Three Dawgs Academy players announce NCAA commitments

Dawgs Academy outfielder Dallas Tanaka (Okotoks, Alta.) recently announced his commitment to Pepperdine University. Photo: Dawgs Academy

October 15, 2026

Official Okotoks Dawgs News Release

OKOTOKS, ALTA. — Three current Dawgs Academy players recently committed to top NCAA Division I baseball programs, adding to a legacy of Dawgs graduating to the highest levels of college baseball.

Ethan Renaud committed to Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, N.C.), Brooks Froese to Kansas State University (Manhattan, Kan.) and Dallas Tanaka to Pepperdine University (Malibu, Calif.).

The commitments add to the Dawgs’ tradition of graduating players to leading NCAA Division I programs, including in the past few years:

- Kayden Armitage - Indiana University

- Taye Thierman, Josh Mills, AJ Rogers - Coastal Carolina University

- Will Labonte, LC Larouche, Leo Cote, Matthew Tran, Austin Collins, Xander Guedes – University of Portland

- Tim Piasentin, Max Poirier - University of Miami

- Jack Bello, Max Hartman – Washington State University

- Declan Spooner - St. John’s University

- Jerome Pare, Brandon Paez, Adam Beamin – North Dakota State University

- Eric Machej – Illinois State University

The college track record comes while Dawgs continue to enjoy success in the professional ranks. This past year former Dawg, Tristan Peters (Winkler, Man.) was an MLB All-Star with the Chicago White Sox, Matt “Tugboat” Williamson (Ladner, B.C.) made his major league debut with the San Francisco Giants, and Eric Hartman (St. Albert, Alta.) was named the No. 1 prospect of the Atlanta Braves.

Former Dawgs, Andrew Kittredge (Baltimore Orioles) and Kody Funderburk (Minnesota Twins) also had solid seasons in the majors. Original Dawg and former New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers closer and now Brewers Pitching Coordinator, Jim Henderson (Calgary, Alta.), is headed to the World Series with the club.

Dawgs Academy OF/RHP Ethan Renaud (Okotoks, Alta.) has committed to Wake Forest University. Photo: Dawgs Academy

Ethan Renaud — Wake Forest University

Born and raised in Okotoks, Renaud has committed to Wake Forest University, a top ranked NCAA program. Renaud has been a Dawg since he was 12 when he joined the Dawgs’ 13U team. This past season, he was a key member of the Dawgs’ 18U Black team when the club captured the inaugural Road to Okotoks National Championship.

Dawgs Academy infielder Brooks Froese (Red Deer, Alta.) recently committed to Kansas State University. Photo: Dawgs Academy

Brooks Froese — Kansas State University

A newcomer to the Dawgs Academy, Froese has accepted a scholarship to the nationally recognized, Wildcats of Kansas State University. Originally from Red Deer, Alta., Froese looked to take the next step in his baseball career by joining the Dawgs Academy this past fall. An outstanding middle infielder, Froese is projected to be an impact player on the Dawgs’ 18U Black as the club vies to repeat as Road to Okotoks National Champions.

Dallas Tanaka — Pepperdine University

Tanaka has accepted a scholarship to NCAA, Division 1, Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif. Tanaka is an Okotoks native who joined the Dawgs Academy program as an 11-year-old. He enjoyed success on the Dawgs’ 13U and 15U teams before taking a huge step forward this past fall with the Dawgs’ 18U Black where he attracted the attention of several college programs. Dallas’ dad, Kevin Tanaka, was a collegiate player with Hawaii Pacific and continues to be a coach in the Dawgs Academy.