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Weekend wrap: Heat and sun recipe for success in women’s soccer Lions first win of season

Lions soccer players in their game against Brock University

The York University Lions women’s soccer team continued its search for its first win of the season in home game action Sunday and emerged with the victory after a late goal by Haley Walsh broke a deadlock en route to a 2-1 win over the Brock University Badgers at Alumni Field.

woman dressed in red soccer lions clothing moves a soccer ball along a field
Christina Morelli (centre) plays in the weekend game against the Brock Badgers

Heading into this game, the Lions had been victorious in the previous 15 games they have played against the Badgers. The heat on the field matched the warm weather, making for an exciting afternoon match.

The first half saw both teams match aggression and intensity. There were many near misses and outstanding catches by goalkeepers Taylor Grant of the Lions and Marilena Spagnola of the Badgers. Despite everyone’s best efforts both teams walked away scoreless at halftime.  More details on the York Lions website.

Men’s soccer Lions start scoring fast to secure win against Badgers

The York University Lions men’s soccer team took on the visiting Brock University Badgers Sunday at Alumni Field looking to extend a 15-game winning streak against their opponents and they did just that, winning 3-0 for their fifth win of the season.

The pressure was on for the Lions’ men, as their game immediately followed the women’s team’s first win of the season. The Lions rise to a 5-2 season record, while the Badgers’ season record drops to 2-4-1.

The Lions wasted no time asserting their dominance on their home field. Dylan Carreiro started the game with a goal. He sped past Brock’s defenders in the second minute of play. In the 28th minute of play, Jonathan Lao scored on a free kick just outside the 18-yard box.  More details.

Field hockey Lions start 2017 campaign with two huge shutout wins

The York University Lions field hockey team opened the 2017 season with a pair of dominant victories on Saturday, taking down the University of Waterloo Warriors 8-0 and the host Western University Mustangs 5-0 in London, Ont.

Head coach Zeeshan Minhas said before the season that the team would have a better offensive attack this year and he was proven right immediately. With 13 goals in their first two games, the Lions have already scored half the total number of goals they scored all of last year.

Rookie forward Jaslan Stirling made an impressive debut, scoring three goals in the win over Waterloo, including the game winner with the first tally in the fifth minute. She also scored in the 37th and 59th minutes.  More details.

Women’s rugby Lions defeated by No. 7 Gaels after big second half by Queen’s

The York University Lions women’s rugby team kept the game close in the first half but was ultimately defeated by a score of 31-12 by the No. 7 nationally ranked Queen’s University Gaels at Alumni Field on Friday night.

It took until 12 minutes in for the first points to go up on the scoreboard, courtesy of a try by Lauren Murray, and Dominique Rumball made her first of three converts on the night for a 7-0 Queen’s lead.

Just two minutes later the Lions got onto the scoreboard on a try by Tobi Owotomo, but the Gaels extended their lead before the half with a try by McKinley Hunt to make it 12-5.  More details.

Weekend wrap: Men’s soccer Lions dominate No. 9 Marauders for big home victory

The York University Lions men’s soccer team got its Thursday night game against the No. 9 nationally ranked McMaster University Marauders off to an exciting start with Milan Beader opening the scoring in the second minute of play en route to a dominant 5-2 victory over their fiercest rivals.

The York University Lions men's soccer team won 5-2 against No. 9 nationally ranked McMaster University Marauders on Sept. 7
The York University Lions men’s soccer team won 5-2 against No. 9 nationally ranked McMaster University Marauders on Sept. 7

The crowd at Alumni Field, made up of more than 2,000 fans in attendance as part of the annual Frosh Frenzy festivities, was thrilled by the terrific start and the high energy in the air remained throughout the game.

The Lions took the field unranked in the U SPORTS top 10 for the first time since 2010 and were the underdogs against the No. 9 Marauders, but they played like the favourites early and rolled to their third victory of the season. More details on the York Lions website.

One night later, the Lions extended their winning streak to three with a 3-1 victory over the Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks on the road thanks to a hat trick by Steve Kloutsouniotis.

For the second game in a row, it didn’t take long for the Lions to get on the scoreboard as Kloutsouniotis scored his first of the night in the fifth minute of play, with an assist going to Milan Beader. More details.

