Red Blacks Select Three Dinos

In the 2013 CFL expansion draft, the Ottawa Red Blacks selected three former Calgary Dinos. Linebacker Jordan Verdone, Center Alex Krausnick-Groh and Fullback James Green. The Red Blacks selected 16 Canadian players in the draft yesterday, with hopes that this group of talented players would be the foundation of their new franchise. 

Russ Jackson's Dinos

When Dinos quarterback Andrew Buckley received the prestigious Russ Jackson Award in Quebec City, he became the third winner since the award’s inception from the University of Calgary.

The award goes to the players who combines athletics, academics, community service and citizenship and is named after Canadian Football Hall of Fame quarterback Russ Jackson.

The Russ Jackson Award was instituted in 1986, in 1987 Elio Geremia of the University of Calgary was the recipient. At the time Elio was the school’s all-time leading rusher and an integral part of the Dinos backfield with fullback Tony Spoletini. Elio joined the Dinos from St. Francis High School and was a four time Canada West all-star (1984-87), a first team Canadian Interuniversity Sport all-Canadian in 1985 and a second team all-Canadian in 1986 and 1987. Elio was a member of the 1983 and 1985 Vanier Cup Championship teams.

Off the field Elio spent considerable time in the community working with troubled youth, he was also active helping coach youth football teams. Geremia graduated with an Education degree from the University of Calgary. He is still involved with youth today, being employed by the Calgary Separate School Board as a teacher.

Quarterback Lincoln Blumell became the second University of Calgary player to capture the Russ Jackson Award in 2002.  Lincoln was the team nominee for the Hec Crighton Trophy in 2002 and the Conference nominee for the Russ Jackson Award on two occasions, winning in 2002. Lincoln was a CIS Academic All-Canadian during his playing days with the Dinos.

A consummate student-athlete Lincoln excelled in the classroom, on the field and in the community. He was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints before and after his Mission. In addition Lincoln worked with numerous youth groups, taking a full load of courses despite being married with a young family. He also was involved on campus with the Students Athletic Council. In his final years with the Dinos, Lincoln was completing his Masters Degree in Religious Studies. Lincoln attained his PhD. in religious studies from the University of Toronto and is now an Assistant Professor at Brigham Young University.

Andrew Buckley follows in the shoes of Elio and Lincoln when it comes to academics, athletics, community service and citizenship, making his choice as the 2013 recipient of the Russ Jackson Award an easy one.

Andrew holds a resume that shows that hard work is what he is all about. A two time Academic All-Canadian, a Conference all-star at quarterback, dedication to community and charity projects, make Andrew the ideal recipient of the Russ Jackson. His academic and athletic accomplishments have been well documented but what is not known is his outstanding community service record.

Despite his academic and athletic schedules that most would find overwhelming,  Andrew has found time to work with Alzheimer’s patients during the football season. In 2011 he went to Guatemala to build 500 efficient wood burning stoves for impoverished families with the Hearts & Hands Foundation. The following year he helped organize a football camp for underprivileged and foster children of Sudanese decent in the Calgary area. 

                                                                                                  

Andrew hopes to pursue a medical career after he graduates from the Faculty of Kinesiology and follow in his parent’s footsteps. His father, Richard Buckley is the chief trauma surgeon at Foothills Hospital, while his mother is a doctor with the Student Health Services at the University of Calgary.

Andrew was also recognized as an Academic All-American, an honor bestowed upon very few players in the history of the CIS.

The University of Calgary Dinos football family is proud of the on and off field accomplishments of this outstanding trio of individuals.

SportsEh! says Dinos top spot for recruits

Sports website SportsEh! recently post an article, outlining the success of the U of C program and the popular destination it has become the nations top recruits. Follow the link below to read the whole article.

go-west-young-recruit-u-of-c-dinos-stake-claim-as-top-football-program

Buckley named to Capital One Academic All-America® national team

CALGARY – Fresh off leading his team to a Vanier Cup appearance, University of Calgary Dinos pivot Andrew Buckley earned another piece of hardware for his trophy case Monday.

Buckley, a third-year kinesiology student, is the quarterback on the Capital One College Division Academic All-America® football team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). The team is made of up student-athletes from CIS, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and two-year junior colleges in the United States.

The honour follows Buckley’s selection as the recipient of the CIS Russ Jackson Award, which he received prior to the Vanier Cup in Quebec City.

