CALGARY – Ben McDonald had several difficult decisions to make, but at the end of the day he's headed to join the 2019 Vanier Cup champion University of Calgary Dinos.

One of the top high school quarterbacks in British Columbia, McDonald had to decide which sport to play at the post-secondary level: football or lacrosse. A talented lacrosse athlete, McDonald made an official visit to The Ohio State University and was offered a full ride to attend OSU on a lacrosse scholarship. He also visited to Stoney Brook University in New York for lacrosse.

The 6-foot, 195-pound pivot was also pursued by numerous U SPORTS schools for football. He narrowed his choices between Calgary and Western, eventually choosing to sign a Letter of Intent with the Dinos.

"I liked football better than lacrosse," stated the 18-year-old McDonald in making his decision to concentrate on football. "I like the offensive structure at Calgary as well as the players and coaches there. My brothers like it," said the 2019 Canada Football Chat Top 100 player.

He will join older brother Grant, an all-star linebacker, with the Dinos and will be the third brother to wear the Scarlet and Gold. Grant and Jack, a fifth-year receiver, were part of the 2019 Vanier Cup championship team.

Ben had a stellar four-year career with the Sun Devils, despite having his senior season cut short with an upper body injury. In 2019 South Delta was undefeated and ranked number one in 3A British Columbia football with him at quarterback until he was injured late in the season. In 2018 he was the Sun Devils' starting quarterback and safety while in 2017 he played receiver and safety. 

This past year he was named provincial 3A Offensive Most Valuable Offensive Player of the Year and in 2018 was a provincial all-star and 3A quarterback of the year. 

"We are super excited about Ben joining us. He comes from a great lineage of players in his family starting with his father, Bruce down to his brothers Jack and Grant. Ben has the potential to be a great player for us with his athleticism and his strong leadership skills," states Head Coach Wayne Harris. 

Football is in the McDonald family. His father, Bruce, was a captain on the UBC Thunderbirds 1986 national championship team and a five-year starter in the secondary. He was selected by the Edmonton Eskimos in the CFL Draft but suffered a severe lower body injury ending his professional aspirations. Bruce also coached at South Delta with Head Coach Ray Moon. 

Ben hopes to enter the Haskayne School of Business. 

-UC-