Leading Off.

As editor of a business magazine, it's not often that I get to use this space to discuss sports. But this will be the second consecutive issue that I'll use Leading Off to mention our beloved Saskatchewan Roughriders. I'm able to do so because when it comes to the Riders, they embody more than a sports team. Indeed they represent the fabric of this province, which is a topic we oftentimes like to discuss here as well.

In Saskatchewan we see extremes of left-wing, pinko, commies and right-wing, knuckle-dragging, rednecks--and everything in between. Furthermore, we have rural and urban folks, First Nations and non-First Nations people, the young and the elderly, the well-educated and the not-so-well-educated. Despite the dichotomy that is all around us, the one thing that can unite us all is our unique bond with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

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Even our ex-pats across the country retain a loyalty to the Green and White that is astounding. Just as the saying goes about being able to take the boy out of the country but unable to take the country out of the boy, apparently the same goes for the Riders.

This love affair defies logic. It's certainly not because of our winning ways. Just by virtue of the law of averages, taking into account their longevity and the fact they've primarily played in a nine-team league, the Roughriders should have won about 10 Grey Cups by now. But alas, it's only two.

For a generation of fans, those too young to remember the glory days of Ron Lancaster and George Reed, for the most part the Roughriders have been--dare I say it--the loveable losers of the CFL. And maybe that's a role we Saskatchewanians can identify with. Perhaps in our minds we have become the meek, the mild, the second-best, the runner-ups--in short, Canada's loveable losers.

Just as mediocrity breeds mediocrity (recent Rider fans know that all too well), success breeds success (as longtime Rider fans can attest). This is where things get exciting. The club is winning, selling out home games, selling more merchandise, making more money and in the process becoming more stable. Players like to play for winners, so we should be able to retain and attract the best players available.

Furthermore, the Roughriders are a young team, with a young management (GM Eric Tillman and coach Kent Austin are in their 40s). I know the hazards of counting your chicks before they're hatched and all, but it looks like this is the real thing. And it certainly appears that the stars are in alignment for this to last a while.

If the good times are rolling in Riderville, as they are this year, there's a good chance it will have a reverberating effect on the province. It already has. And the best part is, although they're winning, the Riders remain a humble lot. They're just like the rest of us: they're good, hard-working, respectful and leaders amongst their peers.

And those are pretty good characteristics to have whether you're a football team or a businessperson. Similarly, our economy is chugging along and we'll make no excuses nor apologies for becoming the envy of the country. I'd say we're due.

Keith Moen, Editor

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