CALGARY – They learned the values of team work and discipline when they were student-athletes on the University of Calgary Dinos football team. They applied those skills serving and protecting the citizens of Calgary no matter when called upon.

The Dinos football team has and continues to provide the Calgary Fire Department (CFD) with numerous fire fighters. They have served in various capacities including District Chiefs, Battalion Chiefs, Captains and other ranks in the department. Some specialized in unique areas such as water rescue, high angle rescue, arson investigation and other special roles. 

Many are currently employed. Some have retired. Some, such as former 2019 Vanier Cup champion linebacker Grant McDonald, are members of other fire brigades, in his case the Port Moody Fire Dept. in British Columbia. 

The vast list dates back sixty years. If I missed someone, I apologize. It began in the late 1960's and exists today. 

This writer remembers an alarm to the Kinesiology complex over 25 years ago. Upon evacuation, when the rig arrived onboard were three former members of the Dinos football program – Don Moulton and Rod Patrick who played the 1960's and 70's and young a fire fighter, Peter Florence, now a District Chief. 

A trio of members of the 1983 Vanier Cup Championship team had successful careers with the CFD – Thom Kaake, Keith Holliday and Jeff Pronk.                 

The 1995 Vanier Cup team provided the CFD with Greg Heise, Jodi Bednarek, and James Dusyk. 

One of the most notable CFD members is former University of Calgary Dino and Calgary Stampeders defensive lineman Stu Laird before he retired as a Batallion Chief. 

Laird graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Economics. He spent five years (1978-1982) with the Dinos before having distinguished careers with both the Calgary Stampeders and CFD. 

"Football training and training to be a fire fighter are similar. Football has the highest practice ratio to game experience. You practice all week for one game. Firefighting is the same, you train and train for that one live experience," stated Laird, who spent over 31 years with the CFD. 

Laird also sees a similarity with training camp for a football team and going through training with your class as a firefighter. "You get to know your classmates as you train, just like getting to know your teammates both in football and as classmates," he added. 

So why do so many football players become fire fighters and why does CFD recruit former athletes?

"Team work is number one. You train as a team and work as a team," stated Holliday, who graduated with a degree in Physical Education in 1986.

"Another component is the physical commitment and fitness which explains why many people employed with the CFD are Faculty of Kinesiology graduates. Firefighting training is a demanding job and you have to stay in shape," added Holliday, who retired as a Captain in 2023 after a 34-year tenure. 

A similarity exists between going on a call and getting ready for a game. "When you are playing a game, you never know how it is going to flow. The same is true going on a call," Holliday stated.

Other former football players that have or have continued to serve with the CFD include John Kalin, KC Prince, Ahmed Marshall, John Judge, Stephen Hughes, Geoff Paiment, Ian Crosby, Pat O'Hare, Brady Fleming, Kevin Thurm, Steve Rowan and most recently Aaron Statz. All proud members of the CFD, proud alumni of the Dinos football program and proud to serve protecting the citizens of Calgary. 

-UC-