Riders fan getting to practice with piece of Roughriders history

A young football player and lifelong Riders fan hoping to make it big is getting an opportunity to practice with a piece of Roughriders history.

Twenty-year-old Cameron Gillis, a kicker for Stetson University in Florida, is practicing during the offseason with the goal post from the old Mosaic Stadium while he’s staying with his father in Gray, Saskatchewan for a few weeks.

Before the new Mosaic stadium was built in Regina, everything inside the old stadium was auctioned off, including pieces of the artificial turf and the goalposts. Lyle Drew from Estlin, Sask. purchased one of the posts, and while Cameron is in the area visiting his grandmother, he’s been making use of the memorabilia to practice his kick.

(Cameron Gillis)

“They have a really good portion of just a lawn that is about 65 yards, almost 70. And they have one upright there they got through an auction,” Gillis told 650 CKOM’s John Gormley. “I’m backing up a decent amount, and I have all the space in the world.”

Gillis said he has been kicking field goals from about 55 yards.

“If I get to 60, it’s a great place to be for the NFL and CFL.”

Gillis told Gormley he was the starting kicker for all five games during their short season last year, and hopes to get the start again this fall.

“My mental game is strong, and I believe in myself and my leg,” he said. “If I am going to make it to the CFL or the NFL I’ve got to start here, so I am definitely pushing for it, and I think I definitely have it.”

(Cameron Gillis)

Gillis’ father Doug is originally from Saskatchewan, but moved overseas to teach in Budapest, where Cameron was born. Cameron won a football scholarship to Stetson University in Florida, where he will enter his junior year this fall.