In hosting the University of Wyoming Cowboys Men’s Basketball Team this coming weekend, the Calgary Dinos were excited about the 1st ever trip by an NCAA school to play in Calgary, but, with the announcement yesterday that the Jack Simpson Gym has become available for the games, the Dinos are looking forward to the move from the cramped Red Gym to the classy atmosphere of the big court.

The Jack Simpson was originally scheduled to undergo renovations to the track area this Labour Day weekend, but construction delays now leave the big gym open for the September 2nd and 3rd ( 7:00 pm both nights ) games. The obvious advantage is the familiar home court, and the opportunity for many more fans to take in the action in the 4,500 seat centre.

NCAA teams such as the Wyoming Cowboys of the Mountain West Conference are able to travel outside the U.S. for September exhibition games prior to the start of classes to play CIS schools. Other weekend action in Western Canada will also feature games on the West Coast with Arizona, Fresno State, Wichita State, and New Mexico State playing UBC, Simon Fraser, and Saskatchewan. The NCAA schools see the early action as a chance to practice with their full squad prior to the usual October 15th official start; prior to that date, most schools are limited to small group sessions and limited coach to athlete court time.

The Dinos start practice Tuesday with a roster featuring 5th year guards Josh Feist and Brian Finniss, who are expected to be joined in the starting back-court by 4th year shooter Cody Darrah. 2nd year post players Ross Bekkering and Robbie Sihota will be prominent
factors in the frontcourt. Following are the remaining roster players for the Dinos …

Sonny Khangura - 5th year post, Jeremy Odland - 4th year wing, Brendan Groat - 3rd year post, Tony Dhaliwal - 2nd year guard, Joe Schow - 2nd year transfer ( SFU ) post, Joel Bancroft - 2nd year transfer ( Red Deer College ) guard, and Henry Bekkering - red shirt
transfer ( Eastern Washington ). Henry will not dress for the games as his red shirt status applies to any non-league games as well. All intra-CIS or NCCAA transfer players must sit out a year before playing at their new school.

1st year players include Logan Armstrong - guard, Youngstown, AB, Jared Laird - post, St. Francis, Calgary, Dustin Reding - guard, Bowness, Calgary, Chris Unsworth - post, Medicine Hat, AB, and Randy Williams - guard, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.

Tickets are are being pre-sold at the Kinesiology Client Services Ticket Office for $10.00 per person with children under 12 being admitted for $5.00. Two-game packages are available at $16 for adults and $8 for children under 12. To purchase tickets, visit Kinesiology Client Services in KNA 101, call 220-DINO, or email tickets@ucalgary.ca.