SZARKA AND MORGAN GOING INTO PLAZA
Today the Saskatchewan Roughrider Plaza of Honor Committee announced two new members will be inducted into the Plaza of Honor. This year Chris Szarka and Omarr Morgan will have their names forever etched into Saskatchewan Roughrider history.
Besides being Saskatchewan’s most prestigious sporting dinner, the Plaza of Honor Dinner has contributed over $6 million to the Saskatchewan Roughrider Football Club.
The Plaza of Honor Dinner presented by SaskTel has inducted 116 individuals who have made major contributions to the proud tradition of the Saskatchewan Roughrider Football Club. The club has also inducted the 1966, 1989 and 2007 Grey Cup championship teams.
The cairn honouring the Plaza of Honor Inductees is situated outside the main gates on the west side of Mosaic Stadium. The Plaza of Honor cairn is sponsored by SaskTel, SASK SPORT INC. and the City of Regina.
This year’s dinner is set for Friday, September 19th at the Credit Union Eventplex – Evraz Place. To accommodate a much larger audience, the event will once again take place in the Eventplex and will allow patrons a spacious opportunity with a large reception area throughout the evening to meet and greet friends and associates.
For information on tickets or corporate tables, contact the Saskatchewan Roughrider Ticket Office at 525-1281 or 1-888-474-3377 or any committee member.
CHRIS SZARKA
Eastern Illinois
#33
Fullback
1997-2010
• Born in Vancouver, BC in 1975
• Played 14 seasons in the CFL – all with the Roughriders
• Played his college football at Eastern Illinois
• Originally selected in the 2nd round (13th overall) of the 1997 Canadian Draft
• Played 226 regular season games
• Played in 15 playoff games and four Grey Cups
• Won the Grey Cup with Saskatchewan in 2007
• Named the Riders Most Outstanding Canadian in 2002 and 2003
• Named the West Divisions
• Most Outstanding Canadian in 2003
• Finished his CFL career with 423 carries for 1,703 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns while adding 98 receptions for 1,308 yards and five touchdowns
• Was known as the ‘Canuck Truck’
OMARR MORGAN
Brigham Young
#1
Defensive Back
2000-2010
• Born in Hollywood, CA in 1976
• Played 11 CFL seasons; ten with the Roughriders
• Played collegiately at Brigham Young University
• Originally signed with the Riders as a free agent in June 1999
• Signed with the St. Louis Rams in April, 1998
• Played 192 career regular seasons games … 176 with the Riders
• Played in 12 playoff games
• Played in two Grey Cups (2009, 2010)
• Was named a West Division All-Star in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2005
• Was named a CFL All-Star three times (2002, 2003, 2005)
Finished his CFL career with 608 defensive tackles, 37 special teams tackles, 62 pass knockdowns, 27 interceptions – two returned for touchdowns, and 11 fumble recoveries – three of which were returned for touchdowns.
Szarka? guy didn't crack 500 yards rushing in a season. 0 all star appearances. Never a featured back. He was a good football player but I don't see it. And to get in before Wes Cates? 2nd all time in rushing?
Or before Schultz, retired longer, better Canadian?
I don't get it. #fail
I don't think Szarka was a bad football player, but he was a role player. Popular guy I guess.
Szarka was a popular player: If the armchair coaches got their way Szarka, and only Szarka, would have gotten the ball and would have received numerous awards and accolades
Morgan was probably best remembered as the guy who left the Riders in 2007 to Edmonton to get his pay day, while the Riders got their payday with the Grey Cup.
Here’s an idea: Why don’t the Plaza of honour let the season ticket holders vote for who gets in?
Plaza committee can elect in a historical player and the season ticket holders can vote in a “recent day” player in.
N O, spelled out just for you.
no thanks to fan voting. fan voting sucks IMHO. (just look at the starting all star teams for mlb or nba for examnple) It should be on merit, the stats that back it up, not a popularity contest.
Saddly the committee missed the mark on merit this year I think. ought to look at Szarka stats and argue him over others that have missed out.
J FRENCH, I think you may have jumped the gun with your rationale that Szarka does not belong in the Plaza. Chris Szarka had a role and that role never included being the feature back nor was he expected to rush for 500+ yards. The man played FB and blocked as well as any FB we have ever had. When we needed a yard, he got us two. He made some big plays (like many others have as well) in crunch time as well. I know you can't be put in the Plaza based on a single play but his… Read more »
Two more Roy and Danny finds. Had Danny not lined up Szarka to take the ball which was a non traditional formation for a Fullback nobody would have heard from him. Fullback is a smaller O-Lineman there to block. Szarka belongs in there, he was all heart. Omar Morgan had Eddie Davis not been in Saskatchewan then he might have been considered one of the all time greats at that spot. They both belong, but not putting in Scott Schultz when Nate Davis is in there is just ludicrous. Roy and Danny need to be in there. Eventually the guys… Read more »
@JFrench
I don't think Wes Cates is eligible until next year.
BB
Roy and Danny, C'mon now Obama you are stretching it a little bit for the place now.
CCConnie
Roy yes. Danny no. If if Shivers had actually fired Barrett he would have stayed longer and if hopson didn't derail him. But its true that when those two took over the Riders started meaing something again in the city and province, the stands started getting full again. And they haven't looked back since. For that I believe mr shivers should be honoured in the plaza. If it was 3rd and 1 and offence was on the field everyone knew szarka was going to get the ball and most of the time he got one or two. He was a… Read more »
Roy won't get in as long as Hopson is in charge, that's a fact. It is apparent that Hopson still holds bitter feelings over what happened in 06. Prime example is that Riders 100th anniversary video. No mention of Roy or even Danny at all. Plus in the rankings of all time Riders, Roy got stuck way at the back. Too bad, really. Roy brought this team back from the brink. You don't come back from three-win seasons to a top contender just by fluke.
Gunderson
Obama, you better look up your history! Szarka was not signed by Shivers! He was a Rider in 1997 and Shivers never came to the Riders until late 99. Also, Shivers record wasn't much better than before he came. The team was 5;13 and 6-12 in his first 2 years. The biggest thing Shivers will be remembered for is pissing off Henry Burris enough for Henery to leave the Riders. Danny and Roy should NEVER, NEVER be in the PLAZA
nough said
y'r welcome
@John, "The little lights are not twinkling". (Art; Clark Grizwold's Father in Law) He brought Eddie Davis to the CFL and he brought Omar Morgan. The list goes on and on and on. Roy Shivers inherited a 3 win team, with zero on the depth chart. It would have been easier to start an expansion team. Incidently which Roy did with Birmingham and got them a .500 record out of the door. No Roy laid a foundation, and his time came and went. These things happen when you don't worry what the good old boys think about you. He set… Read more »
Fans hated Roy for his ruthless honesty. Liked Eric's 'tell them what they want to hear' approach much better. Roy did some great things to build talent. Made some mistakes but I would have him scout talent any day.
Szarka haters know absolutely nothing about football. First off he's a full-back. The Riders frequently used a full-back in the I formation and Szarka was the best blocking back in the league and was unstoppable in short yardage. He didn't have the jump off the page stats because his position didn't allow for it.
The political cronies got together with Roughriders brass and this is the result. Other players more deserved of Induction than CZ, nothing personal, just opinion.
George Geef