Lacombe to host pre-season Battle of Alberta

CALGARY – Continuing to expand their presence in Central Alberta and a partnership with the Lacombe Athletic Park Association (LAPA), the University of Calgary Dinos announced Thursday that they will play a pre-season game against the University of Alberta Golden Bears on Saturday, Aug. 27 at Lacombe’s MEGlobal Athletic Park.

The Dinos return to the central portion of the province for the exhibition game after two years in Medicine Hat (2008 and 2009) and one year at Shouldice Athletic Park in Calgary (2010). The Bears and Dinos will meet up in the pre-season for the second straight year, this time in a rematch of the 2010 Hardy Cup final.

The day-long football celebration will include a local minor football game in the early afternoon and a rookie scrimmage between the Dinos’ and Bears’ freshmen followed by the main event at 6 p.m. when the Dinos and Bears square off in each team’s lone pre-season tilt.

The three-time defending Canada West champion Dinos open the regular season one week later when they travel to Winnipeg to take on the Manitoba Bisons Sept. 3. Fall Camp begins at McMahon Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 20.

“We’re very excited to continue our partnership with the LAPA and to continue to promote Dinos football in Central Alberta,” says Blake Nill, the six-year head coach of the Dinos. “They have an outstanding facility in Lacombe and we’re thrilled to bring CIS football to an area of the province that doesn’t get many opportunities to see it live.”

The Dinos and the LAPA recently completed the first of a five-year agreement to host development camps for Central Alberta minor and high school football players.

LAPA marketing and fundraising chair Darren Gagnon points out that the CIS exhibition game is just another in a growing list of major events to be held at the new facility.

“MEGlobal Athletic Park is a first-rate facility that will continue to host events like this,” Gagnon says. The location along with the fieldhouse and lights allow us to draw groups from all over Alberta, and that will only improve with the installation of the FieldTurf and the running track this fall.

“We will work with the Dinos and our LAPA partners to ensure we host a great day for the two university teams, minor football in Lacombe, and football fans in Central Alberta.”

Tickets for the game will go on sale in late July at several locations throughout Central Alberta at a cost of $8 each. Tickets will also be available at the door for $10.

For further information, please visit www.lacombeathleticpark.ca or www.godinos.com.

Dinos fans can purchase season tickets beginning Wednesday, June 13 at any Calgary Co-op customer service location for just $25. The home opener is set for Friday, Sept. 9 at McMahon Stadium when the UBC Thunderbirds pay a visit for KICKOFF, the end of the University of Calgary’s orientation week. Game time is 7 p.m.

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Ben Matchett