Toronto Varsity Blues

Last updated

Toronto Varsity Blues
Varsity Blues Logo.svg
University University of Toronto
Association U Sports, CUFLA
Conference OUA
Athletic directorBeth Ali
Location Toronto, Ontario
Varsity teams43
Football stadium Varsity Stadium
Arena Varsity Arena
(Hockey)
FieldDan Lang Field
(Baseball)
Other venues Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport
(Basketball & Volleyball)
SymbolTrue Blue
MascotTrue Blue
NicknameVarsity Blues
Fight song The Blue and White
ColoursBlue and White
   
Website www.varsityblues.ca

The Toronto Varsity Blues are the intercollegiate sports program at the University of Toronto. Its 43 athletic teams regularly participate in competitions held by Ontario University Athletics and U Sports. The Varsity Blues trace their founding to 1877, with the formation of the men's football team. [1] Since 1908, Varsity Blues athletes have won numerous medals in Olympic and Paralympic Games and have also long competed in International University Sports Federation championships, Commonwealth Games, and Pan American Games. [2]

Contents

Varsity sports

The Varsity Blues program has teams in badminton, baseball, basketball, cross country running, curling, fastpitch softball, fencing, field hockey, figure skating, football, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, mountain biking, nordic skiing, rowing, rugby, soccer, squash, swimming, tennis, track and field, volleyball, water polo, and wrestling.

Men's basketball

The Varsity Blues men's basketball team competes in the 18-team Ontario University Athletics conference, in the Central division. [3] The team has won 14 Wilson Cup conference championships, second only to the Western Mustangs, including the first ever awarded for the 1908–1909 season. [4] The team most recently won the Wilson Cup in 1995. [4] The team has yet to play in a national championship gold medal game. The team's head coach has been Madhav Trivedi since 2022. [5]

The Varsity Blues women's basketball team in 2023. 2023, Toronto Varsity Blues vs. Concordia Stingers 15.jpg
The Varsity Blues women's basketball team in 2023.

Women's basketball

The Varsity Blues women's basketball team competes in the 18-team Ontario University Athletics conference, in the Central division. [6] The team has won nine Critelli Cup conference championships, most recently in 2002. [7] The team won a national championship in 1986 and also won silver medals in 1994 and 1996. [7] Tamara Tatham was appointed the team's head coach in April 2021 after serving as the interim head coach during the 2020-21 season. [8]

Football

The Varsity Blues football team was first organized in 1877 and hold the distinction of winning the first Grey Cup in 1909 and the first Vanier Cup in 1965. [1] The team won national dominion championships in 1895, 1905, 1909, 1910, 1911, and 1920 when university teams played against other amateur clubs. [9] The team also won the first Yates Cup conference championship in 1898 and has won 25 overall, which are the second-most in U Sports, but have not won since 1993, when they also won the 29th Vanier Cup. [9]

Men's ice hockey

The Varsity Blues goalie in 2014. Toronto Varsity Blues mens goalie 2014.jpg
The Varsity Blues goalie in 2014.

The Varsity Blues men's ice hockey team plays in the Ontario University Athletics conference and is coached by Ryan Medel. The team is based at Varsity Arena. The current Varsity Blues have won ten U Sports Championships. [10] The men's ice hockey team was founded in 1891. [11] The Varsity Blues senior team won the Allan Cup in 1921 and 1927 and won the gold medal at the 1928 Winter Olympics. Conn Smythe (U of T 1920), the principal owner of the NHL Toronto Maple Leafs (1927–61) and builder of Maple Leaf Gardens (1931), chose Royal Blue and White as his team's colours to honour his alma mater. The Maple Leafs are popularly known as "The Blue and White" by many of their older fans.