On the field, the graduate of Calgary's Rundle College took over as the team's starting quarterback late in the season opener after standout Eric Dzwilewski broke his foot and the Dinos barely skipped a beat with Buckley at the controls, cruising to their first-ever 8-0 record. The 6-foot, 193-pound pivot went on to pass for 2,184 yards and 12 touchdowns in eight contests and also added four rushing majors en route to a selection as a conference all-star.

In the national championship game, Buckley was the Dinos’ leading rusher with 82 yards on eight carries while completing 19 of 29 passes for 247 yards and a touchdown as the Dinos fell 25-14 to the Laval Rouge et Or. A week earlier in the Mitchell Bowl against No. 1 Western, Buckley threw for 211 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the Dinos shocked the top-ranked Mustangs 44-3 to advance to the Vanier Cup.

In the classroom, Buckley is a two-time Academic All-Canadian with a career grade point average of 3.93 in kinesiology and has plans to follow in his father's footsteps and enter medical school following his undergraduate work. He has received numerous academic awards since he arrived on the U of C campus, including a University of Calgary President's Admission Scholarship and Undergraduate Merit Award. He is actively involved in many research projects, most recently making a presentation as part of the Faculty of Kinesiology's Markin Undergraduate Student Research Program in October 2013 – right in the middle of football season.

Buckley is also heavily involved in the community. In 2011, he joined a group that travelled to Guatemala to build 500 efficient wood-burning stoves for impoverished families with the Hearts and Hands Foundation. The following year, he led the organization of a Dinos football camp for underprivileged and foster children of Sudanese decent in the Calgary area. He also remains actively involved volunteering for various senior citizens' organizations, and is a home care volunteer with Alberta Health Services, working with two Alzheimer's patients for 90 minutes per week.

"Stepping in for Eric Dzwilewski, Andrew has led the Dinos offence without missing a beat," said Calgary head coach Blake Nill. "He is a tremendous leader and has had an amazing year given the circumstances. Andrew exemplifies the true meaning of the Russ Jackson Award with his football skills, his academic success, and most impressively, his involvement in the community."

FIRST TEAM

Pos.    Name                                     School                                       Yr.   Hometown               GPA    Major

QB      Andrew Buckley                   Calgary                                      Jr.    Calgary, Alberta       3.93    Kinesiology

WR      Jon Hilliger                           Ottawa                                       Sr.   Van Nuys, Calif.       3.63    Accounting

WR      Matt Powers                          Lindsey Wilson                        Sr.   Harrogate, Tenn.     3.75    Psychophysiology

TE       Andrew Friederich (1)         Saint Ambrose                         Sr.   Davenport, Iowa      3.67    Chemistry

RB       Jon Halvorson (2)                Morningside                             Jr.    Sioux Falls, S.D.      3.79    Business Administration

RB      Lamont Wims (1)                Robert Morris (Ill.)                  Jr.   Frederick, Md.         3.79    Accounting

OL       Laurent Duvernay-Tardif   Mcgill                                         Sr.   St. Hilaire, Quebec  3.92    Medicine

OL       Tyler Ford                              Peru State                                 Jr.    Lincoln, Neb.            3.65    Criminal Justice-Administration

OL       Brett Guenther                      St. Francis (Ind.)                       Sr.   Westfield, Ind.          3.82    Elementary Education

OL       Heath Hewitt                         Mcpherson                                Sr.   Sterling, Kan.            3.92    Biology/Education

OL       Joe Vetrovsky                       Doane                                        Sr.   McCook, Neb.          3.74    K-12 Special Education

K         Aaron Lorraine (1)               Nebraska Wesleyan               Sr.   Omaha, Neb.            3.82    Business Administration

DB      Matt Broeckelman (2)         Kansas Wesleyan                   Sr.   Mankato, Kan.          3.90    Pre-Physical Therapy

DB      Sederick Dunbar                 Siena Heights                          Sr.   Ferndale, Mich.        3.76    Criminal Justice

DB      Philip Emminger (2)           Robert Morris (Ill.)                    Jr.    Canton, Mich.           3.91    Accounting

DB      Seth Wardyn (1)                   Nebraska Wesleyan               Jr.    Grand Island, Neb.  3.81    Biology

LB       Brock Bullock                       Apprentice School                   Sr.   Fredericksburg, Va. 3.90    Electrician