No. 9 Gee-Gees escape with narrow win over football Lions

The York University Lions football team hung tough throughout the game before coming up just short in a 26-17 loss to the No. 9 nationally ranked University of Ottawa Gee-Gees on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field.

The Lions took the lead with 4:56 remaining in the third quarter on a six-yard touchdown catch by Jesse Amankwaa that made the score 17-16, and held it until there was just under six minutes remaining in the game, when Ottawa’s Lewis Ward kicked what turned out to be the winning field goal to give the Gee-Gees a 19-17 lead. Donald Shaw added a rushing touchdown with 41 seconds remaining for the final points of the game. More details.

Morelli’s late goal gives women’s soccer Lions draw with Marauders

York University Lions fourth-year midfielder Christina Morelli scored a much-needed goal in extra time to end Thursday evening’s women’s soccer match in a 2-2 draw against the McMaster University Marauders. Morelli’s goal came out of a handball infraction resulting in a penalty kick, wrapping up a four-goal game at Alumni Field.

The first goal of the game was scored by Marauder Maila Carboni in the 31st minute of play. The Marauders held this lead for the remainder of the first half, and continued it into the second half with a goal by midfielder Faye Stravropoulos to make it 2-0. More details.

The next night, the Lions were defeated by a score of 2-0 by the Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks on the road in Waterloo, Ont., after the home squad scored twice in a six-minute span early in the second half.

The Golden Hawks controlled play for much of the first half and outshot the Lions 6-1 in that span, but the game remained scoreless thanks to the strong play of York goalkeeper Tamara Orlando. More details.

Tennis Lions split season-opening matches against Varsity Blues

The York University Lions women’s tennis team defeated the University of Toronto Varsity Blues 6-1 in their opening match of the 2017 season, while the men lost 5-2 to the same team.

For the Lions women, the result marks their 21st straight regular season victory over an Ontario University Athletics (OUA) opponent dating back to the start of the 2014 season.

They won five of the six singles matches on the morning. Julia Khalilova, Heather Hills, Sara Krupica, Eugenie Lim Ah Tock and Isabella Baston, playing in the second through fifth spots, respectively, were all victorious in straight sets and none of them lost more than three games in a set.

On the men’s side, Tre Eli and Georg Zoidl won their singles matches in convincing fashion. Eli was victorious 6-3, 6-4 while Zoidl won 6-2, 6-2. Eli also teamed up with rookie Andreas Findlay to win York’s lone doubles point. More details.

Reigning champion Gryphons defeat rugby Lions in York home opener

The York University Lions women’s rugby team took on the University of Guelph Gryphons Friday at Alumni Field in their first home game of the season. The Lions played their hearts out, but faced a tough loss of 76-10 to the reigning OUA champions.

Third-year centre Megan Pakulis scored a try in the 28th minute. Catherine Belanger made the subsequent conversion and a three-point penalty goal in the 36th minute for the Lions’ points. More details.

Former Lion Brittany Crew strikes gold at FISU Games

2017 Universiade in Taipei

Brittany Crew led from start to finish in the shot put competition at the 29th International University Sports Federation (FISU) Summer Universiade games in Taipei. Crew won the gold medal in the event, her first major international championship win.

York U student Brittany Crew
Brittany Crew at the 2017 Universiade in Taipei. Photo: Mathieu Belanger

Crew, a former York University Lions track and field standout and current York U student, registered a 17.74-metre throw on her first attempt to take an early lead. On her third try, she reached the 18-metre mark and, with the gold medal locked up before her final throw, she bettered her score with a throw of 18.34 metres.

“I knew that I had a really good chance winning this event and I knew that I had to get a really good throw out in the beginning [and] kind of shut down some girls,” said Crew. “This is my biggest medal I’ve got on the world stage so far. I’m super proud of myself and I’m really happy my coach got to be here to experience it with me. I can’t express the feelings I’m having right now.”

Crew is now a two-time Universiade medallist after winning the bronze medal in 2015 in Gwangju.

The result caps off a tremendous few weeks of competition for Crew, who recently finished sixth at the world championships in London for Canada’s best-ever result in the event.

