A MEMORABLE FIRST ROAD TRIP AS A DINO AND KEEPING UP WITH THE ST. FRANCIS TRADITION OF LINEBACKERS.

Daniel Flanagan’s first road trip for the University of Calgary Dinos football team could not have been better and more memorable! The then 18-year-old linebacker first road journey with the team happened to be to the 2019 Vanier Cup game in Quebec City. The result was ideal, the Dinos captured their first National Championship since 1995.

Flanagan dressed for one game as a pure freshman thereby keeping his eligibility. His only game action was in Calgary against the University of Alberta.

“Going to the Vanier was a great experience. I was fortunate to be with the team during the week,” stated Flanagan who received an Alexander Rutherford Entrance Award based on his academics in his senior year in High School. “It was cool to see how we were treated, be part of the preparation and see the excitement at practice at a different level.”

Flanagan, like many 2019 freshmen was excited about having an expanding role and more road trips in 2020. Those hopes were dashed due to CoVID 19 restrictions. He made the most of the lost season by working hard to get stronger and faster with additional training. The result is Daniel is a starter at linebacker replacing Grant McDonald and Charlie Moore, both of who made Canadian Football League active rosters in 2021 and Ross DeLauw, who completed his five years of eligibility. Flanagan used the experience to help him prepare for a prominent role in 2021 and has emerged as one of the top tacklers in Canada West football playing a prominent role on a young defense.

“He is a smart, quick, a high-end athletic player that is very aggressive who works hard,” states U of Calgary Defensive Coordinator Matt Berry stated of Flanagan, who was one of the team’s top recruits coming out of High School.

Winning championships was not new to Flanagan. He was a key player in helping St. Francis High School capture the Alberta 4A Championship in his senior season with the Browns. He was part of numerous championship teams at the youth level with Cowboys’ organization. Daniel was also a member of Team Canada’s U18 team and earned Most Valuable Player honors in two games of the 2018 Canada Cup.

“Winning is something I like,” stated 6’, 205 lbs. Flanagan whose trip to Quebec City with the Dinos marked the first time he was there. In addition to being a winner on the football field, Flanagan also excels in the classroom earning academic All-Canadian status in his freshman year. Daniel has been the recipient of numerous scholarships including the John Forzani Memorial Athletic Award as well as an Alberta Athletic Men’s Football and Canada Life Athletic Awards.

Daniel spent this past summer selling pest control services in Ottawa gaining practical business experience. “I learned how to deal with clients, sales techniques and how to carry a steady conversation with people,” stated third year Haskayne School of Business student who is major in Marketing and hopes to pursue business interests after graduation. “The job was like a work study, long hours no commission,” Flanagan stated.

The coaching staff is confident that Daniel can follow the tradition of outstanding linebackers from St. Francis High School in Calgary with the Dinos that goes back over four decades. Chester Krala was a key member of the 1983 Vanier Cup Championship team. Five years later the Dinos had a trio of linebackers from St. Francis that played prominent roles in the team’s success. Rod Monden, Dennis Mahony and Patrick Mosca, were key linebackers when the Dinos captured the 1988 Vanier Cup. Augie Barrenechea was another outstanding linebacker for the Dinos who attended St. Francis. Augie had a solid professional career in the Canadian Football League with Hamilton and Edmonton after toiling with the Dinos two decades ago.

Daniel and freshman linebacker David Porcu are hoping to carry that tradition from St. Francis to the Dinos.