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.