Former University of Calgary Dinos’ quarterback Andrew Buckley has been selected for the Canada West Hall of Fame.
“We are very pleased that Andrew Buckley is being inducted into the Canada West Hall of Fame. Andrew had an outstanding university career as a quarterback and those talents were recognized as he won the Hec Creighton, Russ Jackson and BLG Awards as the top student-athlete in Canada. Andrew was a great leader in our program and was well respected by his teammates, coaches, and opponents,” said Dinos’ head coach Wayne Harris in a statement.
“His achievements on the field gave him the opportunity to play with the Calgary Stampeders at a time when there were no Canadian quarterbacks playing in the CFL. His performance with the Stampeders has provided the pathway for a renewed interest in giving Canadians an opportunity to play quarterback in the CFL.”
Buckley threw for 8,199 yards and 54 touchdowns over five seasons with the Dinos (2011-2015) and won the Hec Crighton Trophy as the top player in U Sports football in back-to-back seasons (2014-15). He is one of only three individuals to win the award multiple times since the start of the century alongside quarterbacks Tommy Denison (2002-2003) and Erik Glavic (2007, 2009).
The Calgary native ranks first all-time in Canada West history in single-season total touchdowns (28 in 2014), second all-time in career completion percentage (66.8 percent), and third all-time in single-season passing yards (3,162 in 2015).
Buckley was selected in the seventh round, 62nd overall, in the 2015 CFL Draft by the Calgary Stampeders. He participated in that year’s training camp before returning to the Dinos for his final season of U Sports eligibility.
The six-foot, 205-pound passer played two seasons with the Stamps (2016-17) and completed 75 percent of his passes for 326 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He also carried the ball 30 times for 108 yards and three touchdowns before retiring in May 2018 to pursue medical school.
The Canada West Hall of Fame was established in 2019 and features over 130 inductees. Some notable football players who have been inducted include slotback Jason Clermont, quarterback Greg Vavra, and defensive lineman Israel Idonije.
