Latest News
For over 70 years, the Calgary Booster Club has been dedicated to celebrating, supporting, and promoting amateur sport in Calgary and beyond. Our News section is your source for historical moments, athlete spotlights, event updates, and stories that showcase the impact of sport in our community.
From honoring Sportsperson of the Year recipients to sharing the achievements of young athletes, coaches, and volunteers, we highlight the people and moments that shape Calgary’s sporting legacy. Whether it’s past milestones, upcoming events, or behind-the-scenes insights, this is where you’ll find stories that inspire.
Stay connected, celebrate sport, and be part of the legacy.
Swimmer’s Retirement Lasts Only Two Days
2022-05-23
Calgary swimmer Stephen Calkins has dedicated much of his life to racing. Always close to making a national team, he could never quite get there. So he decided to retire. Then something funny happened. “Kind of weird.”
Read more: Swimmer’s Retirement Lasts Only Two Days
Puck-Chasing Perrett Couldn’t Be Busier, Happier
2022-05-17
Calgary teenager Ryann Perrett is barrelling into a busy stretch. Not that she’s complaining. With the Notre Dame Hounds, she’s currently participating in the Esso Cup. Immediately after that? She’s heading for Hockey Canada’s U18 selection camp. And, don’t forget, high school graduation is right around the corner.
Read more: Puck-Chasing Perrett Couldn’t Be Busier, Happier
Draft-Day Indignity Still Fuels Hunchak
2022-05-10
Colton Hunchak’s evolution from draft-day afterthought to game-day contributor for the Stampeders is impressive. Now the local’s path to the CFL has become a blueprint for up-and-coming football players in Calgary.
Read more: Draft-Day Indignity Still Fuels Hunchak
UCalgary Star Excels On And Off The Track
2022-05-02
Overcoming significant setbacks — burnout and a broken back — UCalgary runner is forging a brilliant career, recently dominating at the Canada West Conference and U Sports levels. Plus, his continued devotion to volunteer work is earning community recognition.
Read more: UCalgary Star Excels On And Off The Track
Reaching 40 Fights, Claggett Going Strong
2022-04-26
With a recent bout in Montreal, Steve Claggett ran his professional fight total to 40. Reaching a milestone like that is never straightforward. “Such a roller coaster,” is what he says. In conversation, the Calgarian runs through the highs and lows of his ongoing boxing career.
Read more: Reaching 40 Fights, Claggett Going Strong
2021 Athlete of the Year Voting
2022-04-25
As we finalize the voting for our 2021 Athletes of the Year, we wanted to hear from you.
[Note: The award reflects the 2021 calendar year. For instance, the Toyko Olympics count; the Beijing Olympics do not.]
Read more: 2021 Athlete of the Year Voting
“Life-Changing” Run Keeps Calgarian Moving
2022-04-18
A decade ago, Melissa Paauwe embraced running — or should we say running embraced her? Now the Calgarian thrives on the paths and trails, explores various running-related ventures, volunteers for a number of groups.
Read more: “Life-Changing” Run Keeps Calgarian Moving
Ski Jumper Recounts History-Making Moment
2022-04-11
Ski jumper Matt Soukup — one of four Calgarians on Canada’s mixed team — discusses the historic bronze in Beijing. From funding to facilities, the crew overcame obstacle after obstacle before its magic moment at the Olympics.
Read more: Ski Jumper Recounts History-Making Moment
Ex-wrestler Embraces Weightlifting, Bound For Commonwealth Games
2022-04-04
Hannah Kaminski had been a promising wrestler till her career was derailed by a shoulder injury. “Then weightlifting found me.” And now the Calgarian has qualified for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in England.
Read more: Ex-wrestler Embraces Weightlifting, Bound For Commonwealth Games
Basketball Referee Retires After 40 Years
2022-03-29
Calgary basketball referee retires after 40 years on the job — with 4,500 games under his belt. Son of an Olympic sprinter, Dick Vanderstam found his calling as an official on the local hoops scene.
Read more: Basketball Referee Retires After 40 Years
Navigating ‘Roadblocks,’ Local Earns Olympic Spot
2022-03-23
Calgarian switches from hockey to speed skating in her mid-teens, works her way through the “roadblocks” of the past couple of years, and earns a spot at the Olympics in Beijing.
Read more: Navigating ‘Roadblocks,’ Local Earns Olympic Spot
Calgarian’s Road To Super Bowl Win
2022-03-14
Calgarian, as video director of the Los Angeles Rams, becomes a Super Bowl champion. After attending Sir Winston Churchill High School and the University of Calgary, he started his football career by joining the Stampeders in 2004.
Read more: Calgarian’s Road To Super Bowl Win
Soroka: On MLB Lockout, Rehab, World Series
2022-03-07
A conversation with Calgary’s Mike Soroka, who shares his thoughts on the MLB lockout, his return-to-play timetable, and experiencing the Atlanta Braves’ championship run.
Read more: Soroka: On MLB Lockout, Rehab, World Series
Drawn By A Lifestyle, Fraser Skis To Olympics
2022-02-28
A freestyle-skiing life appealed to Amy Fraser. The University of Calgary student loved the idea of skiing and travelling the world and having fun. So, at 22 years of age, she tried the sport and rode it all the way to the Olympic Games.
Read more: Drawn By A Lifestyle, Fraser Skis To Olympics
Determined, Cederstrand Is Making A Difference
2022-02-21
Recently named Flames Community Champion, Chris Cederstrand is someone who found ways to thrive after suffering a workplace accident. Now the sledge-hockey ace is devoting his life to helping others.
Read more: Determined, Cederstrand Is Making A Difference
Booster Club Athletes at the 2022 Winter Olympics
2022-02-21
The Calgary Booster Club is proud of all our 2022 Winter Olympics Athletes and, in whatever way it can, will continue to support their dreams.
Read more: Booster Club Athletes at the 2022 Winter Olympics
For Years, Calgarian Stoked Canada’s Luge Fortunes
2022-02-14
After qualifying for four straight Olympics and becoming Canada’s most decorated luger, Alex Gough is now president of Luge Canada and a full-time civil engineer.
Read more: For Years, Calgarian Stoked Canada’s Luge Fortunes
Don Buchignani Inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame
2022-02-09
The Calgary Booster Club is thrilled to see long-time board member and past president Don Buchignani inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame.
Read more: Don Buchignani Inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame
Mom, Firefighter, Broadcaster, Upperton Stays Busy
2022-02-07
The Calgarian, in the decade since retiring from a wonderful bobsleigh career, has continued to pad her professional resume — becoming an award-winning broadcaster and, now, a firefighter.
Read more: Mom, Firefighter, Broadcaster, Upperton Stays Busy
Goalie Coach’s Wisdom Extends Across The City
2022-01-31
Goalie coach stays busy, passing on his hard-earned wisdom to both of the Dinos’ teams, the Calgary Hitmen, the Canadian women’s squad at the Olympics — and his two boys.
Read more: Goalie Coach’s Wisdom Extends Across The City
Winter Nominations and Applications are Now Open
2022-01-26
Every January, the Calgary Booster Club opens nominations and applications for two (2) of our Recognition Awards and two (2) of our Grant Awards.
Read more: Winter Nominations and Applications are Now Open