Grandma Rush Bobblehead Night Friday, February 27
February 24, 2015 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release
Edmonton, AB-----Yes, Grandma Rush has a real name. She just prefers that everybody from youngest fan to veteran player call her Grandma Rush.
With the Edmonton Rush in the midst of their 10th anniversary season, it's only fitting that they honor their greatest fan. To do so, the Rush will be selling Grandma Rush bobblehead dolls to fans entering Rexall Place for Friday's game when the Rush battle the Toronto Rock with proceeds being donated to Grandma Rush's charity of choice Angels Anonymous.
Grandma's picture adorns the ticket face for the game and it will be the second time she's been on the field for a ceremonial faceoff. The first occasion was also for a Rush-Rock encounter, though back then, Brodie Merrill was the Rush's captain taking the draw.
"I turned to Brodie and said "ËGood luck.' Then I shook the Toronto captain's hand and said "ËWe're going to kick your ass.' You should have seen the look on his face," Grandma said with a laugh.
This time around, however, Merrill will be wearing the Rock colors after moving on in trade from the Rush in 2012 and then joining his hometown Toronto team this past off-season.
"If I get the chance with Brodie, I'll tell him good luck with his twin boys, but we're still going to kick his ass."
Grandma is a Day 1 fan, been there since the Rush were unveiled and every game since. She's seen the team go winless at home through its first season right through to last season's historic winning streak. It's been quite a ride, and it's only the first few twists and turns.
"I love people, I love getting out and being entertained, and I love seeing everybody cheering for the Rush," said Grandma (who's really Joyce Souka, but keep that quiet).
"People ask me how old I am and I never tell them. I just say I was born in 1931, some days I'm 10 and some days I'm 100. But I'll be coming to the Rush games till I'm a goner."
Grandma's always at the ready to lead the cheering, dance in the aisles, and pose for pictures with her sign which touts "Go Rush Go" as well as the more colorful catchphrase of
"Grandma Says The Rush Kick Ass."
It was her son-in-law that got her hooked on the Rush from the team's inaugural game which eventually led to a shirt and the first edition of her now-famous sign. With fans wanting to see more of Grandma at the games, Rush owner Bruce Urban stepped in and paid for the slick sign that she carries today. She's got her own jersey too, not mention a legion of fans that can't wait to catch sight of her on the jumbo screen over top of Crystal Glass Field.
She has been, well, a surrogate grandmother of sorts to the players. While she collects hugs from them, most often at the post-game autograph sessions, Grandma repays the love by gathering up all the media articles on the players and making sure that they are able to send them home.
"I get them laminated. I get a pretty good deal from the girl at Staples," said Grandma, whose nephew Tyler Heavenor was a member of the Rush in the first season of the club's existence.
"Kyle Rubisch told me that the players really appreciate it, and Chris Corbeil said I don't know how much it means to them and their families."
Like every great Grandma, she doesn't play favorite, though to this day there's a special place in her heart for former Rush captain turned assistant coach Jimmy Quinlan.
"They're all my grandsons. I've adopted them all," she said.
National Lacrosse League Stories from February 24, 2015
- Jamieson Delivers in the Clutch - Rochester Knighthawks
- Grandma Rush Bobblehead Night Friday, February 27 - Edmonton Rush
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