April 25 - Bison football Head Coach Brian Dobie is well known for recruiting all over the country in his never ending quest to make the Bison football program stronger. However, his two latest recruits are both local products who have honed their skills in Manitoba and both figure to be impact players for the Black and Gold.

Charles Bazilewich is a 6'1" 245lb linebacker and long snapper who comes to the program from the Valley Huskers of the BCFC where he was a 2001 conference All-Star and was also instrumental in helping his team to the BCFC final versus the Okanagan Sun. Bazilewich may have played his junior football in B.C. but he is without a doubt Manitoba born and trained, having played his minor football in the North Winnipeg Nomads system and his High School ball for Rick Hudson at Sisler.

Bazilewich, who only just turned 22 in March, was one of five junior players invited to the CFL combines earlier this month where he impressed scouts, particularly with his strength, bench pressing 225lbs 26 times. Bazilewich has also been invited to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers training camp beginning in June, the first junior player to be extended an invitation to a Bomber camp since 1990.

Head Coach Brian Dobie is very pleased that Bazilewich has decided to come home to pursue his football career, stating that he is one of the best available linebackers and athletes in the country. Dobie has recruited Bazilewich for a number of years and calls him one of the best local products to come out of Manitoba since All-Canadian linebacker Scott Coe. Dobie is also excited about Bazilewich's ability as a long snapper, noting that it is a difficult position to fill, particularly at the College level.

Richard Sylvester comes to the program from the provincial champion Oak Park Raiders and if there is one word to describe him, it is speed. The 6'1" 200lb tailback/cornerback comes with speed to burn and not only will he play football, he will also run track for Claude Berube. Sylvester won the 100m dash at last year's provincial High School track and field championships and was also an integral part of the Raiders' Championship run.

Sylvester's athleticism and ability to play both sides of the ball give Dobie and his staff a lot of different options as to where they will use the speedster, a nice situation for any coach to have. Coach Dobie also states that Sylvester is without a doubt the fastest back to come to the program since Craig Carr and also likens the combination of size and speed that Sylvester possesses, to the current Edmonton Eskimo.