Pictured: Director of Athletics Ron Wuotila, Dinos Hall of Fame member Norm Minor, Daun Daum, Dinos Football Head Coach Blake Nill

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CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos are pleased to announce the creation of the Daun Daum Bowness High School Athletic Award.

The award is named in honor of longtime Bowness High School teacher and coach Daun Daum. Daum taught at Bowness from 1979 to 2003, coaching football and boys' basketball at both at the junior and senior levels. While at Bowness he coached the Trojans to four city championships in football and four provincial titles in basketball. He was also instrumental in starting the Bowness Invitational Basketball Tournament.

Daun coached many outstanding student-athletes that joined the Dinos after leaving Bowness High, including basketball players Kurt Pederson and Dustin Reding, along with football players Alex Andrews (running back), Brian Hill (receiver), and linebacker Dean Lang, who was a member of the 1985 Vanier Cup championship team.

In addition to coaching, Daun was involved in various administrative capacities with the Calgary Senior High School Athletic Association. He was the driving force behind hosting the 2009 provincial football championship (Alberta Bowl) in Calgary at Shouldice Park.

The Alberta Provincial Division III football championship trophy is named in his honor.

“One of the key reasons that Dinos athletic teams succeed is the fact that over the course of the last 40years Calgary high school sport teams have been led by great coaches,” said Ron Wuotila, director of athletics. “Dinos coaches who recruit from programs with strong coaching are in a better place to compete for national championships. Daun Daum is as successful a teacher and coach that our community has produced, and the Dinos have been direct beneficiaries of his great leadership. This scholarship will go a long ways to supporting young student-athletes who have been developed by the next generation of outstanding high school coaches. Hopefully, Daun will act as an inspiration to them.”

Daun has been recognized three times by Football Alberta. In 1986 and 1999 he was the recipient of the Norm Kimball Award as Coach of the Year and was given a Lifetime Membership in 2001.

In 2005, Daun was recognized by Calgary Booster Club as an Athletic Leader for dedication not only to coaching youth but being involved on many local and provincial boards in sport.

Daun was one of the driving forces with the Greater Calgary Minor Football Association and the creation of three artificial fields at Shouldice Park along with Tony Spoletini and Greg Peterson.

“Coach Daum basically dedicated the major part of his life to making a difference in the lives of young people,” said longtime friend and colleague Norm Minor, a Dinos hall of famer in football and hockey who helped spearhead the creation of the award. “In over 35 years of coaching he has literally influenced a couple of generations as to the value of teamwork, effort and self- discipline. It is a remarkable record, certainly a life's work well done.”

A native of Regina, Daun attended Luther College and was a member of the 1966 Regina Rams Canadian Junior Football League championship team under the legendary Gordon Currie. He then attended the University of Saskatchewan where he played defensive back and linebacker for the Huskies before moving to Calgary and embarking on his teaching career at F.E. Osborne Junior High from 1970-79.

Funding for the award came from various friends of Daun Daum and graduates of Bowness High School.

This endowed award will be given out annually to one or more deserving student-athletes who attain the academic criteria and guidelines as per Canadian Interuniversity Sport regulations.

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