LB       Zach Dolph                           Saint Xavier                              Sr.   Crest Hill, Ill.             3.63    Finance/Mathematics

LB       Brady Harwell                      Kansas Wesleyan                   Sr.   Vega, Texas             3.50    Athletic Training/Pre-Physical Therapy

DL       Michele Canali                     Menlo                                         Sr.   Parma, Italy              3.87    Business Management

DL       Matt Carden (2)                    St. Francis (In)                          Sr.   Wakarusa, Ind.         3.89    Secondary Education/Math

DL       Greg Hayward (2)                Saint Xavier                              Jr.    Oak Lawn, Ill.            3.80    Criminal Justice/Sociology

DL       Nicholas Norton                   Webber International              Sr.   Holt, Mich.                 4.00    Finance & Traditional MBA

P         Jordan Sitzmann                 Morningside                             Sr.   Le Mars, Iowa           3.79    Business Administration

Academic All-American of the Year:  Lamont Wims, Robert Morris (Ill.)

(1)     Capital One Academic All-America® College Division 1st team in 2012

(2)     Capital One Academic All-America® College Division 2nd team in 2012

Strength Down the Middle

When third year offensive center Sean McEwen was recoginzed as an All-Canadian two weeks ago,  he joined a proud tradition of excellence at the Center position for the University of Calgary Dinos. There have been nine All-Canadian Centers in the history of Dinos Football, with the first coming in 1971.

Wayne Conrad became the first Dino to earn All-Canadian status at Center in 1971. Conrad went on to a successful CFL career and earn All-Star status in 1975 as a pro. He played from 1972-1977 with Montreal.

Rob Ferguson was an All-Canadian center in 1977 for the Dinos. Following graduation he has been employed with the Government of Canada in the citizenship and immigration department. His father, Les Ferguson, was one of the founders of the Calgary Bantam Football Association and a former Calgary Booster Club Sportsman of the Year. 

Cam Hodgson earned All-Canadian honours in the middle of the offensive line for the 1984 Dinos. Cam is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Edge School, a private school located just outside of Calgary. Cam was a starting member on the 1983 and 1985 Vanier Cup Championship teams that were inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame. 

Paul Kerber earned All-Canadian status in 1988 for the Dinos. He was a member of a special group that earned three All-Canadian spots, this group also featured guard Paul Carson and tackle Cam Sackschewsky. Paul has coached many future Dinos in his role as a local high school coach.

Barkley Andersen became the fifth offensive center to garner all-Canadian recognition as a Dinos in 1998. He started at center as a sophomore on the Calgary’s last National Championship team in 1995. Personally having his best season in 1998, when he received this honor. Barkley is currently employed in the oil and gas industry in Calgary.

Evan Haney a member of the 2004 Dinos earned a CIS second team All-Canadian selection. A five year starter Evan received his PhD. in Biochemistry from the University of Calgary. He is now a post-doctoral fellow at UBC. Evan was also an Academic All-Canadian during his tenure at the University of Calgary.

Tim O’Neill was a first team All-Canadian Center in 2007 for the Dinos. He has followed this up with a successful professional career at Center in the CFL. He was the starting Center this season for the Hamilton Tiger Cats. Tim earned a Grey Cup ring with the Calgary Stampeders in 2008 and holds a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Calgary.

Quinn McCaughan was twice named an All-Canadian while playing Center for the Dinos. A five year starter at U of C, Quinn was named an All- Canadian in 2011 and 2012. He graduated in the spring of 2013 with an Arts Degree.

Sean McEwen joined the Dinos from Notre Dame High School in Calgary in 2011. By the second game of the 2011 season, Sean was starting at guard for the Dinos. His impressive rookie campaign, lead to his being the Dinos nominee for the Peter Gorman Trophy in 2011. Sean played the 2012 season at guard and was the only returning starter along the offensive line returning to the Dinos in 2013. New Offensive Line coach Steve Buratto thought it was best to move Sean to Center, the 2013 season proved that was a great decision. Sean was a conference All-Star, All-Canadian and the team’s nominee for CanWest Lineman of the Year. He was a great offensive leader for the young Dinos in 2013 and will push the group to come back better in 2014.

The success of the Calgary Dinos over the years can be attributed to many factors. After looking at this group, one would have to say strength down the middle, has been a big part of it.

A RUSHING LEGACY

What many people do not know is that Mercer Timmis has outstanding football ancestry. His late great-grandfather Brian Timmis is member of the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame and a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in Hamilton.

