Ben Matchett was appointed as the eighth athletic director in Dinos history beginning July 19 2021.
Over more than two decades, Matchett has become synonymous with Dinos Athletics on the UCalgary campus. At first, he supported a variety of areas within events, marketing and communications, before expanding his role to contribute to enhanced academic success, forming long-lasting and impactful partnerships, and increased services for student-athletes.
Matchett began his career at UCalgary as a student and volunteer for Dinos Athletics in 2000. After several years supporting game-day operations, he went on to complete a full-time internship with the Dinos before being hired as marketing and communications co-ordinator in 2006. A year later, he became sports information director and was elevated to assistant athletic director, operations and communications in 2011, a position he held until his promotion to director.
As assistant athletic director, Matchett oversaw the development and execution of the Crowchild Classic series against Mount Royal University, the successful rebrand of the Dinos identity, the hosting of 12 U SPORTS national championship events, and the implementation of communications and marketing strategies that have made the Dinos one of the most recognizable brands in Canadian university sport.
Away from campus, Matchett has been an ambassador for Dinos Athletics, serving in several roles with Canada West and U SPORTS, while forging relationships across Canada’s sports landscape. Internationally, Matchett has also represented the Dinos and Canada at several World University Games.
A born-and-raised Calgarian, Matchett completed both his Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) degrees from the University of Calgary in 2006 and graduated from the Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership Master of Education program at the University of Washington in 2014.
University of Calgary Dinos
DIRECTORS OF ATHLETICS
Dr. Dennis Kadatz (1964-84)
Dr. Robert Corran (1985-96)
Don Wilson (1998-2007)
Kevin Boyles (2008-10)
Ron Wuotila (2011-15)
Christine Stapleton (2015-2017)
Jason Kerswill (2018-2021)
Ben Matchett (2021-)