Crew spent three seasons with the Lions and remains the track and field team’s record holder in both the shot put and weight throw. In her last two years competing in U SPORTS, she swept the throwing events at the OUA and U SPORTS championships and was named the field events performer of the year in both seasons. She is also a four-time U SPORTS first-team all-Canadian and twice earned York University’s female athlete of the year award.

York Lions fall in season opener to Western Mustangs

The York University Lions football team was defeated by a score of 66-3 by the Western University Mustangs in the season opener for both teams at Alumni Field on Sunday afternoon.

The Lions held the Mustangs to a field goal on their first drive and a punt on their second, but a 54-yard touchdown pass from Chris Merchant to Brett Ellerman late in the quarter gave Western a 9-0 lead. An interception returned for a touchdown by Bleska Kabamba with 1:37 remaining in the quarter put Western up 16-0.

Western blocked two punt attempts by rookie kicker Dante Mastrogiuseppe in the second quarter to give its offence short fields, and Cole Majoros also returned a punt 90 yards for a touchdown in the frame.

Mastrogiuseppe scored the lone points of the game for the Lions with 20 seconds remaining in the second quarter on a 12-yard field goal, and the score was 34-3 at the half.

Warren Craney

“We played one of the best teams in the country and they showed why today,” said Lions head coach Warren Craney. “I’m not happy with how we played on special teams, I won’t say it cost us the game but it was a major contributor in the score. I thought our offence played extremely well, we controlled the clock which is what we wanted them to do, and they got first downs and dug us out of holes. Defensively, we battled in the first half. The second half was a letdown but it’s nothing we can’t fix.”

The Mustangs continued to roll in the third quarter, putting up 30 points, and added two points on a team-conceded safety in the fourth quarter.

York quarterback Brett Hunchak finished 15-of-31 for 176 yards and two interceptions. Merchant was 11-of-23 for 221 yards, with two touchdowns and one pick. Stevenson Bone came in late in the game and went 4-4 for 151 yards and a score.

The Mustangs ran the ball 43 times in the game and picked up a total of 258 yards on the ground. Alex Taylor led the way with 125 yards on 15 carries, while Cedric Joseph scored a pair of touchdowns.

Defensive back Ian Lawrence recorded a game-high 9.5 tackles, while Desi Dixon and Jacob Janke had six each.

The Lions will hit the road next weekend for their first away game of the season, heading to Waterloo, Ont., to face the University of Waterloo Warriors in a game that begins at 1pm on Labour Day Monday.

Lions open season against Mustangs on Sunday

The 2017 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) campaign officially gets underway on Sunday, Aug. 27, when the York University Lions football team hosts the Western Mustangs in the season opener for both teams.

Kickoff is set for 1pm at Alumni Field, and the game can also be seen live online on OUA.tv.

The Lions will get to test themselves against one of the best football teams in the country right away with the visit from the Mustangs, who reached the Yates Cup final in each of the past two years and most recently won the championship in 2013.

For the Lions, Sunday’s game is a chance to show the hometown fans how much they’ve grown this off-season. After a promising 2016 campaign, in which they picked up a pair of wins and had a chance to qualify for the playoffs on the final day of the regular season, the Lions had a tremendous off-season in recruiting and workouts, and are poised to continue making noise in the conference.

Both of their wins last year came on home turf and the offence put on a show, amassing more than 50 points in each contest as part of a pair of lopsided victories over Waterloo and Windsor.

The Mustangs, meanwhile, will be taking the field for the first time since their collapse in last year’s OUA final, where they led Laurier by 21 points in the fourth quarter but relinquished the lead late and then lost on the final play of the game. They have had all off-season to regroup and, under the direction of five-time OUA coach of the year Greg Marshall, will no doubt be ready to go at kickoff on Sunday.

On Sunday, York and Western will face off for the first time since 2015 and the Lions will be looking to finally get past a dominant Mustangs squad that has won all but one meeting between the two teams.

Tickets can be purchased online at yorkulions.ca/ticketing in advance, or at the gate on game day.

Lions football team poised for success in 2017-18 season

Prior to each of the past two seasons, York Lions football head coach Warren Craney says the team he’s assembled is his best one yet at York, and the 2017 version of the Lions is no different.

