Having married their season-ticket packages into one joint account, Brian Grover and Doreen Kosmachuk will follow through by exchanging wedding vows on July 12th.
Once upon a time, they were neighbours at Mosaic Stadium. Kosmachuk watched her beloved Saskatchewan Roughriders from Section 128 while Grover took in the games in 129.
“Now we’re both in my section,” Grover said with a laugh during Saturday’s exclusive season-ticket member event.
Grover was aware of Kosmachuk — she is an enthusiastic supporter of the Green and White — before they were introduced.
When they finally met, in early October of 2020, it quickly became apparent that they had more than football fandom in common.
“She has records and a guitar,” said Grover, whose voluminous vinyl library exceeds 5,000 LPs. “Those are my hobbies.
“How do you meet somebody, just like that?”
Chalk it up to fate, football and, yes, a fluke.
Grover’s son, Brett, happened to live on the same street as Kosmachuk, just a few houses away.
“I was walking my dog and Brian’s son had three people over — Brian and two of his buddies,” Kosmachuk recalled. “I walked by and said (jokingly), ‘Why didn’t you invite me to your get-together?’ ”
Brett’s garage was more like a man-cave, with a pool table and a dart board, so Kosmachuk and her affable hound, Miko, began socializing with the Grovers and friends.
“We started talking,” Brian said, “and we’ve been together ever since.”
So there they were on Saturday, among several thousand Rider Priders who, having responded to the team’s RSVP requests, picked up their season tickets (and the accompanying gifts from the team), mingled with friends, and enjoyed a behind-the-scenes look at the stadium.
Upon arriving in the Roughriders’ locker room, Grover and Kosmachuk had their pictures taken with two prominent players — defensive lineman Micah Johnson and receiver Shawn Bane Jr.
Johnson and Bane Jr. also signed autographs for and chatted with everyone who passed by.
“Ooooh, we’ve got the watermelon suits,” Bane Jr. said to a group of colourfully, creatively clad fans. “That’s cool.”
The lineup began to form outside the stadium before 9 a.m., even though the gates did not open until 10 o’clock.
The large-scale event was so enticing that, at one point, the lineup stretched from the Brandt Centre to Gate 1 (located in the southwest region of Mosaic Stadium).
“We can’t thank our season-ticket members enough for their commitment all season long and for showing up in a massive way to our first season-ticket member event,” President-CEO Craig Reynolds said on Saturday.
“Rider Nation’s passion is something to see and we saw it today in a big way.”
Reciprocal appreciation was voiced by Larry Kielo, who made the trip from Swift Current with his son.
“This was an extremely popular event for all generations of Rider fans,” Zac Kielo’s proud father said. “We’re thankful and appreciative of the Roughriders for recognizing their season-ticket holders.”
The first 1,000 attendees received sweet treats that were distributed on the concourse.
Also on hand were the Harvard Media Cheer Team, the 620 CKRM Rider Pep Band and, of course, Gainer the Gopher.
And there were fans, fans, fans — many of whom were resplendent in personalized green and white garb.
An assortment of jerseys honoured Roughriders icons Ron Lancaster (No. 23) and George Reed (#34).
But many fans also demonstrated their appreciation for current players such as quarterback Trevor Harris (7) and running back A.J. Ouellette (45).
As for Grover, his shirt was adorned with the name and number of legendary receiver Joey Walters (17).
At the same time, Grover celebrated his best catch — his soon-to-be spouse.
A backyard ceremony, with a guest list numbering 100, has been strategically scheduled for the day after the Roughriders play host to the Calgary Stampeders.
“And you have to see our wedding invitation,” Grover said. “It looks like a gold record.”
With Saturday’s successful season-ticket member event in the books, it is now the happy couple’s turn to accept RSVPs.
