August 30, 2024

By Jeff Duda

Okotoks Dawgs Academy

The Dawgs Academy is excited to announce the addition of two of its distinguished alumni, Graham Brunner and Soren Graversen, to its coaching staff.

Both Brunner and Graversen bring a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the Dawgs’ development philosophies and culture, having played pivotal roles in the organization’s success during their time as players within the program.

Brunner (Sherwood Park, Alta.), a 2018 graduate of the Dawgs Academy, has been a cornerstone of the Dawgs’ organization for nearly a decade. Over the course of his seven years with the Dawgs, Brunner was integral to the team’s dominance in the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL), contributing to four league championships including the most recent 3-peat.

After graduating from the Academy, Brunner continued to excel at the collegiate level, first at Barton Community College and later at Emporia State University, where he honed his skills as a pitcher. Now, he returns to the Dawgs Academy, where he will primarily work with pitchers across all age groups. His deep knowledge of the game, combined with his passion for mentoring young athletes, makes him a valuable addition to the coaching staff.

Joining Brunner on the coaching staff is Graversen (Calgary, Alta.), a 2017 graduate of Dawgs Academy. Graversen’s baseball journey took him from the fields of Okotoks to the international stage as a member of Team Canada’s Junior National Team. His experience playing at the highest levels of youth baseball, including representing Canada on the global stage, has equipped him with a unique perspective that he now brings back to the Academy.

Graversen continued his baseball career at Indian Hills Community College before moving on to William Penn University. After finishing his collegiate career as a player, Graversen spent two seasons with NCAA D2 Fort Hayes State University as their grad assistant coach.

Graversen has also spent the last two summers coaching the Dawgs’ 15U Black team with Aaron Ethier, most recently coming in second place at the National Championships in Laval, Que. His diverse playing and coaching experience, coupled with his time as a Dawg, makes him an excellent mentor for the next generation of players at the Academy.

The addition of Brunner and Graversen to the coaching staff underscores the Dawgs Academy’s commitment to fostering a strong baseball program that not only develops elite talent but also provides a pathway for its alumni to give back to the community. Both coaches embody the spirit of the Dawgs, having been shaped by the same program they now look to help strengthen.

With Brunner’s focus on pitching and Graversen’s broad experience, Dawgs Academy is poised to continue its tradition of excellence, both on and off the field.