CALGARY – It was a special day on the UCalgary campus Wednesday as a pair of former Dinos were on hand to show off the fruits of the labour.

Dinos football alumni and current offensive linemen for the CFL's Toronto Argonauts Peter Nicastro and John Bosse came to the Olympic Oval and brought the Grey Cup with them. The Argos are the reigning Grey Cup champions after a 41-24 win over Winnipeg back on Nov. 17, 2024.

Calgary native and St. Francis High School grad Peter Nicastro said it's always special to come back to campus, but today had a little extra meaning.

"Anytime you can bring the Cup back to where you started is awesome. Just seeing the guys – how much they're into it is great to see," said Nicastro, who has already won a pair of CFL titles with the Argos in his four seasons in the league.

"The coaches here, just the organization and program – it's a pro-style club. It was an easy transition for me to go from here to Toronto. That was smooth. What they did here prepared me for Toronto."

Nicastro's former teammate and fellow 2019 Vanier Cup champion John Bosse seconded that sentiment – crediting the number of Dinos alumni across the CFL in helping his transition into the league this past season.

"This is CFL U," Bosse said of the Dinos. "There are so many guys that I've watched growing up – even back when I was in high school, seeing so many guys get to the CFL. Once I got to be a Dino and seeing everyone working and working and the grind that everyone puts in – that taught me so much discipline and how important work ethic is. And for me to be able to go into the CFL and have all these different guys that have played for the Dinos...it's a brotherhood. It's a fraternity. Being a Dino taught me so much about how to be a pro before I was even a pro. I loved my time here."

Bosse, who just finished his first year in the CFL, said he knows there's more work still to do in his future, but being back on the UCalgary campus where many of his dreams started was a special moment.

"It's a blessing and a gift," Bosse said. "This is something that I dreamed of even back to when I first joined the Dinos. We're here in the Olympic Oval, and I remember doing sprints and stairs and all the training in this building, and for me to see where all that work took place and all the fruits of that labour – it's special. Winning this trophy my very first season in the CFL is amazing. I know there is more work to come, but I just thank God, the coaches and teammates here today and everyone because this is just a blessing."

-UC-