Stingers roundup

John Austen

Buzz steals the show

More than 3,000 fans were on hand for the Stingers vs. Sherbrooke football game last Saturday afternoon at Concordia Stadium.

To mark the occasion, 1000 Buzz Rocks bobbleheads, modeled after the Stingers' beloved mascot, were given away. The popular limited edition collector's items were distributed at halftime. Every ticket holder had a random chance of winning a bobblehead.

"I got one!," said a delighted Lucas St. Claire, 9, from N.D.G. "I got to punch Buzz in the stomach, too. That was cool!"

Buzz Rocks is the second bobblehead promotion launched by the Stingers. The first Buzz figurines were handed out at the launch of Concordia's new fields and stadium in September 2003.

Stinger athletes lauded

William Miller of the football team and Mélanie Poirier of the women's soccer team were named the Sir Winston Churchill Pub athletes of the week for the first week of September.

Miller, a rookie defensive end with the Concordia Stingers, collected four solo tackles, five assisted tackles and two sacks in the Stingers' 17-5 opening-game loss to the Laval Rouge et Or. After the first week of play, he led the Quebec football conference in sacks and tackles for losses. The six-foot-three, 245-pound native of Chteauguay is a political zcience major.

Poirier, a second-year mid-fielder with the Stingers, scored one goal and added two assists in five exhibition games last week. She played all but 15 minutes of the five games and was dangerous every time she was on the field. She was also named Player of the Game on two occasions. The Laval native is studying athletic therapy at Concordia.

Troy Cunningham of the football team was named the Sir Winston Churchill Pub athlete of the week for the period ending Sept. 12.

Cunningham, a fifth-year defensive end with the Concordia Stingers, collected six solo tackles and seven assisted tackles in Concordia's tough 18-15 loss to the Montreal Carabins two weeks ago. Five of his tackles were for losses. He also recovered two fumbles.

The all-Canadian is the leading tackler on the Stingers. He was selected by the B.C. Lions in the fifth round of the 2004 CFL college draft. He was also named the Quebec university football conference defensive player of the week. The six-foot-four, 270-pound native of Mallorytown, Ont., is an exercise science major.

Cagers, pucksters prep

Concordia's varsity basketball and hockey teams are gearing for what promises to be strong 2004-2005 campaigns.

The men's hockey team will open the season Oct. 24 at the University of Ottawa. The Stingers’ first home game is Oct. 29, also against Ottawa.

The women's hockey squad will play a tournament at Wilfred Laurier University from Oct. 8-10 before opening the regular season Oct. 15 at home against the McGill Martlets.

The men's basketball team will host the Concordia Nike tournament Oct. 8-9. They will also play tournaments in Ottawa and Alberta before opening league play Nov. 5 at UQAM.

The women's team will play tournaments in Manitoba and Alberta before they also start the season at UQAM on Nov. 5.

Dore to coach Maccabiah squad

John Dore of the Concordia Stingers has been appointed head coach of the Canada boys’basketball team that will compete at the 17th World Maccabiah Games in Israel, July 11-21, 2005. Herb Brown, an assistant coach with the NBA’s Detroit Pistons, will assist him.

Dore, head coach at Concordia since 1989, has taken the Stingers to the national championship tournament eight times, winning the university crown in 1990 and placing second in 1995. The Maccabiah Games are held every four years, after an Olympic year.