James Fraser (University of Guelph)
@jamesefraser.bsky.social
history professor • Canadian football history • finishing book on Toronto Argonauts, 1873-1956 • member, Canadian Football Research Soc, Pro Football Researchers Assoc, Argonauts historical committee • tempora mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis
That's an average of 28 per team, just below 2/3 (63%) of the entire roster. If you think the rouge contributes more to attendance issues than this much roster fluidity/uncertainty, you've been radicalized. Any fan with kids will tell you the impact favourite players leaving has on actual fans.
November 28, 2025 at 7:25 PM
That's an average of 28 per team, just below 2/3 (63%) of the entire roster. If you think the rouge contributes more to attendance issues than this much roster fluidity/uncertainty, you've been radicalized. Any fan with kids will tell you the impact favourite players leaving has on actual fans.
Amen, brother.
Annual reminder: if you're not in a place where Thanksgiving is celebrated at the end of November there's no reason to succumb to Black Friday nonsense. It's just Friday ...
November 28, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Amen, brother.
Elegantly put. I have had a very similar experience as a Liberal since 1988, although 15 years as a Liberal Democrat in postindustrial urban Scotland did, I think, move me a little to the left from where my semi-rural youth had led me.
November 27, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Elegantly put. I have had a very similar experience as a Liberal since 1988, although 15 years as a Liberal Democrat in postindustrial urban Scotland did, I think, move me a little to the left from where my semi-rural youth had led me.
That's it for my in-class teaching until January. A mountain of marking/grading awaits, of course; but it will be fun to start thinking about next semester's course on football in Canadian sports history.
November 27, 2025 at 7:38 PM
That's it for my in-class teaching until January. A mountain of marking/grading awaits, of course; but it will be fun to start thinking about next semester's course on football in Canadian sports history.
Reposted by James Fraser (University of Guelph)
Students in Prof. Kevin James's 'Invitation to History' class officially launched a new exhibit: 'Caledonian Correspondence: Scottish Hotels in Postcards', now installed at the @uofglibrary.bsky.social!
Congratulations on a successful launch to everyone involved!
@uguelphhist.bsky.social
Congratulations on a successful launch to everyone involved!
@uguelphhist.bsky.social
November 26, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Students in Prof. Kevin James's 'Invitation to History' class officially launched a new exhibit: 'Caledonian Correspondence: Scottish Hotels in Postcards', now installed at the @uofglibrary.bsky.social!
Congratulations on a successful launch to everyone involved!
@uguelphhist.bsky.social
Congratulations on a successful launch to everyone involved!
@uguelphhist.bsky.social
I recoil from Madani's gleeful schadenfreude when reporting on the CFL. But I'm glad somebody is doing some rapping on the Good Ship Argo. If there's something rotten somewhere, the fans deserve to know what it is, and my fellow season ticket members deserve to know what they're investing in.
November 27, 2025 at 1:51 AM
I recoil from Madani's gleeful schadenfreude when reporting on the CFL. But I'm glad somebody is doing some rapping on the Good Ship Argo. If there's something rotten somewhere, the fans deserve to know what it is, and my fellow season ticket members deserve to know what they're investing in.
The Yates Cup, first awarded in 1898, was the national championship trophy for decades when there was only one senior intercollegiate union in Canada.
The Vanier Cup Becomes Canada’s University Football Championship
There was no national football championship for university or collegiate football. That changed in 1965.
canadianfootballhistory.ca/2025/11/26/t...
There was no national football championship for university or collegiate football. That changed in 1965.
canadianfootballhistory.ca/2025/11/26/t...
The Vanier Cup Becomes Canada’s University Football Championship - Canadian Football History
Universities in Canada have played football since…well…since football has been played in Canada. Teams from the University of Toronto, McGill University, and...
canadianfootballhistory.ca
November 26, 2025 at 8:03 PM
The Yates Cup, first awarded in 1898, was the national championship trophy for decades when there was only one senior intercollegiate union in Canada.
Fascinating to watch this issue roll out, knowing the history of how and why Canadian rugby/football rid itself of the scrum in the 1880s, and later ditched it's watered-down successor, the 3-man scrimmage, in favour of the American snapback (now "snap").
November 26, 2025 at 6:50 AM
Fascinating to watch this issue roll out, knowing the history of how and why Canadian rugby/football rid itself of the scrum in the 1880s, and later ditched it's watered-down successor, the 3-man scrimmage, in favour of the American snapback (now "snap").
You have to work pretty hard to make it seem like Farrell "accepted" anything of the kind. In his public comments, he protected his players. Full stop.
