Another Penner from Kenora, Ontario will be in the lineup for the University of Calgary Dinos when they kick off their 2016 Canada West football season in Winnipeg against the University of Manitoba Bisons Thursday evening at Investors Group field.
Jackson Penner, son of the former Dinos linebacker Chris Penner will be the Dinos long snapper and see action on special teams.
Young Penner is well aware of his father’s impressive credentials with the Dinos that earned him Canada West middle linebacker all-star honors three times in his five career in which he started four seasons and saw action as a reserve as a pure freshman. His father, affectionately known as “Prime Time Penner,” because of ability to excel in big games was a member of Calgary’s Conference championship teams in 1992 and 1993. What is ironic is that Chris was coached by current University of Calgary Head Coach Wayne Harris, who was linebacker coach with the Dinos then.
“I am well aware of my father’s contribution to the program,” states the 6’, 190 lbs. Penner who like his father attended Beaver Brae Secondary in Kenora and was coached by Chris in High School where Chris is a teacher as well as football coach.
“I started snapping in High School with my father, who also long snapped and he taught me quite a bit,” stated Jackson.
“His (Jackson’s) long snapping ability gets him on the field. He throws a nice ball that is very accurate for a young player,” states defensive coordinator Tom Higgins.
An excellent student academically Jackson was approached by Western and Queens but left little doubt that Calgary was where he wanted to continue his football and academic aspirations.
“I am here (Calgary) because of the fine football program and the school,” stated Penner.
EmoticonEmoticon