This season we were privileged to hand out over $30,000 in scholarships to our athletes.

Here are a list of the recipients – congratulations to each one of you!

James Ens – Al Park Memorial Scholarship
Jordan Samoil – Gary LeFevre Community Service Scholarship
Albanie Laderoute – Terry Martens Scholarship
Jamie Turcotte – Terry Martens ScholarshipAustin Ericson – Jackie Parker Scholarship
Jack Jones – Jackie Parker Scholarship
Tony Savchuk
Morgan Dauk
Michael Budjak
Dalton Letawsky
Zach Chomchuk
Zach Burgess
David Wright

In addition to these, 10 athletes were awarded the Charles Noble Scholarship.

Thank you to our generous supporters who make these scholarships possible, including but not limited to Terry Martens, Football Alberta, and the Alumni Association.

The 2016 Banquet will be held Friday, November 18 at St. John’s Cultural Center (10611-110 Ave)

Tickets are $20 for current players, and $40 for guests. Purchase dates will be announced to the players.

Cocktails at 6pm, Dinner at 6:30pm.

Our October 16 game is our Annual Sock Drive for the Mustard Seed. Bring a donation of a new pair of socks and be entered to win a Boston Pizza Prize Pack generously donated by the Beverley Boston Pizza!

This game will also be our Alumni Recognition Night, so all alumni get in free with a donation!  We ask all alumni to enter through the south gates!

We hope to see you all there!

When talking to players both past and present about Coach Park, they all said the exact same thing: “Darcy Park is the Wildcats”. So instead of trying to condense their memories of Darcy into a paragraph, here is what they had to say, in their own words:

“The first time I met Darcy, he was still playing. He was by far one of the best football players I ever had the opportunity to watch in person.  If it wasn’t for some injuries and one or two things had gone differently, I believe Darcy would have had a great career in either the NFL or CFL.  But things happen for a reason and he has gone on to positively impact thousands of young men’s lives.

I also had the pleasure of being coached by him after I left high school football. He is what you call a players coach. He wants everyone around him to achieve success even before himself. Success in athletics, academics and life. Still as a coach today one can tell Darcy’s vision is far greater than just athletics, he wants to help create successful people. Not many coaches today have past players come see them year after year, even fifteen years later and he does. Athletics are one thing but you know a good coach when he has such a positive impact on young men.” – Trevor MacIntyre (1999)

“Darcy taught me how to train in the off-season, and how to run hard during the season. He wouldn’t try to change the athlete you were – he found ways to make you better and help you adapt. What I remember most about Darcy is that he is the ultimate team coach: leaving a lasting impression about always putting the team first” – Jarred Winkel (1999-2001)

“Darcy is an all-time favourite coach of mine. He is the type of person who wants you to be successful on and off the field. He had a positive impact on all of us not only as football players, but in our personal lives as well. Whether it was improving our football skills or teaching us about commitment and dedication,  to helping us find summer jobs, encouraging us to continue our education and be active members in our communities. He was invested in our development as football players and also as a young men.” – Cale Inglis (2004-2005)

“Darcy embodies the mold of a players’ coach. He taught us how to win on and off the field through hard work and discipline. Darcy has made an immeasurable impact on the football community and lives of many young athletes in the Edmonton community. I am proud to call him a lifelong friend and mentor.” – Jesse Schryver (2005-2008)

“Darcy Park was always more than a coach. He was a mentor, motivator, leader, and pushed players to the best of their abilities. I remember Park fighting for me to become the starter, I put in my time and hard work and Darcy was the first to notice the efforts. He would acknowledge the hard work with simple gestures or encouragement, if I had a good week of practice or played a good game he would be the first to let me know. When times were tough and games went badly he didn’t belittle or bash you until your confidence was shot, instead he would set expectations and motivate you to be better. Guys would always call Darcy a players coach because of relationships he built with us players over time but I don’t think that best describes Darcy – he’s a leader that raised the overall expectations of your game and pushed us past our own abilities.” – Andy Pilon (2005-2009)

