SUN STAR JOINS DINOS

The University of Calgary football Dinos confirmed defensive back Brennan Van Nistelrooy has signed a Canadian Interuniversity Letter of Intent and attend the University of Calgary this coming fall. Van Nistelrooy was recruited by all the schools in Canada West as well as McMaster and Mount Allison Universities and made is decision to Calgary in January 2016.

Van Nistelrooy brings an impressive of credentials with him accumulated while playing four seasons for the Okanagan Sun of British Columbia Football Conference. He was a four time BCFC all-star defensive back and was named the BCFC’s top defensive back for three seasons (2013, 2014 and 2015). This past year he was named BCFC Defensive Most Valuable Player as well as the Conference Special Teams Player of the Year. As well as playing defensive back Brennan can also punt. He was the Conference all-star punter in 2015 helping the Sun reach the Canadian Junior Football League final where they lost a close game to the Saskatoon Hilltops. He becomes the second member of the Sun to join the Dinos, following quarterback Josiah Joseph who currently attending classes at the University of Calgary.

On the national level, Van Nistelrooy was a Canadian Junior Football League all-star defensive back for three seasons (2103, 2014, and 2015) and was a finalist for the CJFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2015.

“Brennan is a mature physical player with outstanding football instincts. He was a leader on a very successful team and we look for him to contribute immediately,” states Head Coach Wayne Harris.

The 6’, 195 lbs. Van Nistelrooy is a native of Lethbridge, AB., and attended Catholic Central High School where he was coached by former University of Calgary linebacker Mike Nightengale. Van Nistelrooy spent one year at the University of Alberta after graduation from High School.

“Calgary is close to home for me and I like the winning attitude with the Dinos. When I left the Okanagan Sun we had a close knit family atmosphere, and on my recruiting visit saw the same atmosphere existed with the Dinos,” Van Nistelrooy stated.

Van Nistelrooy was also impressed with secondary coach Marcello Rapini. “Marcello is a great coach and look forward to playing for him,” states Van Nistelrooy who will attend the Canadian Football League regional combine later this year in Edmonton.

Brenan is the son of Henry and Wendy Van Nistelrooy of Lethbridge.

CALGARY HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER OF THE YEAR JOINS DINOS

The University of Calgary Dinos have landed one the premier graduating High School receivers. Calgary High School Player of the Year, Kelton Bailey, has signed a Canadian Interuniversity Sport Letter of Intent with the team.

The  6’1”, 195 lbs.  receiver is the fifth player from the Henry Wisewood Warriors to join the Dinos this season from Cody Ehrmann’s team.

Bailey brings an impressive list of achievements from his two year High School career with the Warriors and moving to Calgary from Peace River, AB. He was the recipient of the Division I Stan Schwartz Heart of a Champion Award that goes to the player combining for academics, leadership, and athleticism. Kelton also won the Harry Hood Memorial Award for the player combining ability, sportsmanship, academics, citizenship, and leadership sponsored by the Calgary Booster Club in Division I Senior High School football.  Kelton was a member of the 2014 Alberta Provincial Team and this summer will be one of two graduating Calgary High School players chosen to participate in the Montana High School Shrine game in July 2016.

“Kelton is one of the premier graduating High School receivers not only in the province, but Canada. He has great speed, plays physical and with confidence,” states University of Calgary offensive coordinator Ryan Sheahan. “You can tell he is team leader on and off the field and he will be a versatile addition to our offense,” Sheahan states.

“Calgary is close to home and that was a big factor. The school has a great academic program I am interested in, I liked the family atmosphere around the program and have friends on the team and in Calgary,” stated Bailey who will enrol in the Faculty of Kinesiology.

Bailey was recruited by many CIS schools but narrowing the decision to McMaster, UBC, and Calgary before deciding on the Dinos over the Christmas break.

Kelton is the son of Hugh and Tanna Bailey of Peace River, AB.

CHAMPION RECEIVER JOINS DINOS

The University of Calgary Dinos confirmed that receiver Brandon MacIssac has signed a Canadian Interuniversity Sport Letter of Intent to attend the University of Calgary in September 2016.

