Yes Ferg, It’s California Again
One of the really enjoyable and competitive CIS Tournaments is the Wesmen Classic in Winnipeg right after Christmas. A rare 8 team opportunity to play CIS teams from across the country, it has a great atmosphere, and, usually, an interesting field.
The Dinos played in this tournament for ‘all of my career at UC’ claims Ian Ferguson, a 2005 grad who would concur with our thoughts about the tournament, but would be forced to mention the several return trips to Canada’s coldest street, Portage Avenue, in the dead of winter. “I’ll always hold that against Dan (Vanhooren) ... my whole career !”, says Ian, who now teaches and coaches at Airdrie’s Bert Church HS.
Now, Coach Vanhooren has changed the routine in a big way, and for the 2nd year running, his Dinos are off to Southern California for an exhibition series with 3 schools from the Golden State Athletic Conference, an NAIA circuit (not NCAA) of California Catholic Colleges, most of which are in the Greater Los Angeles area. Last season, the veteran - laden Calgary club lost 2 of 3 games, as they beat San Diego Christian College, then lost to both Biola College, and Azuza Pacific.
This time around, Calgary goes south with a much younger crew, and Coach Vanhooren is looking to get his troops back together after exams with an eye to “working hard at getting in better shape for the second half of the year.” He is concerned about the fitness level as several key players recover from injuries, and the study break usually takes away some of the game readiness. These 3 games are a chance to get that edge back in preparation for the re-start of Canada West play in January, and the trip to California is a popular one with the players.
The Dinos play Concordia College on Dec. 28, then Azuza Pacific on the 30th, and Biola on the 31st. The Dinos will, undoubtedly return to the Wesmen Classic, but this post-Christmas trip will not include togues, mitts, and parkas. Sorry about that Ferg !
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