Some varsity football players got another round of bad news last week. Not only has the 2020-21 football season been cancelled, but more than 300 senior players have had their careers cut short by U SPORTS age cap rules. While the decision to cancel the season as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic doesn’t impact eligibility in terms of years played, football is unique in Canadian varsity sport in that there is an age cap for players. Those who turn 25 before Sept. 1 age out and are ineligible to

After a season that can only be described as historic, a common denominator in the Dinos men’s soccer team’s success emerged in post-game interviews and conversations with players — Jake Ruschkowski. His teammates say he’s easily the best goaltender in Canadian varsity sport. Ruschkowski was named to the Canada West First All-Star team and became the first Dinos goalkeeper to be named a U Sports All-Canadian. He was named to the Second Team in the national organization after helping the Dinos m

The Dinos women’s soccer team had an incredible year that included a Canada West gold medal and a trip to the U Sports National Championships. Despite coming up short in a 0–1 loss to the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds in the championship game, the Dinos have plenty to be proud of. On Nov. 2, in exactly the reverse of the national championship’s fortunes, the Dinos captured their second-ever Canada West title in program history, besting the Thunderbirds 1–0. The emotional roller-c

It’s been said that “sport is a great equalizer that can build bridges, transcend borders and cultures and render even the fiercest conflicts temporarily irrelevant.” That’s certainly what Isaac Yeung and the Inertia Network hope to do by facilitating the Pyongyang Cup. Founded in October 2017 by three Vancouver-based friends, Inertia Network is a unique travel company, organizing experiences in the most remote and inaccessible parts of the world. Inertia Network’s “mission is to facilitate gen

The Calgary Stampede debuted a new event during its finale weekend this year, Bulls After Dark. Capitalizing on the rising popularity of bull riding, the sold-out event combined a nightclub atmosphere — complete with a DJ, rock band, pyrotechnics and adult beverages — with sporting spectacles fit for an adrenaline junkie. Bull riding was on full display alongside a new, up-and-coming sport — freestyle bullfighting. “It’s basically a 60-second dance between man and beast,” explained Aaron Fergu

Compared to the amount of press the Dallas Cowboys receive as a whole — win or lose — Xavier Su’a-Filo doesn’t get a lot of attention. The 310-pound, six-year veteran of the National Football League deserves a closer look, especially as he potentially competes with Connor Williams for the starting role at left guard. Signed by the Houston Texans to a four-year contract in 2014, Su’a-Filo was selected in the second round, 33rd overall. While never named to a ProBowl, Su’a-Filo was a workhorse. T

On March 22 and 23, athletes from as far away as Brazil converged on the Nutrien Western Event Centre in Calgary to compete in the Calgary Classic, an event on the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Canada Monster Energy Tour. Professional bull riders are quickly becoming the rockstars of the rodeo world. Always one of the most popular events at rodeos around the world, the PBR organization was formed in 1992 by 20 riders who believed bull riding could succeed as a standalone sport. Now, with spons

Canadian varsity football players are making their mark on the professional sporting landscape. This year, U Sports athletes were included in the National Football League Player’s Association (NFLPA) Collegiate Bowl in Pasadena, California and the East-West Shrine Game in St. Petersburg, Florida, both on Jan.19. The two annual games are an opportunity for college athletes to play in front of NFL scouts and showcase their talents. The Shrine Game is the longest-running university all-star game i

The Dinos women’s hockey team emerged victorious from the seventh instalment of the Crowchild Classic at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Jan. 29. The annual hockey game between the University of Calgary Dinos and the Mount Royal University Cougars holds the attendance record for any U Sports team matchup. The rivalry between the two universities always makes for exciting hockey and this year’s Crosstown Smackdown did not disappoint. The Dinos got off to a slow start, with MRU dominating the ice

Last December, Canmore resident and cross-country skier Beckie Scott was one of 15 Canadians appointed Officer of the Order of Canada. An anti-doping advocate and champion of athlete’s rights, Scott has had an incredible career — and she’s not even close to finished. At the 2001 Salt Lake City Olympics, Scott became the first North American woman ever to win an Olympic medal in cross-country skiing when she captured bronze. Her involvement with the clean sport movement began shortly after, when

The Yukon Quest, a 1,600-kilometre sled dog race, is steeped in history. The trail from Whitehorse, Yukon to Fairbanks, Alaska, traces the route prospectors followed to reach the Klondike during the gold rush. The race lasts between nine to 14 days, as mushers and their teams battle the elements and isolation. Ask anyone to name a sled dog race and they’ll likely come up with the Iditarod. The famous race was launched in 1973 to preserve the sled dog culture in the North and commemorate the r

The National Hockey League grew by one team in 2017, holding an expansion draft and setting up shop in Sin City with the Vegas Golden Knights. More importantly, Canadians collectively lamented being passed over in favour of yet another American team. As Canadian hockey fans, we love to cry foul over NHL commissioner Gary Bettman’s treatment of us and, on Dec. 5, we received another blow to our national ego when the league announced a team for the city of Seattle. Once again, Canadians were deni

The Olympic Oval will host the kick-off to Canada’s international short track speedskating season at the International Skating Union World Cup from Nov. 2–4, 2018. Team Canada’s short-track speedskating team hit the ice at the Oval Oct. 31 to train for the competition. The men’s team roster includes veterans like Charles Hamelin and Samuel Girard. Hamelin is a multiple Olympic gold medalist starting his 16th season as a World Cup competitor. Girard is also an Olympic gold medalist and the first

The rivalry between the University of Calgary Dinos and the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds was on full display at Kickoff on Sept. 7. A rematch of last year’s Hardy Trophy final, this year’s edition of the annual home-opener provided the near-6,000-person crowd with plenty of excitement. The Dinos took an early lead when quarterback Adam Sinagra connected with receiver Tyson Philpot for a 62-yard touchdown. The T-Birds got on the board in the second quarter but the Dinos held them