Brian Timmis played for the Hamilton Tigers in an era when many players played on both sides of the football; he was a dominant fullback and defensive lineman. During his time in Hamilton the Tigers captured three Grey Cups (1928, 1929 and 1932). Brian followed his playing days by joining the coaching ranks, in 1943 he lead the Flying Wildcats to a Grey Cup Victory. To honor the contribution Brain Timmis made to football in Hamilton, the field adjacent to Ivor Wynn Stadium is named after him.  

Mercer’s grand-father also named Brian Timmis played in the Canadian Football League for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1953 as a running back. Prior to his time in the pros he attended McMaster and Queen’s Universities playing for their football teams. Brian is now 84 years old and currently lives in Burlington, Ontario. He is now a proud grandfather who follows Mercer’s games on the computer.

“I am definitely aware of my great grandfather’s accomplishments and also that of my grandfather,” states Mercer who is named after his great-grandfather.

Mercer’s father, Brian Timmis played High School football in Burlington but did not play the game at the university level. Aside from football, he was an accomplished tennis player. While Mercer’s Mother Jennifer was a competitive ski racer and runner. So athletics were skill strong in the genes. “Football skipped a generation in our family,” jokes Mercer when asked about his father’s football accomplishments.

A second year Haskayne School of Business student Mercer rushed for 1157 yards (4^th in school history) this season which was a mere 26 yards short of Anthony Woodson’s 1183 (2^nd most) set in 2007. Mercer did run his way into the school and conference record books with 19 total touchdowns in 2013. His performance on the field this year earned him 2013 Canada West Most Outstanding Player Award, a Conference all-star selection and he is a finalist for the Hec Crighton Trophy.

“I loved the program and wanted to play for Coach Nill,” stated Timmis who felt both the football and academic programs were the right fit for him to make the move to Calgary after spending two seasons at a prep school in Buffalo, NY,

Mercer now hopes to lead his team to victory this weekend over the Western Mustangs, in the Mitchell Bowl, so the Dinos could move on to the Vanier Cup in Quebec City.

This weekend’s game will pit Mercer against, fellow Hec Crighton Nominee, Western QB Will Finch. Mercer and Will were teammates growing up in the Burlington Stampeders Minor Football Program.

For more information on Brian Timmis visit the following link:
Canadian Sports Hall of Fame: Brian Timmis 

HARD EARNED 3

Dinos Cornerback Adam Laurensse has played for four teams in four years, lucky for the Dinos he’ll be wearing the red and gold for the next four years.

After graduating from Bev Facey High School in Edmonton, Adam headed to the Vancouver Island Raiders of the British Columbia Football Conference. As a Raider he gained all-star and all-Canadian status by leading the country in interceptions.

In 2012 Adam moved back to Edmonton and suited up for the Edmonton Wildcats of the PFC. Adam once again lead the nation in interceptions and was named a PFC all star and All-Canadian..

In the winter of 2013, Adam Decided his junior days were over and it was time to attend university. The success he enjoyed in the junior ranks lead to him being one of the most recruited players of the 2013 recruiting class. He was courted by every school in Canada West. Adam chose to become a Dino and was able to have an immediate impact on the field this season. “I came here (Calgary) because of the reputation, the good coaching and it was a great academic opportunity,” states graduate of Bev Facey High School in Sherwood Park.

The coaching staff could not be happier Laurensse decided to become a Dino. “Adam is very coachable, works his tail off, and has a great understanding of the game,” states Defensive Secondary Coach Marcello Rapini was impressed with Laurensse’s skill sets immediately. “Between his film and what we saw at our December workout, we knew immediately we wanted him,” Rapini stated.

The first year Arts student gained a starting spot at cornerback in training camp and recorded 22 solo tackles and eight assisted tackles in regular season action. In addition Laurensse had four interceptions, five knockdowns and a quarterback sacks to garner Canada West all-star honours in 2013. Thus Adam has the unique distinction of being an all-star in three different leagues for three different teams in three consecutive seasons.

Adam’s fine play has continued in the post-season as he recorded an interception against the University of Manitoba Bisons in the Hardy Cup. In two post-season contests he has chipped in with seven solo tackles.

Adam and teammates are hoping to advance the Vanier Cup game in Quebec City, by defeating the Western Mustangs, this Saturday Afternoon.