RAMS Alumni
Every once in a while, we get a note from RAMS alumni. Recently the club received a note from Roger Shogun, a '70's RAMS alumnus. It is posted below. We are grateful to Roger for sending us his thoughts. HIs comments I believe are still valid today about our RAMS players and their experiences. To our players, past and present, you will never forget your time here!
While he gives this coach more credit that he deserves, the fact of the matter is this is YOUR team, Rams alumni, and we know that you are proud to be part of it still!!
In 2012, this team will be entering its 50th year as an organization. I welcome players of the past to write to me and share with us your experiences.Stay tuned for more information as events are in the planning stages.
Coach Skitsko, January 2011
Coach Skitsko, I recently checked out the Sherwood Park Rams web site and was most impressed with the progress and growth of “our” organization. I find it very rewarding to know the team continues to field a team that prides itself on a history of over achieving. I played under Coach Bob Dolman and Earl Williams in 1977 and 1978. During my time with the Rams we learned so much more than football. Coach Dolman and his staff would spend hours telling us stories of their lives growing up as young men. Often these stories would have no reference to football what so ever. Many an evening on the fields of Sherwood Heights our players would absorb these stories and walk away not realizing how they would affect us later in our lives. The Rams have always focused on preparing a team to be competitive both on the field, and off. I played with many great athletes like Brett Williams, Jeff Deeprose, Dean Wagner and Kerry Laberge. I still remember Pete Plambec playing in his short-sleeved Mickey Mouse T-Shirt while it was 30 degrees outside. I now live in San Diego and have the pleasure of my son starting his football “career” this year. I find myself sharing so many memories of players and coaches from my time with the Sherwood Park Rams. During my time playing football my father would always tell me “The lessons you learn while playing football will ultimately help you later in life”. I thought he was crazy and would respond “What are you talking about? I am playing football with the Rams”! I now find his words to be so true. The preparation and discipline required to be competitive in life/business. To learn the thrill of success, and the lessons learned from failure. Being part of a team and contributing to a common goal, while leveraging your teammate’s strengths and adapting to your opponents weaknesses. Big time lessons absorbed all while playing football! I offer my congratulations to all involved with the Sherwood Park Rams organization. What an institution you have formed. I wish all current and future Sherwood Park Rams players the best of luck in both their football careers as well as their life after football. May you collect as many fond memories of your time with the Rams as I have. I remain proud to be part of the Sherwood Park Rams alumni.
Sincerely,
Roger Shogan
Congratulations to Danny Bass Jr. for being named defensive player of the week in the CIS. Danny is an integral part of the U of A Golden Bear Defense!
RAMS ALUMNI FORM BIG PART OF 2005 ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS
Pictured below are 6 Rams alumni who are all playing with the University of Alberta Golden Bears this season. Congratulations to all of these hard working students who are participating at the highest level of amateur football in Canada. (PS The "short guy" in the middle is a U of A grad too. We don't know how he snuck into the picture!)
Left to right: Luke Lavorato (1996/97); Darcy Bennett (1996/97); Scott Schriver (1997/98); Coach Skitsko; Murray Fikowski (1998/99); Erik Ness (1998/99); Cory Lakusta (1996)
The RAMS wish to congratulate the following alumni who have been awarded Rams Bursaries by the club:
2001
Trevor Scobie, Will Shulba and Zach Yuzwa
2002
Darcy Bennett and Jordan Kula
2003
David Chmelyk, Jason Ewaskiw, Steven Golko, Matt Lemay, Daniel Mantei,
Tim McFadyen, Rob Olexson and Scott Schriver
2004
Nathan Bell, Dan Bass, Brad Caron, Aaron Christianson, Mike Jespersen,
Curt Martin, Erik Ness, Travis Kemp and Jamie Olsen
2005
Chris Bohush, Brent Dul, Murray Fikowski, Jeff Golinowski ,Kevin Hammermaster,
Adam Skitsko and Nathan Warnock
2006
Omar Amer, Steve Chase,Trevor Ford,Kelly Grabill,Adam Joy, Amber Kay, Levi Laseur, Nathan Toonen, Trevor Topilko and Ryan Tucker
2007
Zach Amyotte, Ian Cuff, David Ehrler, Craig Gerbrandt, Brad Maloney, Michael Richards and Matt White
2008
Mark Gmeinweiser, Duncan Hankinson, Cam Argue, Taylor Paulson, Chris Chmilar, Ryan Meraw, Jordan Allers, Korey Johnson, Bennett Draganiuk, Blair Barzeele, Justin Barzeele, Christian Brown, Nathaniel Curtis,Adam Hawthorne, Darcy Hinds
2009
Jordan Adamson, Michael Berg, Garrett Elsey, Greg Frost, Eric Ginda, Ryan Granberg, Pierce Hanatiuk, Shawn Hutton, Bryden Kagel, Michael Korte, Jonathon Leighton, Marc Mazurek, Dustin McDonald, Chad Nicpon, Ben Proulx, Brett Raftis, Matt Speers
2010
Brandon Vickers, Kael Schryver, Jay Meraw, Andrew Carefoot, Brad Nehring, Shawn Gerrie, Joel Seutter, Kyle Brow, Tanner Stephens
All Rams who are enrolled in a post secondary program of studies are eligible to apply. Please check our Rams Bursary link for more information.
