New head coach John Stevens left no stone unturned in Southern Alberta in search of players for the Calgary Colts.
“I recruit the old fashioned way — feet to the pavement,” he said. “I’ve personally visited at least 35 or 40 high schools since January. “Every high school in Southern Alberta that would have me in their doors, I’ve been in — Calgary, Cochrane, Okotoks, Airdrie, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat. Ninety-five per cent of our recruits are from Southern Alberta.”
All that pavement pounding has led to this weekend when the Prairie Football Conference junior team gathers for its spring camp, which runs Friday, May 4 through Sunday, May 6 at McMahon Stadium.
As many as 170 prospects will be trying to impress Stevens and his coaching staff. Stevens takes over the Colts this season from longtime skipper Keith Kendal. Stevens is the first full-time head coach employed by the Calgary Colts.
Stevens grabs the reins after serving as the Colts’ defensive coordinator for the past two seasons. Prior to that Stevens served in the same capacity for the University of Calgary Dinos for nine years until 2009. Before that he was the head coach of the St. Francis Xavier X Men university squad for 10 seasons.
This weekend’s spring camp will involve four practice sessions from Friday through Sunday morning and will conclude with a full gear scrimmage Sunday afternoon from 2 to 4:15.
Stevens and his 15 assistants will have their roster down to 90 by the time they open the regular season on the road Aug. 12 against the Saskatoon Hilltops. The Colts’ home opener is Aug. 19 at McMahon Stadium, with the Regina Thunder visiting.
One of the most intriguing camp battles will be at the receiver position, where some 35 bodies will be trying to win spots. Whoever does make the team will have the pleasure of being taught by two former Canadian Football League stars. The Colts will have former Calgary Stampeders’ CFL Hall of Famer Tom Forzani and recently-retired Ryan Thelwell serving as their receivers coaches in 2012.
“There’s been a number of the recruits who have told us the reason they really want to play for us is because they noticed who our receiving coaches were,” Stevens said.
“So, right now it’s not a mistake why we have so many receivers trying out.”
The Colts actually began training in February once a week at the bubble dome on the McMahon Stadium grounds. They’ve been outside since late April.
Following spring camp the Colts will begin holding combined practices with the University of Calgary Dinos from May 8 through to the start of the Colts main camp on July 21.
“That’s something new this year,” Stevens said.
“That’s two practices a week for 10 weeks — or 20 practices that the Colts haven’t had before.”
The Colts have a new agreement with the Stampeders for the 2012 season. Anyone purchasing a Stampeders season ticket will also receive a season pass for all Colts games. For more information please visit [url]www.calgarycolts.com.
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