On Monday the Stampeders and Elks get set to wrap up Labour Day Weekend with the 59th edition of the Battle of Alberta Labour Day Classic.
A mainstay in Wild Rose Country, the Stamps have faced their northern rivals for all but two seasons since 1969 on the first Monday of September.
Continuing with LDC traditions, Calgary will dress in their black uniforms, a ritual the club has performed nearly every season since the jerseys were first introduced in 1994.
All Stamps fans coming to the game are encouraged to wear black, as the organization extends the Labour Day tradition of wearing black on the field and into the stands at McMahon Stadium. The Stamps have an all-time record of 36-12 while wearing black, good for a .750 winning percentage.
Members of the Black, Red and White shared their excitement for the traditional battle between provincial rivals.
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“It’s one of my favourite games of the year and it’s one of the best traditions for our country and our league.
“It really is the beginning of something new for us as a team, it feels like a bit of a new season here where everybody has a chance to win the West.”
It’s always fun on Labour Day 🔥
🎟️: https://t.co/Z221fRP78r@atbfinancial | #TogetherWeRide pic.twitter.com/TLlB087TtX
— Calgary Stampeders (@calstampeders) August 28, 2024
“This is an easy game to get excited about. This is a pre-requisite to playoffs. I like the fact that they say it’s the second season within the season because it aligns your focus on the goals at the end.
“We want to make it into the playoffs, go for that first week bye and make it to the Grey Cup. That’s what we’re aiming for, and it starts this weekend.”
A new dawn.
🎟️: https://t.co/Z221fRPEXZ@atbfinancial | #TogetherWeRide pic.twitter.com/mCzRf7RWpg
— Calgary Stampeders (@calstampeders) August 27, 2024
“I think this game matters because it is a playoff game. I’ve never seen the West Division this tight before in my whole career. Literally one game can change from being fourth to first almost.”
“Rivalries come and go, sometimes BC is a big rival when they are good, Saskatchewan is a big rival, but Edmonton is always our rival.
“So, it makes it exciting and then you layer in it’s going to be a bigger crowd, (and) the flyover is happening. As a player you know it’s a huge event and as a fan it’s a huge event. There is a lot of electricity at kickoff.”
Brandon Smith:
“We don’t like them, and they don’t like us, you know it’s going to be a heated battle.
“No matter how either team is playing, they’re going to bring their A game that week. It’s a fun environment, the fans are into it. It’s always a good environment to be at.”
