Rider win could pay off locally

The Saskatchewan Roughriders winning the Grey Cup had an effect on more than just those who had the good fortune of hoisting the Cup in Toronto Sunday.
It's just as big a win for anyone with a vested interest in Moose Jaw's minor and high school football programs.
Moose Jaw native and Saskatchewan Roughrider defensive lineman Scott Schultz admitted to media last week that he was an 11-year-old boy without much interest in football in 1989 when the Riders last won the Cup. It changed for him, and it may well change for other kids whose interest in gridiron was peaked this weekend.
"Good for him, first off and congratulations for the entire province," said last year's president of Moose Jaw minor football, Rod Montgomery. "I think for football in general and the entire province, it will just keep football going."
An increase in interest in minor football may surely be in the offing.
"We've been on the upswing for the last three or four years anyhow, and I think a lot of kids are realizing it is a fun league to play and there are a lot of opportunities out there," said Montgomery. "It doesn't hurt, that's for sure. It draws a lot of attention, and so I think we'll see a lot of spinoff."
With the popular Schultz' insistence that he will bring the Cup home to Moose Jaw, there is a belief the popularity of the Riders is one of the things driving young kids to play the sport.
"Certainly, when you have high profile people that draw attention to the sport, it does nothing but help the game, but they've had an impact," said Montgomery. "I don't know how big it's been, but they've had an impact."
The Riders and Schultz' impact doesn't just extend to the minor football scene. The high school football league is also expecting a large impact.
"I'm certainly happy for Scott and all of the Riders." said Larry Segall, president of the Moose Jaw High School Athletic Directorate. "Moose Jaw has always been a football town, among other sports . . . It shows the kids playing the game they can reach that elite level, that there is a chance if they work hard. Just like Scott Schultz did."
In his high school days, Schultz was one of the athletes who led the Riverview Royals to one of their only city championships ever - with Segall as his coach.
"I think anytime somebody wins a championship close to home that it does spark interest," said Segall. "It's going to be huge throughout the province for the whole time."

Corey Atkinson can be reached at 691-1260