CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos basketball teams make their 2019-20 debut on home court in the Jack Simpson Gym this weekend as they host the annual Calgary Cup tournament. But there's a deeper meaning to the 2019 edition.

Last April, 19-year-old Andrew Milner passed away tragically after his second season as a member of the Dinos men's basketball team. Friday night marks the first home game for the Dinos since his death, and the program will pay tribute to his memory in a special pre-game ceremony ahead of their 8 p.m. game with St. Francis Xavier University.

"I think it's important that a person of his quality on the floor, in our locker room, and in other areas of our community, be recognized," said Dinos Head Coach Dan Vanhooren. "Losing Andrew hurts so much, because he's exactly what we would want to produce in so many ways. He was everything we want a Dino to be."

Andrew's parents, Ellen and Billy, along with siblings Sophie and Jack are making the trip to Calgary for the event. And it's only fitting that the opponent would be StFX, from their hometown of Antigonish, N.S. – a community that not only produced an outstanding basketball player and human being but that welcomed the Dinos with open arms when the team travelled there for the funeral in April.

"The community out there accepted us so well during the funeral, and it's important that the basketball community is part of this," said Vanhooren. "Andrew spent a great deal of time at StFX developing his game and developing who he was. The people from Antigonish are an important aspect of this, and they're also reeling as much as anybody.

"This is a great game to have, to recognize Andrew and their community as well, and it's something I'd like to continue to do, whether it's here or in Antigonish."

Friday night's two games will be streamed live on CanadaWest.tv presented by Co-op, with the Calgary women taking on Windsor at 6 p.m. The memorial ceremony will take place immediately following the women's game, with the men set to tip off shortly after 8 p.m.

The Calgary Cup tournament features 12 games over four days in the Jack Simpson Gym, with the Dinos women tipping off against Carleton at 3 p.m. Thursday. After facing Windsor Friday night, the Dinos will wrap up the weekend against Fraser Valley for a noon tip-off Sunday.

In addition to Friday's game against StFX, the Dinos men will also take on Guelph Saturday night at 8 p.m.

2019 Calgary Cup Schedule
All times MT; all games in the Jack Simpson Gym

Thursday, Oct. 10
3 p.m.    Women: Calgary vs Carleton
6 p.m.    Men: Mount Royal vs Guelph
8 p.m.    Men: UBC vs StFX

Friday, Oct. 11
1 p.m.    Women: Fraser Valley vs Carleton
3 p.m.    Men: UBC vs Guelph
6 p.m.    Women: Calgary vs Windsor
8 p.m.    Men: Calgary vs StFX

Saturday, Oct. 12
1 p.m.    Women: Carleton vs Lethbridge
3 p.m.    Men: Mount Royal vs StFX
6 p.m.    Women: Windsor vs Fraser Valley
8 p.m.    Men: Calgary vs Guelph

Sunday, Oct. 13
12 p.m.    Women: Calgary vs Fraser Valley

-UC-