TSN personalities and me...

Okay, I want to write this down before I forget the details... was a pretty "interesting" experience.
So, every year Athletes In Action holds a Grey Cup Breakfast on Grey Cup Saturday. This year the Grey Cup was in Calgary, and since it is in Edmonton next year a whole crew of us from the U of A AIA went down to Calgary on the Friday night (this way we know what is expected of us for next year!). It was the Friday night where there was that crazy weather (a bunch of multi-car pile ups between Red Deer and Calgary). I will get to the story soon here, just gotta lay down the background and foundation.
We were at the Hyatt in Calgary at 5:30 am in the morning, and most of us were assigned around the Telus and Hyatt to direct people where to go for the breakfast. Well, Colin and I got directed quite far away from where the breakfast was being held and were told by the head honcho to stand at the top of the escalators and he would be back in a few minutes to show Colin what was expected of him. Across the room was a room with walls that were all glass, and two sets of glass sliding doors. It looked like TSN had made that area their headquarters. Sure enough a few minutes later Rodd Smith, Dave Hodges and a high strung young lady walked up to the glass doors and tried to get in, but the doors were locked. Colin and I just observed from across the room and tried to remember the Dave and Rodd’s names!
The next thing we knew this lady was walking towards us in a very determined, purposeful manner! (Please note that it was probably about 6:45 am at this point and because of the snow storm I only got to bed at midnight and had to wake up 4.5 hours later… getting driven in a friend’s RCMP Uncle’s new 4x4 from Red Deer to Calgary Friday night was sweet, but that is another story and still made a long night!)
This lady was about halfway towards us and Colin and I both stiffened up because we knew we were in for a rude awakening! She blurted out, “how do we get in there… let us in there… we need to be in there and on the air in 15 minutes!” I tried to explain to her that we were just volunteers, but could only stammer out, “We… don’t… know… how… volunteers” between her aggressive demands. She demanded, “someone hired you, so let us in.” I tried to explain that we were just volunteers for the Grey Cup breakfast, but, could only say “Volunteers… Grey Cup… Breakfast” between more of her rants before she said, “I DON’T CARE what you are here for!!! SOMEONE hired you, so let us in!”
Colin and I were both getting very frustrated, but I once again tried to calmly say, “we are volunteers for the… Grey Cup Breakfast… the person who is in charge… will be back in a few minutes.” But, she kept cutting us off and then stormed off! It was incredible!
She stormed back to Rodd and Dave and a few minutes later a security guard came along and she told him off before he let them in through a side door.
The rest of the day was awesome though. Darren Dutchyshen came along about 10 minutes later so I called him over and showed him the back door in, and he was nice. Then Dave Hodges came out and chatted with me for a few minutes and asked me to let another guy in through the side door. So, I got to help TSN a bit in the end and talk to Darren and Dave!
Oh, and I have SO MUCH respect for Henry Burris (I know Rider fans may jump on this, but it is true), and “Pinball” Clemons. Seriously, such AMAZING men, and such good examples. All the CFL players came by with security guards surrounding them, the Als and Riders specifically, well Hank came strolling in by himself and stopped to shake my hand and ask me how I was doing. This was 7:30 am in the morning, and he genuinely cared to hear how I was! Solid guy! And “Pinball,” after the breakfast he stood and signed autographs for a probably a solid 1.5-2 hours, and I observed him as he signed, and each person was treated so special, like they were his best friends for years, gave every young kid a huge, and meaningful hug. Gave every person so much respect and love!
So, was a good and memorable morning!
Crazy TSN lady and all!

The Advent Conspiracy