April, 2004 Alberta Team North Selections for Senior Bowl
Congratulations to all Strathcona County players who made the team. RAMS alumni who made the North All Star team included linebackers Jeff Golinowski and Levi Laseur. Defensive end Craig Gerbrandt and defensive back Scott Stinchcombe also made the team.
Congratulations to Sherwood Park high school players Brock Dermott, Tyler Budinski, Matt Orlitz, David Raborn, Mike Whattam, Garrett Degenhardt, Peter Vander-Meulen, Alex Holben, Dylan Karch, Brennan Lafleur and Jasui Mistecki for making the team. Out of a total of 40 players selected for the team, 15 came from Sherwood Park. Way to go guys!
July, 2002 Team Alberta Captures Bronze
Team Alberta 2002 recovered from an opening game loss to post two convincing wins to clinch a bronze medal at this years event.The Alberta team suffered a heart breaking loss in the opening game to team Manitoba 13-7.Alberta showed no let down my shutting out team New Brunswick 29-0 in game two,and followed with a bronze winning performance by defeating Nova Scotia 37-6.The Rams congratulate all the players from this years squad and are especially proud of former Rams Jason Meraw and Scott Schriver.We wish the both of them a great season in 2002.
North Wins 2002 Senior Bowl
On paper this year's Alberta Senior Bowl was decided before the game was played.Team South rolled into town with a very impressive roster,hoping to put it together on the field Monday .The North squad had something to say about it,as they out-hustled and used their team speed to defeat the South by a final score of 25-13 before a crowd of 1,435 at Foote Field.The North jumped out to a 7-3 lead on a 90 yard TD run by former Ram and Archbishop
Jordan quarterback Jay Meraw ,the second longest run from scrimmage in Senior Bowl history.The south battled back to trail by a single point when another former Ram and Jordan player Adam Skitsko returned a 25 yard interception for a touchdown,sealing the victory for Team North.It was a special feeling for Skitsko after missing all of last year with a knee injury.Team North's Scott Schriver was named the most valuable lineman for Team North. Scott played for the Rams in 1997 and just completed a Provincial winning season with the Ardrossan Bison's.The Rams would also like to congratulate all the other players and coaches from the area for a job well done.Congrats to coach Paul Schwartz , Pete Lavorato , Dan Bass and others for a wonderful game.
North Roster for Senior Bowl finalized
This year's North roster for the 2002 Senior Bowl was selected after the tryout camp held April 12-14th at Foote Field.The Sherwood Park Rams would like to congratulate the players in Sherwood Park, Matt Ciezki , Jay Meraw , Rene Cloutier and Adam Skitsko of Archbishop Jordan, Logan Karch , Harris Pipella , Andrew King of Bev Facey, Kevin Currie of Salisbury, and Scott Schriver of Ardrossan. The Rams are very proud of former Rams Jay Meraw , Scott Schriver and Adam Skitsko for this outstanding accomplishment.
2002 Edmonton Journal High School All-Stars
The entire Rams organization would like to congratulate 2 former Rams for being selected to this team.Dan Bass of the Ardrossan Bisons,and Mike Jespersen of the Fort Saskatchewan Sting.These players not only demonstrated great football skills,they are great young citizens off the field.The entire Rams family are proud of you!.The Rams would also like to congratulate a Northstars alumni,Logan Karch of the Bev Facey Falcons for his selection to this outstanding team.
November 2001
Congratulations to RAMS alumni Kelly Alexander, Danny Bass Jr., Phil Lawrence, Scott Shriver and Coach Dan Bass for winning an Alberta Provincial Football Tier 4 Championship with the Ardrossan Bisons. WELL DONE!