The 6’3”, 195 lbs MacIssac was a starter on the Calgary and Alberta 4A Championship St. Francis Browns team this past fall. Brandon joins fellow St. Francis graduate, offensive lineman Peter Nicastro,  becoming the second member of the 2015 Browns to commit to the Dinos.

He is a product of the Hilltoppers having played Midget and Bantam for them and earned the Aaron Niedergesaess Memorial Award for displaying the heart of the champion and was also nominated to receive the Hilltoppers Midget Scholarship.

“Calgary is my hometown with my family. The University of Calgary is a great school and they have a good football program,” states MacIssac who will enrol in the Faculty of Sciences.

“Brandon is an aggressive blocker with good hands and has a large frame,” states University of Calgary offensive coordinator Ryan Sheahan.

Brandon is the son of Joe and Lori MacIssac of Calgary.

DINOS ADD SOUTH DELTA LINEBACKER

The University of Calgary Dinos have secured another player from strong South Delta Sun Devils of South Delta, BC.

Outside linebacker Charlie Moore has signed a Canadian Interuniversity Sport Letter of Intent to attend the University of Calgary for the 2016 football season. The 6’3”, 195 lbs. Moore becomes the third member from Coach Ray Moon’s Sun Devils joining slotback Jack McDonald and linebacker Blake Gau who saw action in 2015 as pure freshmen. McDonald, Gau and Moore were all members of the British Columbia 3A Provincial Championship team in 2014 under Coach Moon.

“Calgary was close to home (South Delta). I felt at home during my visit there in December and liked the family atmosphere. It is a great fit academically. I also have a couple of friends from High School (Jack McDonald and Blake Gau) on the team,” states Moore who plans to enrol in the Haskayne School of Business.

Moore was heavily recruited by numerous CIS schools. He had recruiting visits to Western, Guelph, Simon Fraser and Carleton and decided on the Dinos just after the New Year and spoke with UBC. In addition to playing linebacker in High School he also saw action as an inside receiver.

Charlie was a Conference all-star in 2014 but suffered a shoulder injury in 2015 that limited the number of games he played. Moore would have been on the BC Provincial team if he were not injured.  

“Charlie is an outstanding linebacker from an outstanding program at South Delta. He has excellent instincts for the ball,” states University of Calgary Head Coach Wayne Harris. “I look forward to working with him,” Harris added.

Moore is the son of Chris and Jen Moore.

BIG BACK FROM SASK JOINS DINOS

The University of Calgary football Dinos have recruited their first player in the history of their program from Yorkton, SK. Fullback Caleb Bymak has informed the school he will attend the University of Calgary, and has signed a Canadian Interuniversity Sport Letter of Intent.

The 6’2”, 215 lbs. Bymak played both fullback and linebacker for Yorkton Regional High School Raiders the past three years for Coach Robbie Sharpe.

Caleb was a member of the Saskatchewan team that competed in the Canada Cup tournament in Quebec in July 2015 playing both linebacker and defensive end but will be utilized on the offensive side of the football with the Dinos.

“Caleb is am athletic physical player who can play on either side of the football. He will be used on offense and we look forward having him fit in to our system with his physical style of play,” states University of Calgary offensive coordinator Ryan Sheahan.

Caleb came to Calgary for a recruitment visit in early November 2015 and liked what he saw with the program.

“I liked the professionalism and atmosphere with the program and felt I was wanted immediately. In addition I like the offensive scheme they (Calgary) run. I also have family there and know the city,” states Bymak who will enrol in the Faculty of Kinesiology this coming fall.

In addition to excelling in football, Caleb is an outstanding amateur baseball player and was a provincial bronze medalist in the quadrathon (100 metres, 800 metres, long jump and shot put). He was a member of Canada’s team that competed in the Senior Little League World Series in Maine in August 2014 after being added by the Regina team after they won the Canadian title. He spent this past summer playing for the Parkland Midget AAA Express.  He also played baseball for Team Saskatchewan attending camps in both Florida and Arizona.

Caleb visited both the Universities of Saskatchewan and Regina in addition to speaking with the University of Manitoba before deciding on Calgary.

He is the son of Stefan and Crystal Bymak.