Thanks to tremendous growth from his stellar 2015 recruiting class and another strong crop off rookies, Craney believes this year’s squad tops the others and will prove it on the field.

“Our expectations are very high this year,” he said. “We are an extremely talented, skilled football team and we are ready to challenge for a playoff spot. We expect our offence to expand on its performance from last year and the defence to make drastic improvements.”

After a disappointing finish to last season, the squad got to work immediately to get better in preparation for this year. While the coaches were out recruiting a third straight impressive class, new strength and conditioning coach Kamau Peterson, who was also named the offensive coordinator, established a program that was unlike any other.

“All of our efforts went into speed and power training,” said Craney about the program. “We ran and lifted more than anyone else in the OUA (Ontario University Athletics), I can guarantee that. We pushed our players to the limit and they completely bought in. The outcome has been remarkable: We are still a young football team, but we are stronger and faster than we ever have been and it shows.”

The strength of last year’s squad was the offence and this year should be no different. The Lions are fortunate to have third-year quarterback Brett Hunchak under centre. In just two seasons, he has already proven to be one of the best at his position in the OUA after finishing among the top five in passing yards and touchdowns. After a second straight summer at a CFL training camp – this year with Edmonton after spending time last year in Calgary – he is poised for an even bigger campaign.

He will have no shortage of offensive weapons at his disposal. His younger brother Colton Hunchak was an OUA all-star as a sophomore after finishing third in the conference in receiving touchdowns, sixth in total receptions and seventh in receiving yards, while veteran Adam Adeboboye had a breakout campaign to rank in the top 10 in catches and yards. The receiving corps also includes Alex Daley, whose prowess in the return game put him fourth in the OUA in all-purpose yards, and incoming freshman Luther Hakunavanhu, another player from Western Canada who’s already turning heads.

In the backfield, 2015 OUA rookie of the year Jesse Amankwaa is healthy again after missing most of last season with an injury, and Kayden Johnson, a dual-sport athlete who won an OUA silver medal in the heptathlon last season, was fifth in the conference in yards per rush while taking over the starting role.

They will play behind a rebuilt offensive line that has many new faces, but projects not to miss a beat from last year.

“The unit is built around Ryan Farr, who has been injured for most of the last two seasons but is finally healthy now and has looked like a beast in training camp,” said Craney. “We were fortunate to have seniors Chris Smith and Anthony DiNardo return and the two of them have done a lot in the last six months to get bigger, stronger and more athletic. And then we added Aarmin Purewal and Lane Raposo, who are step-in players and legitimate CFL prospects, and we are beyond excited to have them here. We also have rookies James Duffey Jr. and Chavaughn Barrett, who are everything we expected of them so far, and a bunch of other young kids to develop. We feel like we are in great shape at this position.”

The Lions’ defence remains a work in progress and will have a new leader in defensive coordinator Sammy Okpro. He has plenty of talent to work with across all the positions. The secondary will benefit from the return of Jacob Janke, who went down in the opener last year and missed the rest of the season. Fellow defensive back Ian Lawrence is coming off an East West Bowl appearance and a career year in which he ranked sixth on the team in tackles, and newcomer Desi Dixon brings an abundance of experience from his high school playing days in his hometown of San Diego.

The defensive line features two reigning OUA all-rookie team members in Rossini Sandjong-Djabome and Skye King, as well as fourth-year veteran Matthew Skoko. Skoko started his Lions career as a walk-on but has become a fearsome defensive end who recorded a pair of sacks in the East West Bowl earlier this year.

Behind them, the linebackers lost more to graduation than any other group, but the unit has a handful of players ready to step in right away. The leader is Andrew Smith, who was third in team tackles in his first year last season, and the group also includes Damian Jamieson and Alexei Brazeau, as well as rookie Philippe Girouard, a local product from Newmarket and the York Region Lions.

Craney has been touting his team’s progress in recent years and the squad has responded in kind. The next step is the playoffs and he has no doubt his team is ready to battle for a spot.

“We have the talent in place at all position groups. Now we need to compete, and we need to face adversity head on and not give up when things get tough. If we can do those things, this is a team that can contend.”

