CALGARY – The 2019 football season will be a different one in many ways for University of Calgary Dinos defensive back Nick Statz. For the first time in his 14-year football career, going all the way back to youth football, Nick will not be playing with his identical twin brother, Aaron. It also will be the first time that the boys will not be attending school together and driving to and from practice together. 

"We played our entire youth football, high school careers together and also with the Dinos for four seasons, so it is different not having him around," said Nick, who was selected by the Calgary Stampeders in the 2019 CFL Draft and attended their training camp this spring.

Both Statz twins started their tenure with the Dinos in 2014 but Nick was redshirted for s year while Aaron played as pure freshman from Notre Dame High School in Calgary. Nick is the older of the two, by eight minutes.

Last year, the Statzes were the one of two sets of identical twins with the Dinos along with the Philpot twins, Tyson and Jalen, who play on the offensive side of the football at receiver. 

With Aaron leaving the coaches will not have a problem identifying Nick.

"They were both with us for four years. At least now I know which one I am dealing with," joked Head Coach Wayne Harris, who has nothing but praise for both Nick and Aaron. "Both developed into solid players in our program with a great work ethic." 

Nick admits it's different not having his twin brother both on and off the field.

"It is different not having him across the room from me. It is something I have to get used to," stated the final year Haskayne School of Business student, who had to purchase a car this off-season to get to and from practice and school. "We shared the same car and now I had to buy one as he is not coming to practice."

Both are excellent students in the classroom, with Aaron studying kinesiology. Both were also U SPORTS Academic All-Canadians at various stages of their careers with the Dinos, with Nick taking home the University of Calgary's Senate Service Award last April for his community service initiatives.

Aaron is now transitioning into being one the alumni as he ventures into the work force in Calgary. 

"He (Aaron) will be around at the games and supporting the team and myself," Nick stated. 

The Dinos open the 2019 Canada West season Aug. 30 when they visit the Alberta Golden Bears in Edmonton. The home opener, KICKOFF XIV, is set for Friday, Sept. 6 against the Manitoba Bisons at McMahon Stadium.

-UC-