PLAYER #133 - PRESTON YOUNG (1979-80, 85)

Last year, the Grey Cup was held in Saskatchewan, the cradle of Canadian football in the heart of the Prairies. Judging by the reaction to the festivities in Regina in 1995, where commentators and veteran observers were calling it the "greatest Grey Cup ever", Hamilton has a momumental task to match it.

"Saskatchewan did an unbelievable job here, the city just went crazy," said Preston Young, a Regina native and Argo defensive back from 1979-80, and again for six games in 1985. "But I think Hamilton will do a good job too."

Maybe it's that "small town pride" thing. Regina and Hamilton are the two least-populated centres in the league, with two of the most diehard followings among local fans. The two cities also produced the best Grey Cup game ever played, the 1989 match at SkyDome when the Roughriders beat the Tiger-Cats 43-40.

Growing up in Regina, Young played for the prestigious junior Regina Rams, where the team went undefeated for two seasons. He then took a scholarship to Simon Fraser in B.C., and was the 'Riders territorial pick in 1978. He played in his hometown for one year, then was traded to the Argos in 1979.

"The first year was Forrest Gregg, and the second year was Willie Wood," said Young. "They were both Green Bay (Vince Lombardi-type) guys, really tough. Our practices were really tough, training camp especially."

But by the end of practice, Young said the players were so beat up that they didn't have anything left for the opposition, and it was reflected in their record, a couple of last place finishes in 1979 and 1980. Contrast that to this year's Argo team, which was known for light practices and days off, but was always ready to perform come game time. The result was the best record (15-3) in the team's history.

"I don't think they knew what the concept of the CFL was," said Young. "I don't think they realized that the rosters weren't as big as the American ones."

After the Argo circus, Young headed into another one in Montreal, where he was a part of the Alouettes/Concordes fiasco and the innovative coaching techniques of Joe Galat. "He was unbelievable, he had a story for everything," remembered Young.

He stayed in Montreal for four years, and then returned to the Argos in 1985, when new management was in place.

"Toronto was very disciplined, right down to the coaching," said Young. "(Ralph) Sazio would put his fist down. I'm sure he had control of everything."

A contract dispute in 1986 had Young decide to give up football for good. He stayed around Toronto for a couple more years, making some shrewd real estate moves and watching the birth of his son Daniel in a Beaches home, site of many good Argo parties. Young actually had to help deliver his son, since his girlfriend Nadine's labor went very quickly and the ambulance couldn't find their house.

Young and family returned to Regina in the late '80's, where he continued his real estate ventures and became a partner in the Regina Court and Fitness Club with three other ex-CFL'ers.