CALGARY – Sam Carson wants to carry on the Carson family legacy with the University of Calgary Dinos football program. The Dinos are delighted he will be able to do that.
The 17-year-old Grade 12 student at Henry Wise Wood collegiate will be able to accomplish that starting in the fall of 2020 with signing of a U SPORTS Letter of Intent to play for the Dinos last fall.
Sam was this year's recipient of the prestigious Harry Hood Memorial Award that is given to the top graduating high school player in Calgary in Division I football that combines academics, athletics, sportsmanship and dedication.
"(Our family) has a legacy here (with the Dinos). Calgary has a great program and it is home," stated Sam, who will be a second generation Dino offensive lineman. He will be following the path of his father, Paul who was a conference all-star and all-Canadian in the 1980s and was a starting offensive guard on the 1988 Vanier Cup championship team. In addition to being offensive line coach with the Dinos, Paul is extremely active with Dinos 5th Quarter Alumni Association in various capacities.
Offensive Coordinator
Pat Sheahan saw Carson play at the Canada Cup and is excited about young Carson joining the team.
"Sam has great size and has great athleticism for a big man. He has good skills, football acumen, and great growth potential. We expect him to have a great career with us and be a cornerstone on the offensive in the future. He is familiar with the culture here with his brother playing and his father both playing and coaching in the program," Sheahan stated.
Sam becomes the second of Paul's sons to suit up for the team. His older brother Matt was a stalwart along the defensive line from 2013 to 2017 and was drafted by the Canadian Football League's Toronto Argonauts.
The Dinos football program is not new to Sam. He has been around the team for almost a decade watching Matt practice and his father coach the offensive line. He also helped equipment manager Johnny Carr with various tasks during training camps and is familiar with the procedures around McMahon stadium during practices and games.
A number of schools in the east and west spoke with Sam but "everyone knew I was coming here," stated the 6-foot-5, 260-pound Carson, who will take science courses next fall.
Sam started playing football in Kelowna at the youth level before moving to Calgary when he was 12. He played in the Wildcats organization in the Calgary Minor Football Association at various levels, earning various all-star awards. He was a member Calgary Bantam Selects all-star team which played in Vancouver, a Calgary Midget Football all-star and a member of the Canada West U16 team that played in Texas in 2018. Sam had the misfortune of missing the 2018 high school season with a severe ankle injury. This past summer he was a starting member and captain on Alberta's team at the Canada Cup that competed in Kingston, Ont.
Sam is the son of Paul and Sherry Carson, both alumni of the University of Calgary.
-UC-
