SUN QB HAPPY TO BE A DINO

The University of Calgary football Dinos continue to make inroads into the British Columbia Interior in pursuit of future players for the team.

The Dinos confirmed the signing of quarterback of Josiah Joseph to a Canadian Interuniversity Sport Letter of Intent. Joseph spent the past two seasons for the Okanagan Sun of the British Columbia Football Conference. This past year he split playing time with veteran Cam Bidore. Joseph is the second player with BC Interior roots to sign with the Dinos. Earlier the Dinos confirmed the signing of Vernon Secondary School linebacker, Carson Labrecque.

Offensive coordinator Ryan Sheahan flew to Kelowna during the season to evaluate talent with the Sun. Joseph also made a visit to Calgary in April 2015 but elected to return to the Sun and continue his academic studies at UBCO.

This past year Joseph broke the passing percentage in the BCFC and was named top offensive back for the Sun.

“Calgary is a great opportunity for me to come and compete for a spot. I like the culture present and the family aspect of the team,” stated the 6’3” 210 lbs. Joseph who attended Mount Boucherie High School in West Kelowna. While at Mt. Boucherie, Josiah excelled in both football and basketball earning Kelowna High School Athlete of the Year for excelling in both sports.

Former Okanagan Sun President Paul Carson had high praise for Joseph. "We are very excited that Josiah has committed to the Calgary Dinos program. He is a tremendous young man who has a bright future at the CIS level. Josiah is a mature and talented young man who has a tremendous amount of upside. The entire Okanagan Sun organization wishes him well".

“Josiah is a big athletic quarterback with a strong arm. He has great leadership skills and that was shown when he helped the Sun to the Canadian Junior Final,” states University of Calgary Head Coach Wayne Harris.

 Josiah will enrol in the Faculty of Kinesiology in January 2016 beginning his academic career at the University of Calgary as well as training with the team in the off-season.

Carleton, St. Francis Xavier, and the University of Regina approached Josiah about attending their schools but he felt Calgary was the best fit for him from an academic and athletic standpoint.

Josiah is the son of Randy and Shannon Joseph.

Dynamic Warrior Joins Dinos

Receiver Dan Blackmore knew where he wanted to play post-secondary football all along. The 5’11” 185 lbs. graduate of Henry Wisewood High school did not make any visits that were offered him choosing to stay home and play for the hometown Dinos.

“This (Calgary) is where I wanted to go to play. Many of our alumni have gone through the program and have liked it. Everyone that I spoke with was honest, open and they want us to be more than football players but well rounded men,” stated Blackmore who was approached by Simon Fraser University, the University of Alberta and Queens University but signed a Canadian Interuniversity Letter of Intent last week.

Blackmore was a member of Team Alberta in the 2015 Canada Cup tournament in Quebec. In addition he was a Calgary Midget Football Association all-star playing for the Bulldogs program in 2015.

This past year he played tailback for the Warriors but will be used as a receiver with the Dinos. He played three years of High School football playing receiver initially.

“Dan is a versatile athlete who played several positions in High School at Henry Wisewood. His rugby background will make him a solid special team player as well as a dependable receiver,” states Dinos Head Coach Wayne Harris.

Blackmore will enrol in the Haskayne School of Business in September 2016.

He is the son of Karl and Sarah Blackmore.

PROVINCIAL CHAMP NICASTRO JOINS DINOS

The University of Calgary Dinos today confirmed the signing of offensive lineman Peter Nicastro to a Canadian Interuniversity Sport Letter of Intent. Peter joins the Dinos after a very successful High School career that saw him play both ways for the St. Francis Browns, who captured both City and Provincial 4A Championship. He started for the Browns senior team as a Grade 11 student when they lost in the Calgary City Final to Notre Dame Pride in 2014. Peter’s high school coach was Taylor Park.

The Dinos have a had great tradition of offensive linemen from St. Francis over the years such as Tom Spoletini, Shawn DeSantis, and Chris Vail and hope Peter can follow that group and make a solid contribution.

