Number 55 Out of Circulation for the 2015 Dinos’ football season

Offensive tackle Braden Schram has worn jersey number 55 for the past couple of seasons while with the University of Calgary Dinos. A mainstay on the offensive line, Schram, a 2014 Conference all-star will not wear sweater 55 for the 2015 campaign. Number 55 is being held out this season out of respect of the passing of legendary Calgary Stampeders linebacker Wayne Harris Sr., father of current University of Calgary Head Coach Wayne Harris and regarded as perhaps the greatest Calgary Stampeder player.

“This is our way of remembering, respecting the contribution and impact Mr. Harris had on football in Calgary,” states University of Calgary equipment manager Johnny Carr. Upon retiring from the Canadian Football League, Wayne Harris, Sr. was a frequent attendee not only at games for the Dinos but also practices until his health prohibited from coming. A scholarship currently exists administrated by the Dinos 5^th Quarter called the Harris Family Linebacker Scholarship.

Wayne senior’s grandson James Harris assists with coaching the linebackers on the Dinos and is the son of Head Coach Wayne Harris.

HEADING HOME

Friday’s game against the University of Manitoba Bisons at Investors Group Field will be a home coming for one member of the current Dinos football program.

Freshman offensive lineman Curtis Krahn will suit for his first Canada West game and as fate would have it, it is against the University of Manitoba Bisons. The Winnipeg native did not dress against the UBC Thunderbirds due to injury and joined the 45 player active roster this weekend when starting right guard Ryan Prueter was injured late in the team’s opening triumph against UBC.

“It is exciting to go back home and dress,” stated 6’3”, 290 lbs. Krahn who joined the Calgary program this season after playing Junior Football for the Winnipeg Rifles of the Prairie Football Conference. Krahn is expecting a large throng of followers of family and friends at the contest. Krahn was named Winnipeg Rifle of the Year in 2014. “I am expecting about 35-40 people there I know at the game,” stated the first year Arts student.

A graduate of College Louis Reil, Krahn was recruited by the Bisons but chose the Dinos after making a recruiting visit to Calgary in the off-season.

In addition to having Krahn and his throng of supporters in the stands for the game, current Winnipeg Blue Bombers starters and former Dino players – middle linebacker Sam Hurl and offensive guard Sukh Chung are expected to attend the game. It is also anticipated that former all-star defensive back Tye Noble, currently a High School in Winnipeg will be there to see some of his former teammates.

BC Trio help Dinos defeat UBC:

A trio of true freshmen from British Columbia had an impact on the University of Calgary Dinos defeat of the UBC Thunderbirds 49-16 in Canada West football action Friday evening.

True freshmen Jack McDonald, Blake Gau, and Seye Farinu all saw action on special teams. McDonald also played a couple of series on offense in the fourth quarter and Farinu got some time in at Linebacker on the final defensive series.

“All three young men had strong training camps and played well in our pre-season game at Medicine Hat against the University of Regina,” stated Head Coach Wayne Harris.

The 6’1”, 210 lbs McDonald, is from a football background. His father, Bruce, played for UBC and was a Conference all-star defensive back and had a tryout with Edmonton in the CFL. Jack joined the Dinos after outstanding High School career at South Delta. where he was AAA all-star linebacker and also played receiver on offense. He is being used as an inside receiver with the Dinos and has taken some reps with the first group during practice. McDonald’s family were on hand for Jack’s first Conference game as a Dino.

Gau was a teammate of McDonald’s at South Delta is splitting his time between outside linebacker and defensive back, a system used in the pas to create Dinos great and current Blue Bomber Sam Hurl. Gau recorded a special team tackle in his first game on Friday evening. Like McDonald, Gau played for Coach Ray Moon at South Delta helping them to the provincial Championship last year. The 6’, 195 lbs. Gau is enrolled in the Haskayne School of Business.

Farinu is a graduate of Mount Douglas High School in Victoria. He was a member of the AAA all-star team at running back and also saw action at linebacker. He is playing outside linebacker for the Dinos in his inaugural season in Canada West. Backing up former MVP Doctor Cassama.  Seye played for coach Mark Townsend in High School and was ranked in the CFC Top 100 last year. The 5’9”, 195 lbs Farinu is a first year student in the Haskayne School of Business.

The Dinos look forward to additional contributions from Jack, Blake, and Seye not only this year but through out their careers with the program.