November 26, 2025 at 12:52 AM
You have to work pretty hard to make it seem like Farrell "accepted" anything of the kind. In his public comments, he protected his players. Full stop.
And inevitably, IT lasted just long enough to kill off the printed word industries, so we can't simply fall back on newspapers, magazines and books.
One of the big tidal forces of the coming years is that the baseline reliability of things you see on a screen is going to decline.
I think this has not been adequately metabolized.
This is one version, but there are a bunch of them.
I think this has not been adequately metabolized.
This is one version, but there are a bunch of them.
NEW: AI “recipe slop” is overrunning search and social. Food creators say Google’s AI Overviews and glossy fake food pics are drowning out real, tested recipes — collapsing traffic and setting home cooks up for disaster, especially this Thanksgiving.
Gift link: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Gift link: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
November 25, 2025 at 11:49 PM
And inevitably, IT lasted just long enough to kill off the printed word industries, so we can't simply fall back on newspapers, magazines and books.
Stumbled on this report from 1964.
I have a feeling "Miss Post" is going to have a pretty fine career.
I have a feeling "Miss Post" is going to have a pretty fine career.
November 25, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Stumbled on this report from 1964.
I have a feeling "Miss Post" is going to have a pretty fine career.
I have a feeling "Miss Post" is going to have a pretty fine career.
The grossly illegal disappearings continue. Gestapo. Period.
Rep. Jacob Rosecrants is in touch with State Rep. Jared Deck (Norman) and Rep. Tom Cole (Repub). The office of U.S. Sen. James Lankford (Repub) has been made aware.
They can't find Dr. Abedini's location. Important for several reasons including filing habeas corpus docs.
URL: x.com/jacobrosecra...
They can't find Dr. Abedini's location. Important for several reasons including filing habeas corpus docs.
URL: x.com/jacobrosecra...
![Rep. Jacob Rosecrants 🌩️
@jacobrosecrants
I’m aware of this awful situation, shared by my constituent Dr. Landis. Nobody seems to know where Dr. Abedini is being held, tho he has contacted family. Rep. Deck reached out to Rep. Cole & Sen. Lankford’s office is looped in. Here to be a squeaky wheel & help however I can.
[screenshot of Prof. Landis' tweet about Dr. Abedini being seized by ICE]
8:23 PM • Nov 24, 2025 • 1,351 Views](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2wyqv44lm72vasmddeqjgy72/bafkreiad7pgvpg5ds7s3rjys6u2psnfdiwhouicddgt5qdr2f4qhxax63y@jpeg)
November 25, 2025 at 12:41 PM
The grossly illegal disappearings continue. Gestapo. Period.
So. The price of our Argonauts season tickets has gone UP a hair to pay for 3 FEWER games. This is NOT because BMO Field is a World Cup venue. It's because the CLUB opted to make those 3 games away games.
Am I renewing?
To watch rougeless Johnstonball?
Dunno yet.
My daughter votes yes.
Am I renewing?
To watch rougeless Johnstonball?
Dunno yet.
My daughter votes yes.
November 25, 2025 at 2:10 AM
So. The price of our Argonauts season tickets has gone UP a hair to pay for 3 FEWER games. This is NOT because BMO Field is a World Cup venue. It's because the CLUB opted to make those 3 games away games.
Am I renewing?
To watch rougeless Johnstonball?
Dunno yet.
My daughter votes yes.
Am I renewing?
To watch rougeless Johnstonball?
Dunno yet.
My daughter votes yes.
Reposted by James Fraser (University of Guelph)
It is always fascinating to have the opportunity to explore the collection at the National Football Museum and to reflect on the diverse cultural significance of the game. Pictures by @icshc.bsky.social FIFA Master Module Coordinator, James Panter. #sportshistory #footballhistory #FIFAMaster
November 24, 2025 at 4:28 PM
It is always fascinating to have the opportunity to explore the collection at the National Football Museum and to reflect on the diverse cultural significance of the game. Pictures by @icshc.bsky.social FIFA Master Module Coordinator, James Panter. #sportshistory #footballhistory #FIFAMaster
Reposted by James Fraser (University of Guelph)
I don't think (successive) governments who ignore the financial crisis in universities really realise what it will look like in cities, including northern cities like mine, if the higher education sector collapses. Newcastle's economy is *really fucking really* propped up by students
i: Reeves to unveil £600m raid on foreign student
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
November 23, 2025 at 10:52 PM
I don't think (successive) governments who ignore the financial crisis in universities really realise what it will look like in cities, including northern cities like mine, if the higher education sector collapses. Newcastle's economy is *really fucking really* propped up by students
Anybody else feel seen?
