Dinos add Talented Linebacker

Joe Dutton wanted to remain at home and enjoy the benefits of his mother’s cooking. Head Coach Wayne Harris and the University of Calgary Dinos are thankful for that. The 6’3”, 195 lbs. linebacker from St. Francis High School has signed a Canadian Interuniversity Sport Letter of Intent to play for the Dinos in 2017. Dutton joins current St. Francis teammates, quarterback Cole Belway and offensive lineman Logan Bandy who have also committed to the Dinos.

“I wanted to stay in Calgary, play with the players I played with as a kid and stay at home with my mother’s cooking,” stated Dutton who has been a two year starter for the defending City and Provincial 4A Champion Browns.

“I felt the combination of education and football excellence made it the best choice to commit to the Dinos. They have enjoyed tremendous success the past few years and I am excited to help contribute to that continued success,” Dutton stated elaborating on his decision to remain in Calgary..

From a football family, Joe’s grandfather Tom Dutton was a stalwart defensive lineman for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies in the late 1960’s and also played for the Saskatoon Hilltops, while his father Paul, played for the Huskies in 1991 and 1992.

Joe brings an impressive list of credentials to the Dinos. He was a member of the Alberta U18 team for two years and was captain of the Canadian team that participated in the International Bowl in Arlington, Texas in February 2016. He was a two time all-star in the Calgary Midget League (2015 and 2016) for the Cowboys that were coached by Tony Spoletini and Al Cooper, and a Calgary High School all-star in 2015 playing for Tyler Park.

Dutton is currently ranked in the CFC Top 100 and was pursued by every school in Canada West as well as Queen’s and McGill.

“Joe Dutton is one of the top linebackers in the country. He has size, speed and instincts to be a top level CIS player,” states Dinos recruiting coordinator and Coach Matt Berry.

Dutton is the son of Paul and Jenn Kelly and plans to take Education courses at the University of Calgary.

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.

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.

BIG BACK FROM SASK JOINS DINOS...

The University of Calgary football Dinos have recruited their first player in the history of their program from Yorkton, SK. Fullback Caleb Bymak has informed the school he will attend the University of Calgary, and has signed a Canadian Interuniversity Sport Letter of Intent.

The 6’2”, 215 lbs. Bymak played both fullback and linebacker for Yorkton Regional High School Raiders the past three years for Coach Robbie Sharpe.

Caleb was a member of the Saskatchewan team that competed in the Canada Cup tournament in Quebec in July 2015 playing both linebacker and defensive end but will be utilized on the offensive side of the football with the Dinos.

“Caleb is am athletic physical player who can play on either side of the football. He will be used on offense and we look forward having him fit in to our system with his physical style of play,” states University of Calgary offensive coordinator Ryan Sheahan.

Caleb came to Calgary for a recruitment visit in early November 2015 and liked what he saw with the program.

“I liked the professionalism and atmosphere with the program and felt I was wanted immediately. In addition I like the offensive scheme they (Calgary) run. I also have family there and know the city,” states Bymak who will enrol in the Faculty of Kinesiology this coming fall.

In addition to excelling in football, Caleb is an outstanding amateur baseball player and was a provincial bronze medalist in the quadrathon (100 metres, 800 metres, long jump and shot put). He was a member of Canada’s team that competed in the Senior Little League World Series in Maine in August 2014 after being added by the Regina team after they won the Canadian title. He spent this past summer playing for the Parkland Midget AAA Express.  He also played baseball for Team Saskatchewan attending camps in both Florida and Arizona.

Caleb visited both the Universities of Saskatchewan and Regina in addition to speaking with the University of Manitoba before deciding on Calgary.

He is the son of Stefan and Crystal Bymak.

THE CALGARY HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER OF THE YEAR JOINS DINOS

The University of Calgary Dinos have landed one the premier graduating High School receivers. Calgary High School Player of the Year, Kelton Bailey, has signed a Canadian Interuniversity Sport Letter of Intent with the team.

The  6’1”, 195 lbs.  receiver is the fifth player from the Henry Wisewood Warriors to join the Dinos this season from Cody Ehrmann’s team.

Bailey brings an impressive list of achievements from his two year High School career with the Warriors and moving to Calgary from Peace River, AB. He was the recipient of the Division I Stan Schwartz Heart of a Champion Award that goes to the player combining for academics, leadership, and athleticism. Kelton also won the Harry Hood Memorial Award for the player combining ability, sportsmanship, academics, citizenship, and leadership sponsored by the Calgary Booster Club in Division I Senior High School football.  Kelton was a member of the 2014 Alberta Provincial Team and this summer will be one of two graduating Calgary High School players chosen to participate in the Montana High School Shrine game in July 2016.

“Kelton is one of the premier graduating High School receivers not only in the province, but Canada. He has great speed, plays physical and with confidence,” states University of Calgary offensive coordinator Ryan Sheahan. “You can tell he is team leader on and off the field and he will be a versatile addition to our offense,” Sheahan states.

“Calgary is close to home and that was a big factor. The school has a great academic program I am interested in, I liked the family atmosphere around the program and have friends on the team and in Calgary,” stated Bailey who will enrol in the Faculty of Kinesiology.

Bailey was recruited by many CIS schools but narrowing the decision to McMaster, UBC, and Calgary before deciding on the Dinos over the Christmas break.

Kelton is the son of Hugh and Tanna Bailey of Peace River, AB.

SUN JOINS DINOS

The University of Calgary football Dinos confirmed defensive back Brennan Van Nistelrooy has signed a Canadian Interuniversity Letter of Intent and attend the University of Calgary this coming fall. Van Nistelrooy was recruited by all the schools in Canada West as well as McMaster and Mount Allison Universities and made is decision to Calgary in January 2016.

Van Nistelrooy brings an impressive of credentials with him accumulated while playing four seasons for the Okanagan Sun of British Columbia Football Conference. He was a four time BCFC all-star defensive back and was named the BCFC’s top defensive back for three seasons (2013, 2014 and 2015). This past year he was named BCFC Defensive Most Valuable Player as well as the Conference Special Teams Player of the Year. As well as playing defensive back Brennan can also punt. He was the Conference all-star punter in 2015 helping the Sun reach the Canadian Junior Football League final where they lost a close game to the Saskatoon Hilltops. He becomes the second member of the Sun to join the Dinos, following quarterback Josiah Joseph who currently attending classes at the University of Calgary.

On the national level, Van Nistelrooy was a Canadian Junior Football League all-star defensive back for three seasons (2103, 2014, and 2015) and was a finalist for the CJFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2015.

“Brennan is a mature physical player with outstanding football instincts. He was a leader on a very successful team and we look for him to contribute immediately,” states Head Coach Wayne Harris.

The 6’, 195 lbs. Van Nistelrooy is a native of Lethbridge, AB., and attended Catholic Central High School where he was coached by former University of Calgary linebacker Mike Nightengale. Van Nistelrooy spent one year at the University of Alberta after graduation from High School.

“Calgary is close to home for me and I like the winning attitude with the Dinos. When I left the Okanagan Sun we had a close knit family atmosphere, and on my recruiting visit saw the same atmosphere existed with the Dinos,” Van Nistelrooy stated.

Van Nistelrooy was also impressed with secondary coach Marcello Rapini. “Marcello is a great coach and look forward to playing for him,” states Van Nistelrooy who will attend the Canadian Football League regional combine later this year in Edmonton.

Brenan is the son of Henry and Wendy Van Nistelrooy of Lethbridge.