Post by JETStender on Sept 6, 2006 12:07:36 GMT -5
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are investigating allegations of rowdy behavior involving their cheerleading squad during one of the year's banner football weekends against their biggest rival.
A Saskatchewan woman claims some members of the Blue Lightning Dance Team were "hootin' and hollerin'" well into the wee hours at a Regina hotel -- shouting, swearing, singing and drinking after Sunday's Labour Day Classic game between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Saskatchewan Roughriders.
"We are looking into the allegations -- which is what they are at this point," Bombers president and CEO Lyle Bauer wrote in an e-mail to the Sun late yesterday.
'STARTED SINGING'
Many of the 157 suites were occupied by Saskatchewan fans, said Larry Bird, owner-manager of the Best Western Seven Oaks Inn. Eleven rooms were for Bombers cheerleaders.
"There were all these girls in the hallway," says Yvonne Watier of Saskatoon. "All of a sudden they start singing this jingle."
Watier, 46, claims the song went like this: "I'd rather be a Blue Bomber than a fu<king Roughrider, I'd rather be a Blue Bomber than a fu<king Roughrider, I'd rather be a Blue Bomber than a fu<king Roughrider, because the Riders suck sh!t."
Later that night, Watier said some of the women's doors were left open as they got ready for a night on the town. She said she saw one shirtless woman, although it looked like she was changing.
Not impressed, Watier complained to hotel management, and says she received a $32 refund. Yesterday, officials from the hotel downplayed the woman's claims.
"There's some kind of tempest in a teapot," said Bird.
"While it's certainly not choir behaviour, it certainly wasn't anything worthy of kicking (them) out."
Bird said he took only one noise complaint involving the dance team Sunday night. When he asked them to quiet down, they immediately complied.
The next morning, Bird said he received three complaints about the noise.
Bauer, who appeared to be alerted to the allegations yesterday by the Sun, said he spoke with hotel officials late yesterday.
"We have received a differing story from someone who actually works at the hotel ... If the allegations are slanderous they will be treated as such ... if they are substantiated that will be dealt with as well," he wrote.
A team official confirmed the cheerleading squad stayed at that hotel. Blue Lightning officials could not be reached for comment.
Meanwhile, Watier insists she's not an overzealous Roughriders fan. In fact, last Sunday's game was the first she's ever attended -- admittedly to support Saskatchewan.
In spite of her hotel stay, Watier said she doesn't think less of the Bombers or the cheerleaders, who are volunteers.
"Kids are going to go out and party, of course. But do it with some class," Watier said.
A Saskatchewan woman claims some members of the Blue Lightning Dance Team were "hootin' and hollerin'" well into the wee hours at a Regina hotel -- shouting, swearing, singing and drinking after Sunday's Labour Day Classic game between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Saskatchewan Roughriders.
"We are looking into the allegations -- which is what they are at this point," Bombers president and CEO Lyle Bauer wrote in an e-mail to the Sun late yesterday.
'STARTED SINGING'
Many of the 157 suites were occupied by Saskatchewan fans, said Larry Bird, owner-manager of the Best Western Seven Oaks Inn. Eleven rooms were for Bombers cheerleaders.
"There were all these girls in the hallway," says Yvonne Watier of Saskatoon. "All of a sudden they start singing this jingle."
Watier, 46, claims the song went like this: "I'd rather be a Blue Bomber than a fu<king Roughrider, I'd rather be a Blue Bomber than a fu<king Roughrider, I'd rather be a Blue Bomber than a fu<king Roughrider, because the Riders suck sh!t."
Later that night, Watier said some of the women's doors were left open as they got ready for a night on the town. She said she saw one shirtless woman, although it looked like she was changing.
Not impressed, Watier complained to hotel management, and says she received a $32 refund. Yesterday, officials from the hotel downplayed the woman's claims.
"There's some kind of tempest in a teapot," said Bird.
"While it's certainly not choir behaviour, it certainly wasn't anything worthy of kicking (them) out."
Bird said he took only one noise complaint involving the dance team Sunday night. When he asked them to quiet down, they immediately complied.
The next morning, Bird said he received three complaints about the noise.
Bauer, who appeared to be alerted to the allegations yesterday by the Sun, said he spoke with hotel officials late yesterday.
"We have received a differing story from someone who actually works at the hotel ... If the allegations are slanderous they will be treated as such ... if they are substantiated that will be dealt with as well," he wrote.
A team official confirmed the cheerleading squad stayed at that hotel. Blue Lightning officials could not be reached for comment.
Meanwhile, Watier insists she's not an overzealous Roughriders fan. In fact, last Sunday's game was the first she's ever attended -- admittedly to support Saskatchewan.
In spite of her hotel stay, Watier said she doesn't think less of the Bombers or the cheerleaders, who are volunteers.
"Kids are going to go out and party, of course. But do it with some class," Watier said.