Dogs’ Breakfast supporters help student-athletes face the financial blitz

As an offensive lineman for the Huskie football team, Ryan Breadner has spent his entire playing career protecting his quarterback and teammates. Listed at 6’7” and 325 pounds, Breadner is well equipped to handle any physical challenges at the line of scrimmage. “I don’t know if I decided to play o-line as much as it was decided for me,” he said. “My size makes me a perfect fit. I grew to love the o-line because of the sense of pride I take in protecting my team.”

However, when it comes to financial challenges off the field, like many students, Breadner could use some backup.

Thanks to the generosity of donors, Breadner was a recipient of a Huskie Foundation Football Scholarship. The $2,500 he earned from the scholarship was used to help cover his tuition. “Normally, I would have to pay for my education either out of my own pocket, or with the help of family,” he said. “When I called my grandfather and told him about the award, he joked, ‘Well that's wonderful. Now I don't have to sell my truck!’"

Breadner’s journey to the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) is unique compared to most student-athletes. Ryan came to the U of S from Cherokee, Texas. Known as “Tex” by his teammates, he first came to the U of S in high school as a spring camp invitee for a tryout with the Huskies. During tryouts and far from home, Breadner received tragic news that his best friend back in Texas had died in a car accident.

“When I got the news, the coaches and the rest of the team were there to support me,” he said. “The compassion and sense of comfort I experienced that day went a long way in my decision to move 2,500 kilometers to come to the U of S. When you find people of that high calibre you want to surround yourself with them.”

While he concedes that it’s challenging to balance academics and athletics, Breadner has ambitious aspirations. A student in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources, his focus involves addressing global food insecurity. “There are eight billion people in the world and only so much food,” he said. “The challenges in the future are going to be feeding people, and knowing I can be a part of the solution by breeding better crops and fighting new diseases is exciting to me.”

The Dogs' Breakfast event, presented this year by Holiday Inn Express & Suites and Staybridge Suites, is the largest fundraiser for the Huskies Football Foundation. The foundation was established in 2001 with the mission to support Huskie football players with funding for scholarships.  Since the first Dogs’ Breakfast in 2001, $1.5 million has been raised, translating into 550 scholarships. This year’s event aims to raise $80,000 to fund 25-30 scholarships.

"Dogs’ Breakfast and the work done by the Huskie Football Foundation is paramount to the sustained success of our football program,” said head coach Scott Flory.  “The scholarships provide our athletes with some relief from the financial burdens of a post-secondary education.  We are also able to provide academic assistance over and above to ensure our student athletes succeed in class room as well as on the field of play. It means so much to our football program and we are grateful for all the support.”

For the organizers of the Dogs’ Breakfast, the reward comes in not just raising funds for scholarships, but for the bonds that are often made between donor and student-athlete. “The donors know how much this means to students,” said Wayne Wilson, chairperson of the event. “When you see donors who become so attached to the students’ success, it does your heart good and is a great reminder of why Huskie student-athletes are special.”

“The donors are very important to our success. Without donations, it’s possible that some student-athletes can’t afford a university education. We can’t do what we do without them,” said Breadner. “The money that they donated didn't just pay for books and classes, it changed someone’s life. They now have the chance to come here to get a world-class education and make a new family for life.” 

Tickets are still available for this year’s Dogs’ Breakfast, Thursday, May 3 at Prairieland Park. This year’s guest speaker is Tony Mandarich, a former standout at Michigan State University and second overall pick in the 1989 NFL draft.

To make a donation to the Huskies Football Foundation or to set up a gift for Huskies Athletics to support scholarships for student-athletes like Ryan Breadner, please contact: 

Michael Jenkins

Director Development & Marketing, Huskie Athletics

University of Saskatchewan

(306) 966-1108

michael.jenkins@usask.ca