Back in business today and much has accumulated in our mailbox. In no particular order, Purple, Black and Gold has a lot on our mind today. . .
Firstly, condolences to the family of the late Rich Nichol. The voice of the UW Warrior cagers for 20 years, he was a first-class talent and a nice guy to boot.
Rich passed away recently after suffering a stroke at the age of 43.
I'll remember his less-is-more delivery and his soothing baritone. He was, by far, the most accomplished public address announcer in the Ontario University Athletics conference.
Not a screamer. Not over the top. Just a classy, well-spoken and well-informed voice who knew when to shut the mic off.
Warrior games will never be the same.
JOSLIN GOES GLOBAL
University of Guelph standout Michelle Joslin, of Waterloo, will represent Canada at the fourth FISU world university women's rugby sevens championships this summer in Porto, Portugal.
The fifth-year vet paced her Gryphons to an OUA title and a bronze at the nationals this past seasons.
Take a bow, Michelle.
GRID NOTES
So, Western gets the East-West Bowl for a second straight year. The annual showcase for CFL draft-eligible players goes May 8 at TD Waterhouse Stadium. . . You've probably heard that Denis Piche has stepped down from the Ottawa Gee-Gees after a run of eight consecutive trips to the post season and a Yates Cup title. He said the decision was "gut-wrenching" but that it was impossible to keep his team among the national contenders and to maintain a family life. Wonder how the other guys around the CIS do it. . . And what of the couple of players who, the CIS announced last week, tested positive for smoking weed? Thank goodness no penalties were imposed. Chalk this one up to kids being kids. Really, ganja as a performance-enhancing substance? It's not like these guys are surfers. . . Hey, UW head coach Dennis McPhee's second cousin, Billy McPhee, has committed to the Warriors. UW has trumpeted him as "the best quarterback recruit in the nation". Great news for UW.
THE REPUBLIC OF DOYLE
Former WLU lacrosse star and Grand River Collegiate grad Colin Doyle recently became the third National Lacrosse League player to crack 1,000 career points. I've been around long enough to remember Doyle as a sometimes goofy kid. The current Toronto Rock captain has matured into one of the game's premier ambassadors. He's a king in my books.
RICH GIRL
Laurier's golden girl Whitney Rich copped a pair of gold trinkets at the recent OUA swimming championships.
She took first in the 100-metre breast stroke and in the 200-m IM.
Not so long ago, a reluctant and media-shy Rich told me she had considered transferring schools. But that was before Laurier's pool was saved.
