With the Johnny Mark era of
kicking and punting over, the University of Calgary hopes they have found his
replacement.
Head Coach Wayne Harris confirmed
that Niko Difonte has signed a Canadian Interuniversity Sport Letter of Intent to
attend the University
of Calgary this coming
fall. Like Mark, who was a five time Canada West Conference all-star and four
time CIS all-Canadian, Difonte joins the Dinos directly from High School.
“Niko was one of the top graduating
kickers and punters in the country. We hope he can develop into a strong kicker
and punter like Johnny Mark was,” states Harris of the graduate of Winnipeg Oak Park High School.
“I watched video of Johnny (Mark)
and he was very good. I hope to follow in his shoes at the University of Calgary,”
states Difonte who was recruited by numerous CIS schools including Carleton,
St. Francis Xavier, York and Manitoba
as well as NCAA Simon Fraser
University.
“Calgary
has a serious football program and it is a great city,” stated Difonte of his
decision to attend the University
of Calgary.
In addition to playing football
at Oak Park Nico competed in soccer at Oak Park High School.
One of his coaches at Oak Park was former University of Calgary defensive back Ty Noble and his
head coach was Stuart Nixon.
Nico, is the son of Mike and
Bernedette Difonte.
