WE MEET AGAIN, MY OLD FRIEND

The University of Calgary Dinos and the Laval Rouge et Or have reached an agreement to play their 2014 pre season game at Peps Stadium in Quebec City. The game is likely to be played on Saturday, August 30th. This game will mark the Dinos return to site where they're season both began and ended in 2013. Unfortunately both contests where Laval victories, but the experience gained by the Dinos in those contests will hopefully translate into great on field success in 2014. 

 

Calgary and Laval, will once again join together on the practice field before stepping in front of large crowd at Peps for the exhibition showdown. Last season, the opportunity to practice with the defending Vanier Cup Champions, was invaluable for the young Dinos squad. The high level at which the Rouge et Or practiced, set the bar for the rest of the Dinos season. 

The trip to Laval also serves as a conclusion to training camp by forcing the players to compete at such a high level. This cross country voyage also proved to be a great team building experience for the Dinos in 2013. The whole team packed into an aging residence, politely nicknamed "Alcatraz", allowed the squad to form bonds that translated into a tight knit group that found great success on the field over the next twelve weeks.

The hope of the staff of the Dinos, is that this experience once again lays the ground work for great success in 2014. Only this time being able to depart "La Belle Province" with a victory.

 

DOBKO SIGNS FREE AGENT CONTRACT WITH MONTREAL ALOUETTES:

Graduating receiver CHRIS DOBKO has signed a free agent contract with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. After going undrafted last season Dobko returned to the Dinos to complete his eligibility, determined to get a shot at professional football. “Over the past year, Chris has really matured. He was a talented player, but being snubbed by the CFL, lit a fire in him. Chris took his preparation to a new level this year and it showed in his performance on the field and his leadership in the locker room.” Declared Coach Blake Nill.

The 6’, 200 lbs. native of St. Albert, AB., had fabulous senior season earning Conference all-star recognition for a third consecutive season. He became the school’s all-time leading receiver thanks to 33 receptions in Conference play winding up with 155 career receptions. His 33 receptions were for 526 yards for an average of 15.9 per catch and 87.7 yards per game.

The 23 year-old Dobko is in his final year of Arts courses at the University of Calgary. During his time as a Dinos, Chris had the distinction of playing for five Canada West Championship teams, as well as competing in three Vanier Cups.

Chris joined the Dinos in 2009 after spending one year with the Edmonton Wildcats of the Prairie Junior Football Conference. In his high school days he was Most Valuable Player in the Edmonton Metro League in Grade 12.

Dobko will have no shortage of former teammates when he attends the Alouettes camp. No fewer than six former Dinos are with the Alouettes, safety Mike Edem, running back Steven Lumbala, defensive end Mike Klassen, long snapper Jared Zaleski, corner Jamal Knowles, and defensive linemen Josh Symons.

UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY PLAYER TO COMPETE FOR CANADA AT WORLD UNDER 19 CHAMPIONSHIPS:

University of Calgary guard Ryan Sceviour will continue to compete in football activities in January 2014. The graduate of Bowness High School in Calgary will play for Canada when they face the United States in a game at Maverick Stadium at the University of Texas, Arlington on February 7-8, 2014.

The 60 player roster was selected from close to 500 players who took part in regional identification camps across Canada. These top prospects will take on USA Football’s U19 squad in Texas, competing for one of 45 spots to represent Canada at the 2014 U19 (19-and-under) World Championship in Kuwait.

Canada and Team USA have met in the first two IFAF U19 (19-and-under) World Championship gold medal games with Canada avenging a 2009 loss in 2012 to capture gold. With the record split, the 2014 International Bowl series will re-ignite the Canada-USA rivalry as it builds towards the summer.

The International Bowl series features a number of Canada-USA rivalry games which in addition to a Junior National Team showdown includes the Football Canada Cup (U18) National Team against USA Football’s U18 National Team. Canada’s Junior National Team alumni include Byron Archambault (U. Montreal), former Dino Linden Gaydosh (Carolina Panthers), Pierre Lavertu (U. Laval), former Dino Kirby Fabien (BC Lions), Will Finch (Western U.), former Dino Steven Lumbala (Montreal Alouettes), Jeremi Roch (U. Sherbrooke), Matt Sewell (McMaster U.), Mercer Timmis (U. Calgary) and Jake Thomas (Winnipeg Blue Bombers).

The 6’4”, 295 lbs. Sceviour dressed for the Dinos first two Conference games in 2014, starting one, before suffering a knee injury in practice in week three and was one of the top recruits to join the Dinos in 2013.

Both Ryan’s parents are former University of Calgary athletes. His mother Cheryl (Curda) was a starter on the 1989 National Championship women’s volleyball team while his father, Todd, spent five seasons with the Dinos hockey team.