UBC welcomes two out-of-province commits to their team.
Brendan Barnes, an offensive lineman from the Calgary Colts and Ryan Smith, a receiver from Notre Dame High School, may not have met each other on the field, but now both will have the chance to know each other on the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds.
Brendan Barnes
Brendan Barnes (#68) makes the block. Courtesy of Brendan Barnes.
Brendan Barnes will be leaving the only city he has known for football and heading across provincial borders to Vancouver, BC. Originally from Calgary, Alberta, he played eight years with the South Calgary Colts and three years with the Centennial Coyotes (Calgary High School Athletic Association). After one season with the University of Calgary Dinos, he played with the Calgary Colts (CJFL) last season.
Now, he will be getting a taste of how football is taught on the Pacific coast. “I chose to commit to UBC because of its excellent coaching staff,” the towering 6’7, 290lbs athlete said. “They show that they can win and are a competitive team with others in Canada. I know Coach Buratto can develop my skills (on the) o-line over the next few years.”
He added that he likes the sound of the school’s academic support program. While he is interested in Kinesiology, he isn’t sure as to the exact program he will be pursuing.
In his final season with the Coyotes, he was named the best offensive lineman. He received similar honours with the Colts last year. He hasn’t won a championship since his bantam days when his team won provincials.
Ryan Smith
Courtesy of Ryan Smith.
Barnes will be accompanied by fellow Calgary resident, Ryan Smith. Smith has been playing football in Calgary for nine years with the Notre Dame Pride (CHSAA) and the Calgary Mavericks.
“Vancouver is an amazing place and I wanted to get out of Calgary to experience something different and something new,” Smith said. “UBC is an amazing place for both academics and athletics.”
He added that, “UBC has a winning attitude and I am very fond of the head coach, Coach Blake Nill, and the coaching staff of the Thunderbirds.”
Ryan Smith jumps for the catch. Courtesy of Ryan Smith.
Standing at 6’0, 185lbs, Smith has chosen to take Arts in his first year and then transfer into either Business, Kinesiology or Education. In his career, he was a Calgary High School Division 1 all-star. He also won a Gary Deman award for the most improved player this year. In 2014, he captured a community football championship.
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