10 for 10: No. 2 - Gridiron domination

It was unquestionably the most dominant decade of Dinos football Calgary has ever seen. 
 

In 10 seasons from 2010-19, the University of Calgary football team won seven Hardy Cups (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2019), and capped off the decade with their first Vanier Cup since 1995, and the fifth in program history. 

Blake Nill started off the decade in charge, with Wayne Harris taking over the program in 2015. The two combined for an overall regular season record of 70-10, establishing themselves as the clear cream of the crop in the Canada West conference. During the decade, it was essentially a foregone conclusion that the Hardy Cup would be handed out at McMahon Stadium, as all 10 seasons, the Canada West championship was hosted by the Dinos. Calgary never finished lower than second in the standings, picking up eight first-place finishes in that span. Perfection was also a theme this decade, as they also ran through the Canada West regular season schedule unblemished three times, the only three times it has happened in Dinos history.  

Not only was the team successful, but the Dinos football program also saw their individual play-ers reach new heights over the 10-year stretch. Calgary had countless All-Canadians, Canada West All-Stars, and individual award winners, plus three of the program’s six Hec Crighton winners. Quarterback Andrew Buckley took home the award in back-to-back seasons in 2014 and 2015, then pivot Adam Sinagra was honoured in 2019. Harris earned national coach-of-the year honours in 2015 as well.

Along with the individual accolades, the Dinos also established themselves as a premier location for recruits looking to play at the next level. After having eight players selected in the 2018 draft, the Dinos officially passed Laval for the most players selected in the CFL draft since 2003, which included a record nine selections in the 2017 draft. Harris knows what it means for the success of the team going forward, being quoted after the 2017 draft results, saying, “it’s great for the program in so many aspects, from recruiting to continuing to build a program of excellence.” 

Even with all the individual and Canada West success, for nine long years, the Vanier Cup eluded the Dinos. They had their chances, making the big game in 2010, 2013 and 2016, but faling short. However, the 2010s would have the storybook ending that all Dinos fans were hoping for. After defeating the Saskatchewan Huskies in the Hardy Cup, the McMaster Marauders in the Mitchell Bowl, the Dinos had a date with the Montreal Carabins in the 2019 Vanier Cup. Sinagra would lead the team to a 27-13 win, bringing the Vanier Cup back to Calgary, and giving the Dinos the perfect ending to a historic decade