The regular season begins on Sunday, Aug. 27, when the Lions welcome the Yates Cup finalist Western Mustangs to Alumni Field for the opener.

Former Lion Brittany Crew makes Canadian history in shot put event

Former York University Lions women’s track and field athlete Brittany Crew finished in sixth place in the shot put at the world championships in London, recording the best-ever result for a Canadian woman in the event.
Crew, an East York, Ont., native who spent three seasons with the Lions and is still a student at York studying kinesiology and health science, recorded a throw of 18.21m to become the first Canadian woman to finish among the top eight in the world.

She advanced to the final with a throw of 18.01m in the preliminary round the day before.

Crew has been on the rise in her sport over the past year. She qualified for the Rio Olympics last summer and this year set a new Canadian record in the shot put with a distance of 18.58m at an event in Arizona in May. She followed that up by winning the national championship in July. Crew will also represent Canada at the International University Sports Federation (FISU) World University Games later this month in Chinese Taipei, where she will look to improve upon the bronze medal she won two years ago in Gwangju, South Korea.

In her last two years competing in U SPORTS, Crew swept the throwing events at the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and U SPORTS championships and was named the field events performer of the year in both seasons. She is also a four-time U SPORTS first-team all-Canadian and twice earned York’s female athlete of the year award.

York University announces Sport Hall of Fame inductees

York University Athletics & Recreation and the School of Kinesiology & Health Science, Faculty of Health, will welcome six new inductees to the York University Sport Hall of Fame at the annual dinner and induction ceremony on Friday, Sept. 22.

Four former student-athletes and two coaches/administrators will be inducted in 2017. This year’s inductees are tennis player Peter Bedard, football player Jeff Johnson, and hockey players Melanie Roach and Greg Rolston, as well as former football coach Frank Cosentino and longtime administrator Patricia Murray.
Created in 1980, the Sport Hall of Fame honours individuals who have significantly contributed to York’s interuniversity sport program as athletes, coaches and administrators, and who have exemplified the spirit and ideals of York University sports in their professional and community life. The selection committee consisted of varsity alumni, current student-athletes and several university administrators.

2017 inductees

Peter Bedard (MBA ’93) starred for the York tennis team for five years and helped the program win conference medals each year. He won two Ontario University Athletics Association (OUAA) team titles (1991, 1996), a pair of silver medals (1993, 1995) and a bronze in 1992. As part of the championships, he also won three doubles gold medals and a silver, and was a three-time OUAA all-star, the first player in program history to receive the honour three times. Bedard went on to compete for several years provincially and nationally, winning four U.S. senior national father-son championships and multiple Ontario doubles championships in the open category.

Jeff Johnson (BA ’00) is one of York’s most decorated football players. He burst onto the scene in 1996, winning the Peter Gorman Trophy as Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) rookie of the year to become the first national major award winner in program history, and the Norm Marshall Trophy as Ontario University Athletics (OUA) rookie of the year. He was honoured throughout his career at the conference and national levels, earning three OUA first-team all-star selections (1996, 1997, 1999) and two CIS second-team all-Canadian awards (1997, 1999). He holds the York record for most career rushing yards (3358) and carries (553) and ranks third in yards per carry (6.1). Johnson signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as an undrafted free agent in 2000 and went on to a 14-year career in the CFL, spending two seasons in Hamilton and 12 in Toronto, and winning a pair of Grey Cups with the Argonauts in 2004 and 2012.

Melanie Roach (BA ’03) is the most decorated women’s hockey player in York history. She spent five years with the team (1998-03) and won a conference silver medal in her first year in 1999. She was honoured as the OUA rookie of the year that season, the first and only York recipient of the award, and was named an OUA all-star in each of her five seasons with the team, including three times on the first team (1999, 2000, 2002). She was the first all-Canadian in program history, earning a place on the first team in 2000, and became the only two-time all-Canadian with her second selection in 2002. She was named York’s female athlete of the year in 2002 and remains the program’s all-time leading scorer with 108 points in 98 regular-season games played.

