Leroy Shenandoah | |
|---|---|
| Born | ca. 1939 or 1940 |
| Died | March 2, 1972 Age: 32 |
| Other names | Lee Shenandoah |
| Occupation(s) | ironworker, Green Beret |
| Known for | Lacrosse |
Leroy (Lee) Shenandoah was an Iroquois amateur lacrosse player from the Onondaga tribe. He was also an American Military veteran. Shenandoah was considered one of the finest box lacrosse players of his time.[1] He served as a Green Beret and was part of the honor guard at President Kennedy's casket.
Lacrosse edit
Shenandoah played senior box lacrosse for the Onondaga Warriors in the late 1950s and 1960s. He is remembered as a skilled and fierce player, generating a comparison to hockey player Alexander Ovechkin.[2]
Personal life edit
Shenandoah dropped out of high school when he was 16, and later joined the Army. He served as a Green Beret[2] and was a member of the honor guard at President Kennedy's funeral.[2][3]
Shenandoah was 32 years old and working as the foreman on a construction site in Philadelphia, when he was killed in an altercation between police and his fellow ironworkers on March 2, 1972. The incident started when a mattress was tossed over a balcony near a filming location for the movie "Folks in Blue".[3] In the aftermath, Shenandoah was shot five times and severely beaten by police. Initially, his death was ruled an 'excusable homicide' by a judge, after police stated that the ironworkers attacked first, and they were defending themselves. The patrolman who fired the shots stated that he "fired six shots in order to protect myself."[3] Shenandoah bled to death from his injuries.[3] According to Shenandoah's fellow ironworkers involved in the incident, prompt medical attention may have saved his life: "the police left him for an hour and a half without medical attention that may have saved his life. Although there were two hospitals within blocks of the hotel, his body was thrown into a paddy wagon and taken to a hospital twenty miles away."[3]
After the initial ruling by a judge of 'excusable homicide', a jury trial was held. During the trial, advocates for the Iroquois ironworkers went to Hollywood in the hopes of obtaining any extra footage that may have been shot of the incident by the film crew for "Folks in Blue". The footage was turned over to the court, allegedly after a payment of $100,000 to the filmmakers. The filmed account matched the version of the ironworkers.
References edit
- ^ Fisher, Donald M. Lacrosse: a history of the game. Baltimore: JHU Press. p. 316. ISBN 978-0801869389.
- ^ a b c Price, S.L. (2010-07-19). "Pride of a Nation". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2010-07-23.
- ^ a b c d e Harjo, Susan Shown (2007-12-07). "Philadelphia Indian story - a 35 year memory". Indian Country Today. Retrieved 2010-07-23.
Riderville edit
Riderville is the common name for the community of Saskatchewan Roughriders fans throughout the world, and is sometimes used colloquially as the home of the team.[1][2] Riderville is also the name of the team's pavillion during the annual Grey Cup festivities.[3] In 2010, to celebrate the team's 100th anniversary, the football club held a contest entitled "Where is Riderville?" allowing communities around the province to compete for a package of prizes, including the right to be called "Riderville."
Where is Riderville Contest edit
As part of the celebration for the Saskatchewan Roughriders 100th Anniversary in 2010, the club has been holding a contest to determine which community in Saskatchewan is most deserving of the title of "Riderville." Communities could enter by writing a short essay and submitting photographs showing their towns support for the Roughriders. The grand prize is the right to be called "Riderville", along with a sign, various Roughrider sponsored events in the community and $25,000 to support minor sports in the community.[4] Four other finalists in the competition will also each be awarded $2500.[4]
The initial stage of the contest ended on July 17, 2010 when five finalists were announced at a Roughrider game. Many communities showed their support for the Roughriders in different ways, including Qu'Appelle painting a section of the Trans Canada Highway green where it runs through the town,[5] Estevan holding a parade and tailgate party to raise their own funds for minor football,[6] and Swift Current encouraging the entire town to wear green on June 1, 2010.[7] On July 17, 2010 the five finalists were announced as Avonlea, Nipawin, Unity, Weyburn, and Yorkton.[8]
At Grey Cup edit
Riderville at the Grey Cup is one of the best attended and most popular events during the week leading up to a Grey Cup game.[3]
References edit
- ^ Jones, Terry (2009-11-24). "Welcome to Calgary ... er ... Riderville, Alberta". Calgary Sun. Retrieved 2010-07-27.
- ^ Kingston, Gary (2010-07-10). "Durant riding high in Riderville". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 2010-07-27.
- ^ a b . Canadian Football League. 2009-11-03 http://greycup.cfl.ca/article/riderville-set-to-paint-calgary-green. Retrieved 2010-07-27.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help); Unknown parameter|}title=ignored (help) - ^ a b "Where is Riderville?" (pdf). Saskatchewan Roughriders. Retrieved 2010-07-27.
- ^ McAdam, Bre (2010-06-06). "Qu'Appelle Goes Big For Riderville". News Talk 650 CKOM. Retrieved 2010-07-27.
- ^ Willberg, David (2010-07-23). "Estevan has been knocked out of the Riderville contest". Glacier Interactive Media. Retrieved 2010-07-27.
- ^ "Swift Current is Riderville". Prairie Post. 2010-05-28. Retrieved 2010-07-27.
- ^ ""Where is Riderville" finalists are announced". Saskatchewan Roughriders. Retrieved 2010-07-27.