NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Monsignor McCoy Colt Baker Thompson and University of Calgary Dinos defensive coordinator Den D'Andrea pose following Thompson's commitment announcement to the USports program made Wednesday at McCoy.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
Baker Thompson likes himself a red football jersey.
The Monsignor McCoy Colt is coming off an excellent senior season where he starred on both sides of the ball with near double-digit kick- and punt-return touchdowns, as well as multiple interceptions.
The Grade 12 student announced Wednesday during a ceremony held at McCoy, that he will play for the University of Calgary Dinos next season.
“It’s a great feeling, super excited, but I couldn’t have done it without my friends, family and my teammates,” Thompson told the News after signing. “They’ve been a huge part of this journey and it’s super exciting to be here in this moment.”
Thompson didn’t start playing football until he was in Grade 10, quitting hockey to hit the gridiron and try the sport. From there, it was about having fun until he just hit his stride and never looked back.
“I was just like playing it to try something new, to have fun and it was for that, just for fun,” Thompson said. “Until this year I started getting better, and then it became a reality, it all came real, it was just a grind and I realized I could go anywhere with it.”
Colts’ head coach Jole Krassman remembers seeing Thompson play touch football and how easily the defensive back ran around everyone else. He encouraged him to play and Krassman is proud to see the growth he’s had in a couple of years.
“He started all three years, this last year he just stepped up and elevated his game,” Krassman said. “He earned himself a spot, all of this is on him. I give a lot of credit back to the other coaches who helped him out with it, but it’s all on him. He put in the work and dedication to make it happen.”
Thompson’s commitment on Wednesday capped off a bright 2024-25 football season for the Colts. After years of losing records, the Colts finished captured the 4A B-side Jerry Dawson championship trophy and finished with a 9-2 record.
Including Thompson, the Colts have six players committed to play football at the postsecondary level next season, the first commitments from the McCoy-Eagle Butte team since 2022.
Jaxon Daniels will play for the Prince George Kodiaks Junior Football Program
Carsen McDonald and Hudson Mastel will play for the University of Montana Northern Lights.
Kohen Osadzuk will play for the Santa Rosa Junior College Bear Cubs team in California.
Reid Vossler will play for the Calgary Colts Junior Football Team.
“This is the first stepping stone, major stepping stone for this program, in turning it around, because now the kids see they can come out of this program if they work hard, that they put in the time and they dedicate to something bigger than themselves,” Krassman said.
“It’s the ultimate team sport, I always say, you can make your dreams come true. Baker, and a lot of our athletes, are going to get scholarships and get opportunities to move out and experience great things in their life because of football. Football can take you places. It’s one of those things you dedicate yourself, it’s hard work, but it can really pay off for you.”