Twitter accounts are based in Russia. BlueSky accounts are based in homes with, frankly, too many books, plants, obsolete cables, and pieces of rustic pottery, that could do with a bit of a tidying up, to be honest.
November 24, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Anybody else feel seen?
A magnificent protest.
(Although I'm a bit confused about HD selling ice scrapers in southern California.)
(Although I'm a bit confused about HD selling ice scrapers in southern California.)
In Monrovia, California, protesters are purchasing 17¢ ICE scrapers from Home Depot and immediately returning them to create long lines and slow down the entire store. Their aim is to disrupt sales and convey a message opposing ICE raids occurring in their neighborhood.
November 23, 2025 at 9:45 PM
A magnificent protest.
(Although I'm a bit confused about HD selling ice scrapers in southern California.)
(Although I'm a bit confused about HD selling ice scrapers in southern California.)
What a shock.
And you just know that billionaires are ploughing billions into supporting the GOP because it helps ordinary people.
And you just know that billionaires are ploughing billions into supporting the GOP because it helps ordinary people.
We spent a year investigating billionaires for @washingtonpost.com.
We found: the wealthiest 100 Americans gave $1.1 billion to influence the 2024 elections — 140x more than they did in 2000. And almost all of that giving boosted Republicans.
washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
We found: the wealthiest 100 Americans gave $1.1 billion to influence the 2024 elections — 140x more than they did in 2000. And almost all of that giving boosted Republicans.
washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
November 23, 2025 at 2:20 AM
What a shock.
And you just know that billionaires are ploughing billions into supporting the GOP because it helps ordinary people.
And you just know that billionaires are ploughing billions into supporting the GOP because it helps ordinary people.
My favourite thing about NCAA football - as someone who thinks a great deal about Canadian football and its issues - is how a 70-7 result cautions us against overvaluing the "quality of the on-field product" among the factors that drive attendance in top-level sport.
November 23, 2025 at 12:16 AM
My favourite thing about NCAA football - as someone who thinks a great deal about Canadian football and its issues - is how a 70-7 result cautions us against overvaluing the "quality of the on-field product" among the factors that drive attendance in top-level sport.
Ireland down to 11 men against South Africa by half time. I've never seen anything like this. I'm sure it's just a coincidence that SA went crying to World Rugby this week about referees.
November 22, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Ireland down to 11 men against South Africa by half time. I've never seen anything like this. I'm sure it's just a coincidence that SA went crying to World Rugby this week about referees.
Reposted by James Fraser (University of Guelph)
Alan McDougall's new book "Dreams and Songs to Sing" has been selected as one of the Sports Books of the Year by the Financial Times!
www.uoguelph.ca/arts/history...
www.uoguelph.ca/arts/history...
November 21, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Alan McDougall's new book "Dreams and Songs to Sing" has been selected as one of the Sports Books of the Year by the Financial Times!
www.uoguelph.ca/arts/history...
www.uoguelph.ca/arts/history...
He and Pinball Clemons were teammates, and it wouldn't be a huge shock if Pinball regards him as a potential head coach.
Special teams coordinator, DL coach Demetrious Maxie not returning to Edmonton Elks: report
3downnation.com/2025/11/21/s...
#CFL #GoElks #AlwaysEdmonton
3downnation.com/2025/11/21/s...
#CFL #GoElks #AlwaysEdmonton
November 21, 2025 at 8:16 PM
He and Pinball Clemons were teammates, and it wouldn't be a huge shock if Pinball regards him as a potential head coach.
Oh, I see. The US military must violate the Constitution they've sworn to defend if ordered to do so by the president, because the Constitution designates presidents Commander-in-Chief, and refusing to violate the Constitution would be violating the Constitution.
November 21, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Oh, I see. The US military must violate the Constitution they've sworn to defend if ordered to do so by the president, because the Constitution designates presidents Commander-in-Chief, and refusing to violate the Constitution would be violating the Constitution.
Apparently not all US statespersons these days are bloodthirsty lunatics.
The President of the United States just called for my arrest and execution.
In these moments, fear is contagious, but so is courage:
In these moments, fear is contagious, but so is courage:
November 20, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Apparently not all US statespersons these days are bloodthirsty lunatics.
Reposted by James Fraser (University of Guelph)
I will never forget having to edit Jamal’s final, posthumous piece for the Washington Post, after he was murdered.
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
Opinion | Jamal Khashoggi: What the Arab world needs most is free expression
The Arab world needs a modern version of the old transnational media so citizens can be informed about global events.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:48 PM
I will never forget having to edit Jamal’s final, posthumous piece for the Washington Post, after he was murdered.
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...