Calgary Dinos Kickoff Celebration Launches Exciting Football Season

URGENT UPDATE: The University of Calgary’s highly anticipated Kickoff celebration kicks off today, August 25, 2023, as the Calgary Dinos football team prepares to battle the reigning Hardy Cup champions, the Regina Rams. The excitement begins with a lively orientation tailgate outside McMahon Stadium at 3:30 p.m., leading up to the game scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

Fans are buzzing with anticipation as head coach Ryan Sheahan enters his second season at the helm. The Dinos boast a formidable defense that returns all but two starters from last year’s squad, which was among the best in the nation. On the offensive side, the team welcomes new talent while keeping hold of key player Matthieu Clarke, the top rusher for the past two seasons, who aims to make a significant impact again this year.

This weekend marks not only the kickoff for football but also the start of the 2025 women’s rugby 15s season. The Dinos will host the University of Alberta on Saturday at 5 p.m. at McMahon Stadium. Last season ended in heartbreak for the Dinos, as a last-minute goal-line stand by Lethbridge prevented them from scoring in the bronze-medal match at the Canada West Final Four. With a strong performance in the 7s season this past spring, the Dinos are poised for a promising fall. Simon Chi, in his 16th season as head coach, leads a youthful team filled with fresh talent.

As the Dinos kick off the season, they will travel out of province for two critical games. They face Lethbridge tonight at 7 p.m., followed by a Sunday doubleheader against Saskatchewan in Saskatoon at noon. Fourth-year forward Owen Antoniuk has made headlines already, scoring all four goals in a recent 4-1 victory over MacEwan and netting another in the subsequent match against Alberta. For his efforts, he earned the title of Canada West Men’s Soccer Player of the Week on his birthday.

In women’s soccer, the Dinos are returning almost their entire starting lineup from last season, which saw them finish with an impressive 11-2-1 conference record. Head coach Diogo Raposo, now in his fourth season, boasts a solid track record of 28-7-7 in conference play. The Dinos were recently ranked second in the Canada West preseason coaches’ poll, receiving one first-place vote among the 15-team league.

With the kickoff celebration underway, today’s events and games promise to be a thrilling start to an exciting season for the Calgary Dinos. Fans are urged to join the festivities and support their teams as they embark on what promises to be a memorable year. Stay tuned for more updates as the action unfolds!