“To me it was always really clear that Darcy loved the game and to coach, and even more he loved the team. When a coach loves what he does that love becomes contagious. Darcy was always able to light up the locker room and his presence was felt from the moment you walked in until you left. Darcy’s Wildcats weren’t just a team, we were a family and that clubhouse has been a second home to hundreds of kids, and he had a lot to do with it.” – Andrew Carefoot (2009-2013)

“Darcy’s passion and commitment for not only football but his family and developing players from boys to men is unmatched. He is  a great role model for anybody lucky enough to be involved with the Wildcat program” – Brad Quartel (2012-2014)

“I’ve had the privilege over my four years of Wildcat Football to play under Coach Park, which on numerous occasions he has proven to be much more than just a coach, but a person who is truly dedicated to his players. It’s hard to describe a person with such a large personality, but Coach Park’s comical demeanor has made my memories of the team stand out amongst others. Even though his intense drive to win was above all else, it was apparent that Coach Park was equally focused on creating upstanding individuals so we would see success when our playing days would come to an end. Coach Park consistently exemplifies the impact that a coach has on player’s lives years after they step off that field down in Rundle Park with the countless life lessons he reiterated. To myself, Darcy Park is more than just a coach, but a mentor and close friend, who always made me feel like family.” – Ryan Doram (2011-2014)

“Darcy Park is a man I can not even begin to describe. From the time I started my Wildcat career he has been a driving force that pushed me in the right direction. His dedication to the team and to the organization he has been apart of is an inspiration that makes anyone around him want to be a better person. Taking the time to learn what I want to accomplish in the off-season as well as in season, he has help me establish a goal set. Even though he has a big heart, his tough attitude forced me to grow up and become a leader on and off the gridiron. Coach Park has helped me continue my life by giving me the support and chance to go to school and further the level of football that I want to achieve. In closing, the five years I spent with him have been the foundation that made me the man/player I am today.” – Marcus Goods (2011-2015)

On behalf of all Wildcats, past and present, thank you Coach Park!

Photo by Jody Bailey

Coach Greg Tyszka played for the Wildcats for two seasons in the early 90’s, and was an All Star for his second season. He returned back to the Wildcats in 1998, and has been coaching with us every year since (minus 2010, when he coached for the Golden Bears). Greg has ranged from coaching the O-Line, to being the Offensive Coordinator, to being the Offensive Assistant – the position he currently holds so he has time to coach high school ball for Holy Trinity as well.  Greg is well respected by all of his athletes both for his knowledge of football, as well as for the way he treats his players. He is always serious on the field and when he speaks, the athletes listen. Off the field, he can quite often be found sharing stories with the players and coaches that bring everyone to stitches. On behalf of the entire offense, thank you Coach Tyskzka!

Coach Greg High has been coaching in Edmonton for over 30 years. When asking his athletes, both past and present, about him, then first answer is almost always about how high his Football IQ is. Greg is always the first at the clubhouse, and can be found on his ramp breaking down film and working on the defensive playbook. He has high expectations of his athletes to be putting in the time to prepare for practice and to leave it all out on the field during practice. Despite his outward toughness, Greg cares about the success of his athletes both on and off the field. On behalf of the entire defense, thank you Coach High!

Coach Sean Brown is another Wildcat alumnus who came back to coach. Sean has been coaching the Offensive Line since 2014, and is described by his athletes as “quiet but motivating”. Sean isn’t one of the coaches you can hear from the other side of the field, but when he speaks, all of his players are paying attention. Sean uses his sense of humour as one of his coaching tactics, finding the balance between keeping practices intense and keeping them engaging. On behalf of the Offensive Line, thank you Coach Brown!

Coach Dan Schutte is the embodiment of what a true Wildcat is. Dan was a Defensive Lineman from 2002-2006 before he moved on to play for St. Mary’s University for 5 seasons. He was one of the top defensive linemen at both the CJFL and CIS levels, and has the awards to back it up. In 2013, Dan joined our coaching staff to pass on his knowledge and experience of the game to the next generation of Wildcats. Dan is a quiet coach, but never hesitates to say what needs to be said. His athletes describe him as the “toughest looking teddy bear we’ve ever seen”.  Dan not only pushes his athletes to be better on the field, but he also is the first to share stories of what the team was like back when he played, and what it means to be a Wildcat. On behalf of the Defensive Line, thank you Coach Schutte!

