumption SS), defensive end David Montoya (Notre Dame) and fifth-year running back Hickey (Notre Dame), who scored three touchdowns in Laurier’s 31-10 win over the Acadia Axemen in the Uteck Bowl, all hail from Burlington. Two Hawks, veteran defensive back Joel Wright (Saltfleet HS) and quarterback Jamie Partington (Saltfleet HS), are from Stoney Creek just east of Hamilton, while fifth-year defensive lineman Adrian Houwer (Cayuga Secondary) is a native of the small town of Cayuga, located just south of Hamilton.
For these players, the opportunity to play the Desjardins Vanier Cup close to their own backyards is a once in a lifetime dream.
“It’s pretty unbelievable,” Agro says. “My dad was a CIS guy and growing up, he always took us to the Vanier Cup. It’s something that was always with you but playing in it seemed so far away.”
The inclusion of an OUA team from just under an hour outside of Hamilton has been a big boost to ticket sales as the game approaches, particularly with the family and friends of the local players scrambling to get to the game. Agro, who is a cousin of teammate Dante Luciani, knows that his family is among those rushing to get seats.
“Between my aunt and my mom, they’ve bought over 200 tickets,” says Agro. “It’s definitely a comfortable feeling knowing you’re not going into a hostile environment.”
The Golden Hawks are the first Ontario University Athletics team to play in the national championship game since 1995, when the Western Mustangs lost 54-24 to the Calgary Dinos. It also marks Laurier’s first appearance in 14 years, the last coming back in 1991. The Golden Hawks defeated the Mt. Allison Mounties 25-18 in front of a crowd of 30,191, the second largest in the history of the event.
“It’s great to have an OUA team in the game again,” says Desjardins Vanier Cup event director Kevin Webster. “It’s been a long time and Laurier fans have responded. Tickets have been flying out the door since their win in the Uteck Bowl last week. We want the local community here in Hamilton, as well as the surrounding areas, to see what a great game this will be, especially with an OUA representative.
“Saskatchewan’s been there before and with Laurier hungry for a national championship, it promises to be an incredible show December 3.”
Tickets are still available for the game at Ivor Wynne Stadium. Group rates are only available until Friday, November 25.
Call 1-866 -4VANIER or 905-547-CATS for ticket information. You can also visit www.vaniercup.com or www.ticketmaster.ca for more details.
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For more information, contact:
David DiCenzo
2005 Desjardins Vanier Cup Communications Coordinator
Phone: 905-540-5156
Fax: 905-540-5149
Cell: 905-870-9773
Email: david.dicenzo@oua.ca