Volunteers Power “Best-Ever” Vanier Cup Weekend in Regina

When the 60th Vanier Cup kicked off at Mosaic Stadium on November 22, the spotlight was squarely on the athletes, the crowd, and the championship itself. But behind the scenes, it was the volunteers who made it all happen. From managing ticket sales to directing fans, and from setting up pageantry to serving at gala events, more than 175 volunteers were the backbone of what many are calling one of the best Vanier Cup weekends ever.

“This was an 18-month effort,” says Bill Weir, a member of the Vanier Cup organizing committee who led the volunteer portfolio. “We had about 30 committee members working on everything from sponsorship to hospitality to transportation and game-day operations. And then, when you add in all the volunteers who came aboard closer to the event, it was truly a massive team effort.”

It helped me grow. I learned how to communicate professionally, troubleshoot problems, and stay calm under pressure. It was the kind of hands-on experience you can’t get in a classroom. — Raya Erickson, University of Regina student volunteer

That teamwork paid off. Nearly 9,000 fans filled Mosaic Stadium for the national championship, hosted by the University of Regina, U SPORTS, and the City of Regina. From the Vanier Cup Awards Gala to the final whistle, the event ran with remarkable polish and enthusiasm, – a reflection of the people who powered it.

“Regardless of how we're feeling throughout the process, our true assessment happens when we hear feedback from participants and attendees,” Weir says. “The vast majority of the comments have been positive and much appreciated, so we’re feeling very good about all the work that went into the week and the game.”

Among those volunteers was Raya Erickson, a University of Regina student who joined the Vanier Cup organizing committee as part of her fieldwork placement in Sport and Recreation Management. What started as a student internship quickly became something much bigger.

“I got involved through my program, thinking it would be a great learning opportunity,” Erickson says. “But once I got into it, my role just kept growing. I ended up handling inventory, ticketing, merchandise, even communications with suite holders and visiting teams.”

Erickson spent months sorting and cataloguing boxes of banners, scrims, and signage arriving from across the country. “I made a whole document showing where everything was going throughout the week,” she says with a laugh. “It was kind of insane, but also really satisfying to see it all come together.”

That sense of shared accomplishment extended to game day, when Erickson was part of the team managing the bustling tailgate area. “Our line was backed up to the train tracks,” she says. “Just seeing the turnout, and knowing I helped make that happen, it was incredible. And afterwards, getting emails from U SPORTS and other groups saying how smooth things went, that made all the hard work worth it.”

Keeping volunteers energized through long hours was a priority, Weir noted. “We tried to make sure everyone felt connected to the event,” he says. “We shared promotional videos to get them excited, kept snacks available, and made sure committee leads checked in with their teams. Everyone had their own approach to keeping morale high.”

For Weir, that pride goes beyond the logistics; it’s about what the volunteers represented.

“Regina has a reputation as a fantastic host city,” he says. “Events like this don’t happen without the contributions of everyone involved. I hope every volunteer knows they played an integral part in delivering such a successful final product.”

Erickson, who has already signed on to help organize the upcoming U SPORTS Canadian University Curling Championships, says the Vanier Cup taught her lessons she’ll carry into her career.

“It helped me grow,” she says. “I learned how to communicate professionally, troubleshoot problems, and stay calm under pressure. It was the kind of hands-on experience you can’t get in a classroom.”

A testament to teamwork

For all involved, the weekend was a testament to teamwork, on and off the field.

“There were many meetings and months of planning that came together in one unforgettable weekend,” says Jodie Bray, chair of the Vanier Cup host committee. “The support and enthusiasm from the community made this Regina debut a huge success. So many sponsors engaged from the very beginning, and the amazing 200+ community volunteers are the force behind the success. There was so much support. Saskatchewan is truly a special place. Prairie hospitality is what we do best. Regina is a community that continuously puts on a great event.”

From first meeting to final whistle, volunteers made the difference, delivering a championship weekend worthy of Canada’s top university football prize.