CALGARY – Dinos Football coach Blake Nill confirmed Monday that running back Steven Lumbala from St. Francis High School in Calgary has signed a letter of intent with the University of Calgary for the 2009 season.
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound tailback continues the tradition of fine athletes at that position not only from his high school, but from his family. His two older brothers both played varsity football: Jacques spent a year with the Dinos before transferring to Saint Mary's, where, he played for Dinos head coach Blake Nill, while Rolly starred for the University of Idaho Vandals and is now with the CFL's B.C. Lions.
“Our recruiting mandate is above all to keep the top local players in Calgary,” said Nill, who led the Dinos to their 10th Canada West championship in 2008. “We've done a good job with that so far, and Steven's commitment to the Dinos is just another example of premier local talent staying home to play for the University of Calgary.”
Lumbala will be the inaugural recipient of the Gary Deman – St. Francis High School Athletic Award, which was also unveiled on Monday. Named after the Browns' legendary football and basketball coach Gary Deman, it will support student-athletes from St. Francis who choose to continue their education at the University of Calgary – and Lumbala is one of the top student-athletes in his high school's history.
Ranked the No. 1 running back in Alberta Division I high school football in 2007, he is the only player in Browns history to be named team MVP in his Grade 11 season after leading them to a perfect 10-0 record and the Tier I provincial title. His senior year was also spectacular, averaging 170 yards rushing per game and 8.7 yards per carry, and he was named team MVP for the second straight year.
The St. Francis pedigree has produced some of the most notable athletes in Dinos football history – names like Dan Diduck, Tony Spoletini, J.P Izquierdo, Joe Stambene, Elio Geremia, and Anthony Woodson have come from the Browns program to star at the varsity level.
Lumbala joins a high-powered Dinos offence for the 2009 season. Reigning Canada West MVP Matt Walter is back along with All-Canadian Woodson, while Raymond High School star Storm Bartsoff committed to the program during the 2008 season. Deke Junior, who led Calgary all the way to the Uteck Bowl last season, will battle it out with transfer Erik Glavic, the 2007 Hec Crighton Award winner, at the quarterback spot.
Off-season workouts continue for the Dinos, leading up to 2009 Spring Camp May 1-3 at McMahon Stadium, and the defending conference champs will kick off the defence of their title at fall camp in mid-August.
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