ROBSERVATIONS: An appreciation of Dennis Mulvihill … lengthiest gaps between Riders stints … and a message from QB7
Dennis Mulvihill’s love of community was reflected by his passion for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
On top of being a devoted fan of the Green and White, he joined the team’s Board of Directors in 2008 and served for nine years.
Many of his contributions were behind the scenes, but were nonetheless integral — part of a rich legacy left by this fine gentleman, who was 76 when he passed away on Feb. 12.
“He was his own man, with a quick and fertile mind often leading to strong opinions,” says Rob Pletch, who was the Chair when Mulvihill joined the Board. “You knew where he stood.
“But his thoughts and views were always rooted in his abiding love for the Riders and our province. He was a great and memorable friend to many.”
Not just in football circles.
“He cherished the arts, music and his community,” reads a portion of his obituary, which references his “innate passion for the province of Saskatchewan.”
Consider his involvement with the Globe Theatre, Athol Murray College of Notre Dame (the school’s president has long resided in Wilcox-based Mulvihill House), the Hospitals of Regina Foundation and the United Way.
Born in Manitoba, Mulvihill grew up in Regina. He attended the University of Saskatchewan (Regina campus) before beginning a long and successful career in investment banking with Houston Willoughby (later RBC Dominion Securities).
Above all, he was a husband (to Vicki), father (to Sara, Patrick and Daniel) and grandpa (to Caleb, Payton, Aidan and Meghan).
“If you asked Dennis his greatest accomplishment, he would likely tell you it was family,” the obituary says. “There was nothing he wouldn’t do for them.
“He was always there to lend a sympathetic ear, offer sound advice, or share a corny joke.”
And he was always there when the Roughriders played a home game.
The most notable such contest in franchise history was played on Nov. 24, 2013, when Saskatchewan posted a 45-23 Grey Cup victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at historic Mosaic Stadium.
Being on the Board at such a momentous time was, according to the obituary, “the honour of his lifetime.”
It was a lifetime full of great achievements, good deeds and selfless devotion.
“Dennis was the consummate professional,” says Roger Brandvold, who succeeded Pletch as Board Chair.
“His passion for the Riders was always visible. He was exceptionally proud to be on the Board of Directors and took his responsibility seriously, as he did his professional career.
“He took pride in everything he did. He was a leader in our community, an exceptional volunteer, and he was constantly looking for ways to improve the fan experience with the Riders.
“He and Vicki were great to our city, our province and certainly to the Riders.”
LONGEVITY LIST
The recent signing of Tevaughn Campbell prompted an ardent fan, Keith Willoughby, to wonder if the 31-year-old defensive back’s interval between stints with the Roughriders is the longest in franchise history.
My curiosity piqued, I looked it up.
Campbell, as it turned out, is 11th.
Traded to the Montreal Alouettes on Aug. 15, 2017, he rejoined the Roughriders on Feb. 3, 2025 — a hiatus of 2,729 days.
The longer intervals (taking into account the post-Second World War era) are as follows:
4,025 — Lance Chomyc (K)
July 24, 1985: Released by Roughriders.
July 31, 1996: Signed by Roughriders (21-day trial).
3,928 — Kevin Glenn (QB)
May 19, 2004: Traded to Toronto (and then to Winnipeg).
Feb. 19, 2015: Signed by Roughriders.
3,697 — Steve Glenn (LB-LS)
June 18, 1995: Released by Roughriders.
Aug. 1, 2005: Signed by Roughriders.
3,646 — Drew Tate (QB)
Nov. 9, 2008: Released by Roughriders.
Nov. 3, 2018: Signed by Roughriders.
3,493 — Jovon Johnson (DB)
Nov. 26, 2007: Released by Roughriders.
June 19, 2017: Signed by Roughriders.
3,423 — Paul McCallum (K-P)
Feb. 15, 2006: Became free agent (subsequently signed with B.C.).
July 1, 2015: Signed by Roughriders.
2,919 — Jermarcus Hardrick (OL)
Feb. 16, 2016: Released by Roughriders (subsequently signed with Winnipeg).
Feb. 13, 2024: Signed by Roughriders.
2,866 — Jamel Richardson (REC)
Feb. 16, 2007: Became free agent.
Dec. 22, 2014: Signed by Roughriders.
2,829 — Derick Armstrong (REC)
Jan. 13, 2003: Signed with NFL’s Houston Texans.
Oct. 12, 2010: Added to Roughriders’ practice roster.
2,821 — Glenn Kulka (DL)
June 26, 1987: Acquired from B.C.; traded to Toronto.
March 17, 1995: Signed by Roughriders.
A few notes:
• Chomyc never actually played in a game for Saskatchewan. His playing career, consisting of 156 regular-season games, was spent entirely with the Toronto Argonauts. He was in Saskatchewan for a total of 23 days — 21 in 1985 and two in 1996.
• Steve Glenn’s first stint consisted of training camp in 1995.
• Kevin Glenn is the highest-ranked player who appeared in at least one game on both ends of the equation.
• Tate never played a game for Saskatchewan.
• Armstrong’s second stay in Riderville lasted two days. Edmonton quickly claimed him off Saskatchewan’s practice roster and added him to the lineup.
• Kulka’s first stint with the Roughriders was strictly transactional. In June of 1987, he was acquired from B.C. for fellow defensive lineman Brett (The Toaster) Williams, who had been claimed with the second overall pick in the Alouettes’ dispersal draft. Kulka was summarily shipped to Toronto for a third-round pick in the 1988 CFL Draft.
TREVOR TIME
The Roughriders’ starting quarterback recently posted the following message on our social media channels:
“Hey, Rider Nation. Trevor Harris here. Miss you guys. Let’s talk a little free agency real quick.
“Malik Carney. Jameer Thurman. Micah Johnson. Nelson Lokombo. Marcus Sayles. Charbel Dabire. Special-teams ace A.J. Allen. Super Mario Alford. Trevon Tate. Mitch Picton and Rolan Milligan. These are all guys who have extended before we got to the free-agency period.
“And technically, you could say we’re adding A.J. Ouellette and Jermarcus Hardrick because they’re going to be healthy this year — a couple of beasts for us.
“Then we also traded for Jake Maier. We added Mike Rose, Shane Ray, Tevaughn Campbell and Tommy Nield — all before free agency started.
“And then just to top things off, we added Philippe Gagnon to help us out up front, and the best sneaker of all time, Tommy Stevens.
“So the word of the year — continuity. We’ve got a group that’s been together, that’s staying together, that’s going to level up, and we need you guys to be there to support us this year.
“We can’t wait until June this year to see you all out at Mosaic Stadium. So I hope you guys are all doing great. God bless you all. Take care.
“Go Riders. Let’s go!”
ROLL CREDITS
• Nice people who deserve a plug: Vicki Mulvihill, Rob Pletch, Roger Brandvold, Connor McDavid, Jordan Binnington, Mitch Marner, Jon Cooper, Larry Kielo, Shawn Bane Jr., Cal Filson, Zachary Lansard, Aaron Anderson, Alex Larsen and Philippe Gagnon.