Greg Rolston (BA ’89) was a prolific scorer during the most successful era of men’s hockey at York. He helped the squad reach the national tournament in each of his four seasons (1985-89), winning back-to-back Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union (CIAU) titles in 1988 and 1989 to go along with three OUAA championships (1986-88) and a silver medal in his final season. He was a three-time OUAA first-team all-star, one of only a trio of players in program history to achieve the honour three times, and in 1987 he received the Jack Kennedy Trophy as the most outstanding player of the OUAA championship series. Rolston, who was selected in the 10th round (184th overall) by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft, remains York’s all-time leading goal scorer with 92, and he is fifth all-time in scoring with 159 points.

Frank Cosentino coached the York football team for seven seasons (1978-80, 1984-87) and has the best winning percentage in program history. He coached the team to its first winning season, its inaugural OUAA playoff berth and its first national ranking, and he was the recipient of the OUAA West coach of the year award in 1978. Throughout his career, he coached 31 OUAA all-stars, two CIAU all-Canadians and had more than 10 players drafted into the CFL. He was also the former chair and director of the Department of Physical Education & Athletics at York, and served as a professor from 1981-97. As a player himself, Cosentino won a pair of Yates Cup championships with the Western Mustangs (1957, 1959), including as captain for the second one, and had a 10-year playing career in the CFL where he twice won Grey Cup titles (1963, 1965) with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He earned his PhD in sport history from the University of Alberta and then went back to Western as an assistant professor and the head football coach, winning two Vanier Cup titles in 1971 and 1974, and then becoming the chair of the Undergraduate Physical Education Department before coming to York. He has since authored or co-authored 17 books on the history of sport in Canada, including four on football.

Patricia Murray had a long, impressive career as a coach and administrator at York University (1972-10). She was the director of Sport & Recreation for 13 years (1995-08) and, while under her watch, the Lions varsity program won 29 conference titles. During her tenure, the department hired full-time coaches in soccer and women’s hockey, expanded its fitness centre and added team rooms and a strength and conditioning facility to the Tait McKenzie Centre. She also provided leadership for two major new facilities (York Stadium and Canlan Ice Sports) and introduced excellence awards to provide financial support for continuing student-athletes. At York, she was also the head coach of the badminton and synchronized swimming teams for 20 years and a professor in the School of Kinesiology & Health Science for 38 years. On the university front, she served as a vice-president of Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) for five years, Canada’s chef de mission at the 2005 Summer Universiade and was the president of the OWIAA in 1997, leading to the amalgamation of the OWIAA and the OUAA. She also made an impact at the highest levels of sport, attending six Olympic Games and serving as an executive member of the Canadian Olympic Committee for eight years (1997-05), including four as a vice-president, and president of Synchro Canada for four years (1984-88). She won multiple major awards for her tremendous work, including the Athletic Director of the Year Award (International Region) by NACDA in 2000, the OUA Honour Award in 2008 and the CIS’s Austin-Matthews Award in 2012.

The Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony will take place at The Royalton in Woodbridge, Ont. (8201 Weston Rd.). Tickets are $80 per person and may be purchased online at yorkulions.ca/ticketing. For more information on the event, contact Kim Servinis at 416-736-5982 or kserv@yorku.ca.

York Lions football celebrates 50th season

It’s a big year for the York University Lions football team on the field, and off the field the squad will be celebrating a major milestone with its 50th season.

Established in 1968 by longtime Canadian Football League (CFL) quarterback Nobby Wirkowski, the team, then known as the Yeomen, began interuniversity competition that same season under his direction. Fifty years later, the Lions will take to the pitch with head coach Warren Craney at the helm for the eighth year.

As part of the season-long festivities, two former York football greats will be inducted into the Sport York Hall of Fame in September. Former head coach and York administrator Frank Cosentino and star running back Jeff Johnson, who had a 14-year CFL career after graduating, will be honoured for their tremendous achievements at York.

The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place Friday, Sept. 22, one day before the Lions’ annual Homecoming game. This year’s contest will be extra special, as it is also the Red & Blue Bowl against the rival Toronto Varsity Blues. Kickoff for the game is Saturday, Sept. 23 at 1pm, and York is offering Red and Gold packages to bundle the Hall of Fame and Homecoming weekend into one memorable experience (see below).

