Cole Ricken with his father

By Lisa Parent

The UofA Golden Bears snag Medicine Hat football star

Jul 31, 2023 | 6:55 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The new school year will soon bring another generation of Medicine Hat graduates to universities across the country. The University of Alberta will be welcoming one of Medicine Hat’s young football players onto their team.

Local Cole Ricken had a successful last year of high school, receiving athlete of the year award at Hat High. He played receiver and defensive back on the Hat High football team.

Previously, Ricken has received national recognition being identified by Off The Block Scouting as number 52 in the national draft list. He also played with the CFC in a National Prospect game, which brings together top Canadian high school football talent and was televised on TSN.

But football isn’t the only sport Ricken has excelled in, he also medalled at provincials for track and field. He says track and running has helped shape him into the strong football player he is today. This skill caught the eye of the UofA Golden Bears football team, after Ricken attended football camps. The UofA quickly pushed to have Ricken on the team with a scholarship opportunity.

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“Well, they were very interested right off the start. I received my offer probably about ten months before I actually committed to the school, they seemed the most interested,” said Ricken.

He added, “they’re not just this school that is offering me, ’cause other schools are offering, they obviously have a plan, they see me in their defensive lineup. So that’s why I chose UofA.”

But Ricken said he plans to come back home often, “I’m going to miss the hometown a lot, the friday night lights, I’m going to miss that the most.”

Ricken will be attending UofA in the faculty of Education, and moves to Edmonton on August 9th to start a football training camp.