A graduate of the Calgary Mavericks Minor Program, Peter was a Calgary Midget Football League all-star in 2015 at offensive guard.

The 6’2”, 265 lbs. Nicastro hopes to take business courses at the University of Calgary.

“Calgary is my home. The Dinos have a great program in all areas including a great alumni and it is home to me. I did not want to move away from my family,” states Nicastro.

Dinos offensive line consultant Rohn Meyer admires Nicastro’s tenacity. “Peter will grow into a very good player for this team. He is a physical kid who plays with an edge,” Meyer states.

Recruiting coordinator Matt Berry was well aware of Peter’s ability for quite some time. “We have known about Peter for the past two to three years are delighted that will be joining us,” Berry states.

Nicastro was approached by UBC, Simon Fraser, Queen’s and was offered a visit to the University of Ottawa before signing with Calgary within a week of closing out his high school career.

Peter is the son of John and Giovanna Nicastro.

Drewniak Joins Dinos Oline

The University of Calgary Dinos continue to work on recruiting trail and confirmed the signing of outstanding offensive line prospect Dawson Drewniak from Henry Wisewood High School in Calgary. He becomes the second player from Henry Wisewood to commit to the Dinos thus far following teammate Ronnie Hopkins. He also played last year with defensive back Josh Quarles who earlier committed to the Dinos.

Drewniak was a starting member of the 2014 Alberta team at the Canada Cup in Saskatoon and is a former Calgary Midget Football League all-star for the Northern Raiders. He spent much of youth in Airdrie, AB., before moving to Calgary in Grade 10.  Dawson was a member of the Calgary Bantam Selects for two years that competed in St. Louis, MO.

While playing for the Warriors in High School Dawson played both along the offensive and defensive lines for Coach Cody Ehrmann.

“Dawson is an elite offensive lineman and one of the top players in his position in Calgary. We are excited about having him join our program,” states recruiting coordinator Matt Berry.

“I felt Calgary was best place for me to grow as an athlete and student. My High School coaches were supportive of me going to the Calgary,” states Drewniak who was pursued by the Universities of Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Dawson is the son of Ross and Cheryl Drewniak and will study Social Sciences at the U of C in the fall of 2016.

SIX FORMER DINOS ON ROSTERS FOR THE 103rd GREY CUP:

The University of Calgary Dinos will be represented in the 103^rd Grey Cup this weekend in Winnipeg. Both the Edmonton Eskimos and the Ottawa Red Blacks have a trio of former Dinos on either their active, practice, or injured roster.

Slotback Nate Coehoorn is a starting receiver the Eskimos. A native of Medicine Hat, AB., Coehoorn, who was selected sixth overall by the Eskimos in the 2011 Canadian Football League draft. Nate has distinguished himself a solid receiver for the Eskimos hauling in 35 passes for 313 yards despite missing several games due to injury.

Offensive lineman Alexander Krausnick-Groh returned to the Eskimos this past year after spending last year in Ottawa who selected him in the expansion draft. After being selected by Saskatchewan in fourth round in 2011, he spent two years with the Riders before signing as a free agent with Edmonton in 2013. Alexander has seen action in a reserve capacity for the Eskimos this past year along the offensive line.

Rookie Adam Konar was selected by the Eskimos in the third round (25^th overall) of the CFL Draft in 2015 after an all-Canadian season with the Dinos in 2014. Adam has been hampered by injuries this year but made the club after a solid training camp.

The Renegades Jake Harty has seen extensive action on special teams since being on the active roster late in the season after being injured much of the season. Jake was selected tenth overall by Ottawa in this past year’s CFL Draft after a stellar career with the Dinos. He made a couple of key tackles in Ottawa’s Eastern Final win over Hamilton.

Veteran James Green is a valuable special team player with the Red Blacks. A native of Vernon, BC, James has been with Ottawa since he was selected by them in the expansion draft following five year stint with Winnipeg.

Special team player Jordan Verdone is in his second year with the Red Blacks but has missed the bulk of this year due to injury.