Three decades later

Time goes quick especially when one has had a great experience. It seems just like yesterday, but November 19 marked the 30^th anniversary of the University of Calgary Dinosaurs (what they were then) first Vanier Cup triumph, 30-21 triumph over Queen’s.

A lot has happened in three decades. The Berlin Wall came down, governments have changed, numerous technological changes have taken place especially how we communicate, coaches have changed but what remains constant, is the showcase for Canadian college football still remains the Vanier Cup and is the pinnacle for amateur football in Canada.

The 1983 and 2013 have many similarities.

There is however, one glaring difference. The 1983 team had just one playoff game to win to get to the 1983 championship game. The 2013 team had to post three post-season wins to advance.

The Atlantic champions were supposed to travel to Canada West but the Atlantic University Sport did not want to travel west thus opting out playing for Vanier Cup. The Conference Final against UBC was one of the most epic college games ever played at McMahon. After trailing heading into the final quarter Vavra hit Mike Siroishka for the go ahead touchdown before 7102 frigid fans sending Calgary to their first Vanier Cup appearance since 1975.

Few people expected the 1983 team to have the season they did. The Dinos were coming off a disappointing 3-5 1982 season missing the playoffs. The season started unimpressively dropping their first two regular season games and an exhibition contest before reeling off eight straight triumphs to capture the school’s first of four Vanier Cups under Head Coach Peter Connellan.

Another similarity is that both the 1983 and 2013 teams began their regular Conference season with a pair road contests, the difference was the outcome. In 1983 Calgary dropped their first two games at UBC and Saskatchewan while this year they won at UBC and Regina.

Each team possessed an outstanding rookie linebacker that started. 1983 had Doug Nyhoff starting directly from Lethbridge Collegiate Institute, 2013 has talented Brad Friesen from Edmonton Jasper Place.

The 1983 conference nominee for the freshman of the Year (Peter Gorman Trophy) was fullback Tony Spoletini who played a key role blocking and running the ball. In 2013 talented Rashaun Simonise is a finalist for the Freshman of the Year with his pass receiving and specialty teams play.

Quarterback Greg Vavra and running back Mercer Timmis were and are both finalists for the Hec Crighton Trophy as the Most Outstanding Player in university football.

Each team had a Tom Spoletini! Tom Spoletini started at offensive tackle, his son, Thomas starts at outside linebacker in 2013.

A Stambene was on each team. Father Joe was a solid special team player and caught a key touchdown pass in the Conference Final against UBC, his son Carson, though injured is a backup linebacker on the 2013 team heading to the Vanier Cup.

On the defensive side of the football linebacker Wade Buteau was a finalist for the President’s Trophy as the top Defensive Player not being a Lineman while 30 years laterDoctor Cassama is up for the same recognition.

Each team lost a defensive lineman they had hoped to return but made the Montreal Alouettes. Blake Nill was drafted by the Als and made the team when many thought he would be back to the U of C. The same can be said about Mike Klassen who made the CFL club in 2013.

The members of the 1983 team are still bonded by their Vanier Cup triumph. Many of their parents still come to the games despite having their sons not playing for three decades. John Siroishka, Al Bailey, Nick Petros, Steve Vavra, the Spoletinis (both of them), still are loyal Dino fans.

The 1983 team are the core of what is now the Dinos 5^th Quarter. Vavra is extremely active in many capacities with the 5^th Quarter as are the Spoletini’s (Tom and Tony). Nyhoff despite living in Texas has created an endowed scholarship and follows the team as best he can from afar. Defensive lineman Jim Bailey follows the club as best he can despite living in London, England. Dave Fordyce and Craig Steele are or have been directors of the 5^th Quarter.  Siroishka, Colin Sheedy, and Keith Holliday are usually at games. Defensive lineman Kent Warnock remains tied to the program as a current assistant coach with the defensive line. Many other members of the 1983 team are active as football coaches at various levels of community or high school football wherever they currently reside.

The Dinos 5^th Quarter existed in a small capacity prior to 1983 thanks to the efforts of people like Gary Durbeniuk, the late Cal Broadhurst, and Rick Coleman. One of the by products of the 1983 Championship was the increased involvement of the Dinos 5^th Quarter. They created what is now the successful Dinos 5^th Quarter Dinner, held each spring generating funds for scholarships for players and other necessary initiatives that benefit the program.