WELL TRAVELED BACK TO HELP CARRY THE ROCK FOR THE DINOS:

The University of Calgary football Dinos confirmed the signing of running back Robbie Rodrigues to a U Sports Letter of Intent.  Rodrigues becomes the fourth member of the 2017 Okanagan Sun to decide to make the transition to U Sports football.

U Sports football is not new to the 21-year-old Rodrigues. The native of Burnaby, B.C. made the cross-Canada trek in 2015 dressing for seven of nine games for Mount Allison University Mounties of the Atlantic University Sports Conference. He intended on heading back East to play for Saint Mary’s but chose to remain with the Sun for the 2017 season.

“Robbie is a hard-nosed runner with breakaway speed. He had a great success as a running back in Junior Football and we look forward him to being with our program,” stated Head Coach Wayne Harris.

Rodrigues joined the Sun midway through last year after deciding not to return to the East Coast enrolling at UBC Okanagan in Kelowna. In 2017 he was the starting tailback for the Sun earning Most Sportsmanlike Player honors for the Sun.

“Calgary is close to home and I want to win a Vanier Cup. Calgary has good facilities and they have the tools to help me succeed at the next level,” states Rodrigues who hopes to transfer courses into the Haskayne School of Business and has been attending the University of Calgary during the winter 2018 semester.

Robbie attended Burnaby Mountain High School but did not play High School football as his team did not have a High School team but honed his skills for the Coquitlam Midget Falcons where he was a Midget all-star.

Rodrigues has three years of U Sports eligibility remaining and is the son of Angelina and step father Jean Michael.

COYOTE QB TO JOIN DINOS SECONDARY:

The University of Calgary Dinos continues to fill out their 2018 roster. The team confirmed that versatile Nick Watson has signed a U Sports Letter of Intent and will join the defending two time defending Canada West champions this season.

An excellent athlete, Watson will be a defensive back with the Dinos even though he was the quarterback for the Centennial Coyotes in the Calgary Senior High School league under coach Garth Melrose.

Nick is a product of the Stampeders minor football program having played in their organization at various levels. He was a Midget all-star and his team’s Most Valuable Player in 2017 as a defensive back playing for Shaun White.

“Nick is an athletic kid who covers a lot of ground. He has played everywhere in the secondary and also at quarterback that has given him a good prospective of the game,” states University of Calgary Defensive and Recruiting Coordinator Matt Berry.

“This program is the Dinos. They are a top program and this is my hometown,” stated Watson who was approached by the Universities of Alberta and Ottawa.

Watson has many former teammates on the team including Tyrese Best-Fox, Tristian Rice, Cole Torrance, and current incoming freshman offensive lineman Daniel Stefanyk.

The 6’, 175 lbs. Watson is the son of Kevin and Tina Watson and is undecided what academic path he will pursue.

NEW BOSSE IN TOWN:

John Bosse really enjoys his mother’s cooking. The University of Calgary Dinos are thankful he does.

“I like my mother’s cooking and wanted to stay home,” stated the 6’6”, 280 lbs. defensive lineman in making the decision to remain in Calgary and sign a U Sports Letter of Intent committing to the Dinos for the 2018 season.

An excellent athlete, John plays both ways along the offensive and defensive lines for the Lester Pearson Patriots coached by Morgan Fraser. Once football season is over, John starts on the Patriots senior basketball team.

John was an all-star in the Calgary Midget Football League in 2016 but missed the 2017 midget season due to a knee injury. He is a product of the Broncos minor football program having played bantam as well midget in their organization.

While at Pearson he was his team’s Offensive Lineman of the Year in football and Most Improved Player on the basketball team. John was a league all-star in 2016 as a Grade 11 in the Calgary High School Division III league.

“Calgary’s team feels like home to me. I feel like I am connected to this team as Chinzy (current defensive lineman and Pearson alum Emmaneul Tasie) is here,” Bosse stated.

Bosse is familiar with the Dinos having attended their youth camps and watched practices when time permitted.

John was born in Florida, moved Ontario in 2007 and two years later moved to Calgary.

He is the son of Ismene Bosse and hopes to study Geography or Earth Sciences.

“John Bosse is a big strong athletic lineman. He is a great team player and has been a leader on each team he has played for. He works very hard and has an extremely high level of potential,” states Dinos Head Coach Wayne Harris.