Latest news with #Dawgs
Calgary Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Okotoks Dawgs gear up to host WCBL all-star festivities, celebration of baseball in Canada
Article content The Western Canadian Baseball League's mid-summer classic is returning to Okotoks on Saturday. Article content The 2025 WCBL All-Star Game and Home Run Derby, hosted by the Okotoks Dawgs Baseball Club and presented by Fortis Alberta, takes the field at Seaman Stadium for an afternoon of fun and an evening of excitement. Article content 'The Dawgs and the town of Okotoks are proud to host the WCBL's All Star Game and Home Run Derby,' said Dawgs managing director John Ircandia. 'This is our third year in a row in hosting the event, and as in the past two seasons, we anticipate a sold-out crowd of over 5,000 fans.' Article content Article content Article content When the home run derby heats up Seaman Stadium, 200 little leaguers will be shagging fly balls. Article content Others will be entertained by family-fun activities, including face painting and mascot challenges. Article content 'And our more seasoned fans can take the opportunity to chat and get autographs from various baseball celebrities, including Canadian baseball legend, hall-of-famer and World Series champion Matt Stairs,' Ircandia said. 'So fans are encouraged to get their tickets now. Article content 'The all-star game is truly a family-fun experience.' The Dawgs call the all-star festivities an all-day celebration of baseball in Canada, featuring the best players in the West Division of the WCBL matched up against the best of the East Division. Article content The event further entertains fans with a BBQ, musical entertainment and a post-game fireworks display. Article content Article content And in addition to the home run derby, fans in attendance have a chance to win $10,000 in a promotion sponsored by Pete The Plumber. If the target is hit, one lucky fan will win $10,000. Article content 'We hope to build on a successful and sold-out 2024 all-star game when the club attracted a record-breaking crowd of 6,003 fans,' Ircandia said. 'Tickets to the 2025 WCBL All Star Game are going fast (at Article content The WCBL is Canada's premier summer collegiate league and unlike other summer collegiate circuits based in the United States, the WCBL showcases top Canadian and American talent from leading universities and colleges on the continent. Article content Numerous WCBL grads have gone to play top levels of professional baseball including: Matt Wilkinson (Cleveland Guardians), Tristan Peters (Tampa Bay Rays), Gavin Logan (Arizona Diamondbacks), Jacob Melton (Houston Astros), Kody Funderburk (Minnesota Twins), Andrew Kittredge (Boston Red Sox), and Alejo Lopez (Oakland Athletics), Andrelton Simmons (Atlanta Braves), Marco Gonzales (Seattle Mariners), Andrew Albers (Minnesota Twins), John Axford (Milwaukee Brewers), Dustin Molleken (Detroit Tigers), Josh Taylor (Boston Red Sox) and Erik Sabrowski (Cleveland Guardians).
Calgary Herald
5 days ago
- Business
- Calgary Herald
Calgary oilpatch pioneer and philanthropist Don Seaman dies at 99
Article content Prominent Calgary businessman and philanthropist Don Seaman has died at the age of 99, just 17 days shy of his 100th birthday. Article content Seaman, a pioneer in Canada's oil and gas industry and a generous supporter of youth sport and education initiatives, passed away surrounded by family and caregivers. He died of prostate cancer, according to his obituary. Article content Article content He is remembered as a sharp businessman, a humble contributor to his community and 'the centrepiece' of his family. Article content Article content 'His drive for excellence, his work ethic, loyalty, honesty, and sincerity were always reflected in his work,' his obituary read. 'The pervasive and lasting legacy that he has left us is his love for his family. His generosity and care of his family made him deeply beloved.' Article content Article content A key figure in building Alberta's energy sector, Seaman's success in business took off after he joined his brothers in founding Seaman Engineering and Drilling in the 1950s. The company evolved into Hi Tower Drilling and eventually became Bow Valley Industries, a global energy firm. Bow Valley was taken over by British Gas in 1987, after which Seaman pursued separate business ventures, often mentoring young entrepreneurs and investing in their success, his obituary stated. Article content Seaman gave back generously through the Don and Eleanor Seaman Foundation, supporting causes including education, health care and youth sports. He was a key supporter of the Laurie Ircandia Memorial Scholarship at the University of Calgary and remained deeply involved in philanthropic work until the end of his life. Article content Article content Okotoks Dawgs stadium among legacy Article content One of his most visible community contributions is Seaman Stadium in Okotoks, home to the Okotoks Dawgs Baseball Club. Noticing a lack of facilities for young baseball players in Calgary, Seaman envisioned and helped fund the multimillion-dollar stadium, which has since become a national hub for summer collegiate baseball and a community centrepiece. In 2017, Seaman was honoured for this achievement at the Top 7 Over 70 event. Article content 'He saw the success of the players we had with basically no playing facility, and he wanted to provide an opportunity where future players would have an easier time realizing their dreams,' said Dawgs founder John Ircandia, who is also Seaman's son-in-law. 'Don turned to me and said, 'We need to find a way to build the Dawgs their own stadium.''