Coach Jody Hancock has the most diverse Wildcat experience of all the coaches. He played from 1994-1999 where he was an All-Canadian in 1998 and the team MVP in both 1998 and 1999. In 2004, he returned to the team and coached the DB’s until 2006. In 2014, he returned to coach the Linebackers, and then in 2015 took a break from coaching to join the Board of Directors where he was instrumental in developing major grant applications as well as the restructuring of the board. He returned to coaching in 2016 and is again working with the Linebackers. Jody has a calm presence and is very successful at getting his athletes calmed down during intense periods of practice/games so they can listen and re-focus. He is often seen going through film with players prior to practice, and is always accessible to them for questions or to be a sounding board. On behalf of all of the Linebackers, thank you Coach Hancock!

Coach Jason McLean joined the Wildcats in 2015 after 11 years coaching with McNally High School. Jason has jumped positions coaching, going to where the team needs him the most, and has been an asset in each position. His firm understanding of the sport of football, combined with his patience and willingness to spend as much time with each athlete as they need has made him one of the most approachable coaches on the team. When he is not coaching, Jason is either coordinating the Flag Football Team, working on his golf game, or teaching his one year old daughter Ellie to stay away from football boys. On behalf of the Defensive Backs, and the McNally kids, thank you Coach McLean!

Coach Tanner Lestus is another Wildcat who returned home to the team. Tanner wore the Wildcat colours from 2006-2010 as a Defensive Back. In 2014, he came back to the ‘Cats to coach the DB’s. An University of Alberta Civil Engineering alumnus, Tanner is the analytical thinker of the coaching staff. Despite his calm and quiet exterior, Tanner has excelled at teaching his athletes to break down film, understand their jobs on the field, and to hit the field with full energy every time. On behalf of the Defensive Backs, thank you Coach Lestus!

Coach Sean Reader was awarded the “Most Likely To Organize Someone Else’s Locker While They’re Not Looking” award in high school…. Fine, we don’t actually know if that’s true, but it seems plausible! Sean is the coach who can find anything you ask for in a heartbeat and doesn’t even need to make you a second copy because he already anticipated you forgetting yours and came prepared. He is the heart of our Special Teams and Receivers, and is loved and respected by all of his athletes. Sean is a teacher, and that shows in how he breaks down film, walks the team through it, and assigns multiple page homework assignments. His coaching style is supportive, encouraging, and holds each player accountable, which has helped him bond close relationships with his receiving core. On behalf of the Receivers and Special Teams, thank you Coach Reader!

Jeff Stead came to the Wildcats in 2013 from the CIS. Willing to help out wherever he was needed, Jeff coached the Defensive Line alongside Dan Schutte for a season, before moving over to the offensive side of the ball, where he took over as Quarterbacks coach in 2014. It didn’t take long for the players to adapt to Jeff’s “tough love” style of coaching, and began to push themselves as hard as he was pushing them. This season Jeff stepped into the role of Offensive Coordinator in addition to coaching the Quarterbacks. Jeff is known to his athletes as being a tough coach who holds them accountable, but the first to crack a joke and bring a smile to their face when the time is right. On behalf of the entire Offense, and especially the Quarterbacks, thank you Coach Stead!

Even though 2016 is Jarred Winkel’s first season coaching with the Wildcats, he is no stranger to the team. Jarred played three seasons as a Wildcat, and was the 1999 CJFL Rookie of the Year. He finished his football career as the 2nd All-Time leading rusher in the U of A Golden Bears history. Jarred arrives at every practice with high energy, an upbeat attitude and a willingness to push his athletes to view their own potential. He isn’t afraid to ask for more out of every practice and is the first to celebrate their successes with them. On behalf of the Running Backs, thank you Coach Winkel!

The Game 3 On The Rocks Player of the Game is Defensive Back Jayden Dalke! Jayden led the defense with 7 tackles, 2 special teams tackles, and 1 knock down for a total of 20 points.

The On the Rocks Player of the Game gets a $50 gift card to OTR. Congraulations!