The University of Calgary Dinos athletic department is set for a whirlwind of competition this week, highlighted by a trip to the conference curling championships and a major home stand for volleyball.
Dinos Curlers Aim for Podium at Canada West Championships
The 2026 Canada West Curling Championships begin this Thursday in Edmonton, with both the men's and women's Dinos teams vying for the title at the Saville Centre. The format features a round-robin stage, with the top four teams from each division advancing to the semifinals on Sunday.
This event marks just the fourth year of the revived Dinos curling program. The men's team has already found success as conference runners-up twice, including last season when Calgary hosted the championships. The women's squad is eager to make its own breakthrough. Two seasons ago, they finished tied for silver but ended up with bronze after tiebreakers. The program's history shows banners from 1973 (women) and 1964 (men), making a new championship a long-sought goal.
Volleyball Block Party Heats Up Jack Simpson Gym
Back in Calgary, both Dinos volleyball teams are preparing for their annual Block Party against provincial rival, the University of Alberta. The festivities kick off with the men's match on Friday at 6 p.m. in the Jack Simpson Gym, where the first 200 fans will receive a special Dinos trucker hat. A rematch follows on Saturday at 5:45 p.m.
The Dinos men (4-8) are looking to rebound after a road sweep by the nationally fourth-ranked UBCO Heat. Despite the losses, Calgary played strong against a dominant opponent. They now face another huge test against the No. 3 ranked Alberta Golden Bears (8-2).
The women's team (6-6) also hosts the Alberta Pandas on Friday at 7:45 p.m. and Saturday at 4 p.m. Calgary had a four-game win streak snapped in a tight five-set match against UBCO last weekend. They currently hold eighth place in the tough Canada West conference, with matches against the top three teams looming. The challenge is immense as they face the U SPORTS No. 1 ranked Alberta Pandas (10-2).
Hockey, Basketball, and Wrestling Round Out the Action
In other major matchups, the No. 2 ranked Dinos men's hockey team (17-3) hosts the No. 4 UBC Thunderbirds in a national showdown at Father David Bauer Arena. Games are Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 3 p.m. Calgary started the new year with a road sweep in Regina, showcasing scoring depth with seven different goal scorers.
The Dinos women's hockey team (13-4-3) hits the road to face the top-ranked UBC Thunderbirds in Vancouver. Puck drops Friday at 8 p.m. MT and Saturday at 4 p.m. MT.
Additionally, Dinos basketball, track and field, and wrestling teams are all in competition this week, making it one of the busiest and most exciting periods for the Scarlet & Gold this season.
