Neumann’s Notes: From Southern Alberta to the Dinos – a rich tradition – University of Calgary Athletics

Football
9/6/2024 9:30:00 AM

Jack Neumann

CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos football program has always had a strong connection to the outstanding high school football programs in Southern Alberta. 

The connectivity has lasted many years with key players such as running back Pat McCune and Doug Nyhoff in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, respectively. Nyhoff started at linebacker as a pure freshman in the 1983 championship game. He continued his support for the program by providing a scholarship for players from Lethbridge to continue their football careers with the Dinos. One player who received the Nyhoff Award is currently with the Dinos – halfback Carson Procee. 



The 1988 national championship had several Southern Alberta players on the team. Receiver Kevin Kazan, defensive lineman Lindsay Crowshoe, and defensive back Ron Tratch came from Lethbridge, while backup quarterback Andy Molcak was from Cardston, Alta. Tratch was the secondary coach on the 1995 national championship team before moving to Eastern Canada.

That trend continued into the 1990’s. Trent Schmuland was a mainstay on the defensive line, earning conference all-star recognition. Trent’s son, Everett, is a linebacker on the current team and his other son, Easton, is part of team’s video personnel. Another stalwart from Southern Alberta was offensive lineman Bryan Whelpley who has had a distinguished career with the Lethbridge Police Force. 

Raymond, Alta. provided their share of outstanding players. Quarterback Dalin Tollestrup earned U SPORTS Freshman of the Year recognition in 2006 in his only season at Calgary. Receiver K.C. Prince accompanied Tollestrup to the Dinos, following the Romeike brothers – Stephen and Bill – who played in the 1990’s. 

Linebacker David Gruninger was a solid linebacker at the turn of century, now his nephew Benson joined the team from Chinook High School in 2024 as a promising freshman player. The Little brothers – Matt and Connor – also joined the team from Lethbridge, while offensive lineman Dylan Steenbergen was a first-round Canadian Football League draft selection in 2009. 

Joel Van Pelt was a stalwart along the defensive and offensive lines for the Dinos in the last decade and Ross DeLauw was key performer in the Dinos Vanier Cup win in 2019 at linebacker and special teams. I know I might have missed some, for that, I apologize. 

Procee is hoping to make impact in his young career in U SPORTS football in 2024, playing tight end and on special teams after missing all but two games last year due to a lower body injury. 

“Southern Alberta is really well known for its basketball in high school,” stated the 6-foot-6, 260-pound Procee, who was raised on a dairy farm just outside of Lethbridge much of life. “When I joined the Dinos, there was just one other player from my area. Now there are five.”

Added Dinos head coach Ryan Sheahan, “Carson is an outstanding young player with an extremely versatile skill set.”

Heavily recruited by numerous Canada West schools, Procee is hoping to pursue a legal career, but hopes to play football at the next level. He is proud to pave the path for future players from Southern Alberta to the Dinos, these include promising offensive lineman Benaiah Amantea (Catholic Central), Gruninger (Chinook), linebacker Noah Kinniburgh (Catholic Central), and defensive lineman Teagan Berberich (Lethbridge Collegiate) – all solid freshmen in 2024. 

“Players that we currently have on our roster are prime examples of the talented players that exist in Southern Alberta,” stated Sheahan. “It is crucial to our success as a program to continue these pipelines.”

The Dinos are hoping the trend to outstanding graduates from Southern Alberta continue to play post secondary football for the Scarlet & Gold.

-UC-