CALGARY – Most people who follow football view kickers and punters as non-athletes. Such is not the case for University of Calgary Dinos punter Ira Hozack and placekicker Boaz Comeau.

Hozack is a 19-year-old red shirt freshman from Medicine Hat, AB, where he was an outstanding student-athlete. While growing up, Ira not only punted for his high school team but also started at receiver and defensive back. Ira also ran the sprint events in track. He was also an extremely talented striker in soccer, good enough to draw interest from several colleges.

Ira red-shirted last year, learning from the conference's all-star punter Joel Pipke and kicking coach J.T. Hay. This season, the second-year kinesiology student is averaging 40.3 yards per kick, which is leading Canada West with two weeks remaining in the regular season.

The 19-year-old Comeau joined the Dinos in 2026 after upgrading his academics, spending 2025 with the Edmonton Huskies of the Prairie Junior Football Conference. He joined the Huskies after starring for one of the top high school teams in Alberta, the Harry Ainlay Titans in Edmonton. Boaz not only kicked for the Titans but also played competitive handball and soccer.

Ira and Boaz were scheduled to live together last year, but it did not materialize. That did not deter the friendship the pair established.

When time permits, they challenge each other at ping-pong in the locker room and in residence. Both are extremely talented at the game.

"We have some pretty intense games, and it depends on the day who beats whom," Ira said, hoping to challenge quarterback Jet Zakrzewski for the title of top ping-pong player in the locker room.

Both have quickly adjusted to U SPORTS football.

"Despite only being out on the field for 30 seconds maximum, the game at this level is so much faster and more intense," states Comeau, who nailed a conference-longest 49-yard field goal in 2026 against the University of Regina. He is in general arts courses but hopes to become a gymnasium teacher.

Hozack, who was a member of the Alberta U18 team in 2025, agrees with his teammate.

"The intensity is a lot greater at this level and so is the pressure," states Hozack, who was heavily recruited by numerous U SPORTS schools.

Special teams coach Taylor Altilio is elated with the potential shown by the duo.

"Both Ira and Boaz have huge potential. When Ira came out of high school, he was one of the top punters in the country. Boaz has one of the strongest legs in the conference. He has had a learning curve but has matured as the season progressed," said Altilio.

"Ira and Boaz are extremely athletic individuals and have strong legs for a young player," states J.T. Hay, Dinos kicking coach. 

Hay played 11 seasons in the Canadian Football League with the Calgary Stampeders and is on the Calgary Stampeders Wall of Fame at McMahon Stadium. Hay was not only an excellent kicker but also played competitive hockey for the Smith Falls Bears of the Northern Ontario Junior A League, as well as competitive soccer.

Ira Hozack and Boaz Comeau are making the quick transition to Canada West football and proving that kickers and punters are also athletes.

-UC-