One of the youngsters who attended Tuesday’s 2024-25 Rider Reading launch has a storied family history.
Maks Korchinski, a student at Grant Road School, is the great-grandson of Saskatchewan Roughriders legend Bob Walker — a 1989 SaskTel Plaza of Honour inductee.
Walker, who joined the team in 1934 after starring at the University of South Dakota, spent seven seasons with the Roughriders.
In convergence with Tuesday’s literacy-based theme, Korchinski noted that he has read all about his great-grandfather.
“I found him in a Roughrider yearbook,” the well-spoken Grade 7 student said with a smile.
“It’s really fun and really interesting and unique to know that my great-grandfather played for the Roughriders.”
He played so well, in fact, that he earned all-star honours in 1937 and 1938.
After serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a flight lieutenant during the Second World War, he rejoined the Roughriders as the line coach.
Regina became the permanent home for Walker, who was born in Armour, S.D.
The team’s influx of skilled South Dakotans in 1934 also included quarterback Walter (Oke) Olson and receiver Steve Adkins, who became the Roughriders’ first pass-catch combo of note.
Walker, Adkins and Olson helped the Roughriders win the Western title and reach the Grey Cup in 1934.
“It makes me feel proud to know that my great-grandpa was that famous and that he was so good at football,” Korchinski said. “I could name a million sports he was good at.”
Clearly, Korchinski has immersed himself in research that has been facilitated by a love of reading.
A command of literacy also builds the type of self-confidence that enabled Korchinski to initiate a conversation that quickly turned into an interview about his family history.
Four years ago, he and several of his classmates crossed an important threshold.
“Kids in Grade 3 need to read at a Grade 3 level,” Rider Reading player ambassador Mitch Picton said. “Otherwise, it could have an impact on the graduation rate. That’s why it’s important to get books into the hands of kids at a young age.”
That message was underlined by the CEO of Rider Reading’s presenting sponsor, Conexus Credit Union.
“We know that literacy is one of the most important foundations in ensuring that children can succeed in school and in their lives,” Celina Philpot told the students during an assembly in the school gymnasium.
Conexus has pledged more than $500,000 over the next three years to support two Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation initiatives — Rider Reading and the Win with Wellness mental health program.
With regard to Rider Reading, the Foundation’s objective for this off-season is to visit 100 schools across Saskatchewan and interact with between 9,000 and 10,000 students.
Rider Reading and Win with Wellness are both aligned with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education’s curriculums.
“We’re not experts in education, but we do have a great brand and player ambassadors who love to spend time with kids,” Roughrider Foundation Executive Director Cindy Fuchs said.
On Tuesday, for example, Picton and two of his teammates — Brett Lauther and Micah Johnson — read to students at Grant Road School.
“Myself and the other ambassadors are just as excited as the kids to get into the classrooms,” said Lauther, recalling the days when he was a student in Truro, N.S., and local junior A hockey players visited his school.
“To us, it was like they were in the NHL.”
The importance of literacy also resonates with Johnson, who is a father of four.
“The moment the team gave me this opportunity, I jumped on it,” he said.
“I read to my kids. We’re making library trips every week and everybody gets a stack of books.”
There was a time when one of the best places to buy books in Regina was the Simpsons department store, located in the heart of downtown.
A portion of the second floor, just to the north of the cafeteria, was a reader’s haven.
A familiar face could be found not far away. Bob Walker, Roughriders great, was the manager of Simpsons’ men’s clothing department.
He was only 51 when he passed away on Dec. 30, 1961.
His son, also named Bob, loves to share treasured recollections with the 12-year-old Korchinski and his parents, Mark and Andrea
“My grandpa tells me stories all the time when he comes to the house,” Korchinski said. “It’s pretty awesome.
“I’m really blessed to have that bloodline in my family.”