The 50th season begins on Sunday, Aug. 27 when the Lions welcome the Western Mustangs to Alumni Field. Also on the home schedule is a Week 3 date with the Ottawa Gee-Gees on Saturday, Sept. 9 and the regular-season home finale on Thursday, Oct. 5 against the defending Yates Cup champion Laurier Golden Hawks.

Packages

All tickets and tailgate with $10 free food truck offering will be free for York alumni, courtesy of York Alumni Relations.

Red Package – $280 (value $320)

  • Football reception event Friday, Sept. 22, 5pm at The Royalton.
  • Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony Friday, Sept. 22, 6pm at The Royalton.
  • One-night stay at Novotel Hotel (includes parking).
  • Red & Blue Bowl/Homecoming game pre-game party, $10 free food truck offering, Saturday, Sept. 23, 11am to 1pm.
  • One ticket to Red & Blue Bowl/Homecoming game, Saturday, Sept. 23 at 1pm.
  • $10 food voucher to be redeemed at football game.
  • Special offer: Saturday, Sept. 23 Toronto Argos vs. Montreal Alouettes, BMO Field (includes tailgating party and 200-level ticket), 4pm pre-game party and 7pm kickoff; $5 per ticket will be donated back to supporting York student-athletes.

Gold Package – $495 (value $550)

  • Football reception event Friday, Sept. 22, 5pm at The Royalton.
  • Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony Friday, Sept. 22, 6pm at The Royalton.
  • Two-night stay at Novotel Hotel (includes parking).
  • Red & Blue Bowl/Homecoming game pre-game party, $10 free food truck offering, Saturday, Sept. 23, 11am to 1pm.
  • Two tickets to Red & Blue Bowl/Homecoming game, Saturday, Sept. 23 at 1pm.
  • $20 food voucher to be redeemed at football game.
  • York Lions prize pack.
  • 50th season T-shirt
  • Special offer: Saturday, Sept. 23 Toronto Argos vs. Montreal Alouettes, BMO Field (includes tailgating party and 200-level ticket), 4pm tailgating and 7pm kickoff; $5 per ticket will be donated back to supporting York student-athletes.

To order your package, visit york.universitytickets.com.

York University is proud to be a NAIG venue for #Team88

AANIIN BOOZHOO, SHE:KON, TANSI, TUNNGASUGIT, WACHAY: Welcome athletes & guests of the North American Indigenous Games to York U!

York University is among several venues in the Greater Toronto Area and surrounding regions that will serve as a venue for the North American Indigenous Games, which provide Indigenous youth, 13 to 19 years of age, with an opportunity to compete in 14 sporting events. York University will also host 1,400 athletes and volunteers in five of its student residences. The games will run July 15 to 23.

In addition to the NAIG opening and closing ceremonies, York University’s Keele campus will be home to a number of sporting competitions. The York Lions Stadium will be the main site for all track and field competitions. Basketball and volleyball competitions will take place in the Tait McKenzie Centre. Wrestling will be held in the Toronto Track & Field Centre. The soccer field adjacent to the Sherman Health Science Research Centre will be the site of the NAIG Cultural Festival, which will feature traditional art and cultural demonstrations, food and craft vendors and information booths along with evening performances. Tickets are free for the sports competitions. CBC.ca will be live streaming 100 hours of the NAIG.

More about the North American Indigenous Games

The games are a multi-sport, multi-disciplinary event involving Indigenous youth from Canada and the United States. In addition to sports competitions, the games offer a vibrant cultural program, showcasing local and North American Indigenous cultural groups and entertainers.

The NAIG, was first held in 1990 in Edmonton, Alberta, and has been staged on seven other occasions since then, in various locations throughout Canada and the United States. Athletes competing in the NAIG must be born of North American Indigenous ancestry. All contingents participating in the NAIG must represent the Indigenous Peoples of a Province/Territory in Canada, or a State/Region in the United States of America. Only athletes registered with a contingent are eligible to compete in the NAIG.

In addition to York University, NAIG is being hosted at multiple sites across the GTA, including McMaster University, Humber College, the University of Toronto Scarborough campus, the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre and Durham College.