USA Today
10-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
ESPN identifies Georgia's top weakness
The Georgia Bulldogs have several positions of concern entering the 2025 college football has a new projected starter in football's most important position, quarterback, but ESPN's Mark Schlabach does not think Gunner Stockton and the quarterback position are Georgia's top area of he identifies the pass rush as Georgia's top weakness. We have been harping all offseason of Georgia's lack of returning pass rush returns just 21.6% of its sack production (eight of 37 sacks) from 2024. The Dawgs had an outstanding pass rush in 2024, but lost their two top front seven talents (Jalon Walker and Mykel Williams) to the first round of the 2025 NFL fact, seven of Georgia's top eight sack producers from last season are no longer on the team. The Bulldogs appear to be set at inside linebacker in the front seven, but it is fair to be concerned about Georgia's defensive line and outside linebackers who does Georgia need to help replace all the lost pass rush production?'Georgia feels good about Gabe Harris Jr., and it added Army transfer Elo Modozie, who had 6.5 sacks for the Black Knights last season,' said other top player in the trenches is Christen Miller, who is expected to be a 2026 NFL draft pick. Redshirt freshman Joseph Jonah-Ajonye, Nasir Johnson, Justin Greene, Nnamdi Ogboko and Jordan Thomas will be among the Bulldogs thrust into a larger role this fall. UGA can count on redshirt sophomore Xzavier McLeod absorbing a significant amount of snaps. The Dawgs are also hoping for former five-star defensive tackle Jordan Hall to be healthier for the 2025 campaign. Sophomore Quintavius Johnson is another name to watch. Georgia also will hope to get contributions from five-star freshman defensive lineman Elijah Griffin and edge rusher Isaiah Gibson. Follow UGAWire on Instagram or Threads for more Georgia football coverage!
CTV News
05-07-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Dawgs fall short Friday night in Swift Current
The Dawgs lost to the 57s 4-3 in Swift Current on Friday night. The Okotoks Dawgs settled for a split of a two-game series in Swift Current, dropping a tight 4-3 decision to the 57s Friday night. Third baseman Wilmer Henriquez had two hits, scored one and homered to lead the 57s, who rallied for three in the fifth to erase a 2-1 Okotoks lead, courtesy of a two-run home run from Zane Skansi in the fourth. Nkosi Didder threw five innings, giving up two earned runs to pick up the win for the 57s. Nate Charlton, who threw two-thirds of an inning for Okotoks and gave up three earned runs, picked up the loss. The loss came a night after a 5-2 victory over Swift Current on Thursday night. The Dawgs return home for a weekend series against the Brooks Bombers. First pitch Saturday night is set for 7:05 p.m.
USA Today
04-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
4-star Buford RB, Georgia recruiting target nearing commitment
The Georgia Bulldogs are coming off a red-hot recruiting streak in June. The Dawgs picked up 16 commitments in June, but coach Kirby Smart and Georgia aren't done yet. One of Georgia's top recruiting targets, four-star athlete Tyriq Green, is ready to announce his commitment. Green has set a commitment date of July 12, which could be a busy day for the Bulldogs. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound athlete plays high school football for Buford High School in Buford, Georgia. Buford is one of the top high school football programs in the country. Green also runs track at a high level with Buford. He was part of Buford's 6A state championship-winning 4x400 meters relay team that posted the fastest time in 6A state history (39.81 seconds). Green is ranked as the No. 151 recruit in the country, the No. 10 athlete and the No. 21 prospect in Georgia. Green is a member of the class of 2026 and is high school teammates with UGA offensive line commit Graham Houston. Green primarily plays running back and safety for Buford. It is unclear where he'll play in college, but Green has excellent speed and is a dynamic athlete. The Buford star does a good job of maintaining his balance through contact when he has the ball in his hands. Georgia's top competition for Green Georgia is primarily competing with Miami, Florida State and Auburn to land the four-star athlete. Green has taken recent official visits to all of his top contenders. Follow UGAWire on Instagram or Threads for more Georgia Bulldogs coverage!
