Bryce McCall

Huskies safety Bryce McCall sits on the verge of entering the CIS record books.

McCall  has been a menace for opposing teams’ quarterbacks his entire university career. Now midway through his final year of eligibility with the Dogs he has 20 career interceptions, only one away from tying a CIS record.

Only three other players have tallied 20 interceptions in their university playing days, including Huskies alumni Bob Coffin who played with the club from 1970-74.

McCall has one interception so far this season but says his focus is on something bigger than the record.

“If the opportunity came to break the record it would be really special but right now that’s not the focus, winning is the focus,” McCall said. “I came here four years ago to win a Vanier Cup and I haven’t done it yet. That’s the ultimate goal and there is nothing else that means more to me.”

Originally from Regina, McCall had offers to play for other universities but still believes the Huskies were the right choice for him.

“You can’t beat the program and the coaches that are here. The program is so deep in tradition and the community rallies around the team so much,” McCall said.

“I was pretty excited about coming here after high school and looking back now I’m so thankful I made that choice.”

McCall attended Michael A. Riffel Catholic High School in Regina and played high school football for the Riffel Royals. He says his parents are his biggest fans and credits his father, who was a teacher and football coach at Riffel, for teaching him the game.

“My dad taught me how to catch and run with a football as soon as I could walk. He coached me through high school and taught me how to work hard, how to continue to get better everyday and to never taking anything for granted.”

Off the field McCall has recently switched from studying business to agriculture. The football star says he is passionate about the new agriculture program dealing with renewable resource management. McCall doesn’t count his time studying business as a waste, though. In fact, he already owns his own business, Astro Jump Saskatoon.

“We set up inflatable castles for kids parties and community events. When I’m not at football practice, I’m out delivering bouncy castles,” said McCall, who owns the business with Rylund Hunter, a former linebacker for the Huskies. The two took over the business at the beginning of the summer.

The fifth-year player admits that it’s hard to find time to relax while balancing football, school and owning a business. However, he thinks that he might have to find a new hobby once his eligibility runs out at the end of this season.

“Life has been focused on football for so long that I guess I’ll find out what I’m interested in besides football after this season,” McCall said.

“For the past so many years it’s been eat, sleep and work out for football,” added McCall who will be gladly continuing the routine for the remainder of the season in his final bid for a national title.

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Photo: Raisa Pezderic/The Sheaf