Jay Onrait and Don Narcisse Guest Speakers for EMF Dinner

Estevan Minor Football wanted to make this year's fundraising dinner a huge success and I would say mission accomplished with the announcement that TSN's Jay Onrait and Rider legend Don Narcisse will be the guest speakers.

 Here is the official release from Estevan Minor Football.

One thrilled Estevan with his wit and humor during TSN’s Kraft Celebration Tour last summer. The other thrilled Saskatchewan Roughrider fans during a career spanning 13 years. 

Together, they’re coming to Estevan as part of Penta Completions Estevan Minor Football and the Estevan Elecs latest fundraising venture.

The Estevan Football Family is pleased to announce TSN SportsCentre host Jay Onrait and CFL Hall of Famer Don Narcisse as the guest speakers for it’s annual fundraising dinner. The event is set for April 14 at the Estevan Curling Rink.

Returning to emcee the event is Michael Ball, known to many for his role in CKRM’s Roughrider radio coverage.

Onrait co-hosts the 1 a.m. ET weekday edition of SportsCentre alongside Dan O’Toole. Viewers can also catch the duo each morning as that broadcast repeats on a loop until 1 p.m. ET the following day. Onrait was the host of Olympic Morning on CTV for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games and will be part of the coverage for this summer’s Olympic Games in London, England.

But we remember Onrait for what he brought to Estevan last August during TSN’s Kraft Celebration Tour. The singing and dancing on-stage that energized the crowd and made that day’s edition of SportsCentre one local sports fans will never forget.

“Estevan Minor Football is continually blessed with the support we have received from our city, community, province, and now from all over,” says EMF president Steve McLellan.

“Being named a stop on the Kraft Celebration Tour 2011 allowed our wonderful community and program to be showcased to the entire country. Hosting Jay and Dan, as well as the rest of the Celebration tour gang was definitely a highlight of 2011. Anyone that attended, or watched the Kraft Celebration Tour stop on TV was treated to a great party and memory that hopefully we can build on April 14. Jay Onrait is a truthfully great guy, with an amazing sense of humor that I am sure will be on display once more in Estevan,” McLellan stated.

Narcisse, inducted into the CFL Hall of Fame in 2010, signed with the Roughriders on Sept. 1, 1987. He is a four-time CFL all-star, five-time divisional all-star, and was the Roughriders most popular player in 1994, 1995 and 1998. Of course, he was also a member of that Roughriders magical team which won the Grey Cup in 1989. And who can forget his touchdown dance? And the glass cutter gloves?

“To host Don Narcisse, the best receiver ever in the storied history of the Saskatchewan Roughriders is truly an honor for the Estevan Football Family,” McLellan says.

“Growing up watching legends such as Don in the CFL, has had a huge influence on the passion of many of us involved with the Estevan Football Family. Witnessing the tremendous support Don has received during and after his CFL career in Saskatchewan, he is sure to be a very captivating personality on April 14.”

As for Ball, he did a bang-up job emceeing last year’s dinner that it was an easy decision to have him back. He’s clever, funny and great at ad-libbing. Ball is also the current play-by-play voice of the University of Regina Rams and is part of the morning show on The Wolf 104.9. McLellan expects nothing but laughs from Ball.

“If last year was any indication, Michael is a tremendous emcee, and will provide many laughs while hosting the event. I personally cannot wait to see the banter between Jay and Michael.”

“Michael is a huge fan of the Estevan Football Family, and is a great supporter of minor football in the province,” McLellan concluded.

Tickets for the dinner are available at Henders Drugs. Price per ticket is $50. If you’re interested in a corporate table, please call Val (421-9850 or 388-2994) or e-mail vpaulson@sasktel.net. You can also call Wanda (634-3147 evenings) or e-mail theharrons@sasktel.net. Only 500 tickets will be sold.