Women's ice hockey

The Varsity Blues women's ice hockey team competes in the 18-team Ontario University Athletics conference, in the OUA East division. [12] The team has won 19 McCaw Cup conference championships, most recently in 2023. [13] The team won a national championship in 2001 and also won silver medals in 1998 and 2003. [13] Vicky Sunohara has served as the team's head coach since the 2011-12 season. [14]

Nordic skiing

The Nordic skiing team competes against Ontario universities each year at the OUA Championships in February after qualifying races earlier in the season. The team has steadily grown in size and experience since Hans Fischer stepped up to the position of coach in the 2005–06 season.

Rowing

The University of Toronto Rowing Club represents the Varsity Blues at local and international regattas. The UTRC was founded on February 10, 1897, and throughout the years has had many successes, including Royal Canadian Henley Regatta victories, OUA titles, and a silver medal at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Men's soccer

The Varsity Blues men's soccer team competes in the 18-team Ontario University Athletics conference, in the East division. [15] The team has won 50 Blackwood Cup conference championships, including seasons where they were co-champions and division champions. [16] The team won a national championship in 1988. [16] Ilya Orlov has been the team's head coach since January 2019. [17]

Women's soccer

The Varsity Blues women's soccer team competes in the 18-team Ontario University Athletics conference, in the East division. [18] The team has yet to win a conference championship or a national championship. [19] The team is led by associate head coach Angelo Cavalluzzo. [20]

Women's track & field

Middle and long distance runner Sasha Gollish was named 2015 Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Female Athlete of the Year (track events) for her performance at the CIS Championships, winning three gold medals in the 1000m, 3000m, and 4x800 m relay events and two silver medals in the 600m and 1500m events, the most individual medals ever won by a distance athlete. [21] [22] [23] She was also named MVP of the 2015 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Championships after winning three individual gold medals in the 600m, 1500m, and 3000m events. [21] In November 2015, she was named one of the Top 8 Academic All-Canadians by Canadian Interuniversity Sport. [24]

The Varsity Blues women's volleyball team in 2020. 2020 Volleyball, York Lions vs Toronto Varsity Blues 01.jpg
The Varsity Blues women's volleyball team in 2020.

Men's volleyball

The Varsity Blues men's volleyball team competes in the 13-team Ontario University Athletics conference. [25] The team has won 15 Forsyth Cup conference championships, most recently in 2004. [26] The team most recently won the Wilson Cup in 1995. [26] In the national championship tournament, the team won a silver medal in 1991 and a bronze medal in 1985. [27] The team has been led by head coach John Barrett since the 2011-12 season. [28]

Women's volleyball

The Varsity Blues women's volleyball team competes in the 14-team Ontario University Athletics conference. [29] The team has won 12 Quigley Cup conference championships, most recently in 2020. [30] The team won a national championship in 2016, becoming the first OUA team to win since 1976, and also won a silver medal in 1971. [30] Kristine Drakich has served as the team's head coach since the 1989-90 season and was named U Sports coach of the year in 2015. [31]

Awards and honours

Lieutenant Governor Athletic Awards

Five Varsity Blues athletes have won Lois and Doug Mitchell U Sports Athletes of the Year Awards. [32]

Athletes of the year

YearFemale athleteSportMale athleteSport
2011–12Vanessa TreasureSwimmingMike SmerekSwimming
2012–13  Zack ChetratSwimming
2013–14Nicole Kesteris [35] HockeyZack ChetratSwimming
2014–15 Sasha Gollish Track & FieldEli WallSwimming
2015–16Kylie MasseSwimmingSacha SmartTrack & Field
2016–17Kylie Masse [36] SwimmingRostam TurnerTrack & Field
2017–18Kylie MasseSwimmingEli WallSwimming
2018–19 Kylie Masse SwimmingEzana DebalkewTrack & Field
2019–20 [37] Lucia StaffordCross countryDavid ThomsonHockey

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western Mustangs</span> Athletic program of the University of Western Ontario

The Western Mustangs are the athletic teams that represent Western University in London, Ontario, Canada. The school's athletic program supports 46 varsity teams. Their mascot is a Mustang named J.W. and the school colours are purple and white. The university's varsity teams compete in the Ontario University Athletics conference and the national U Sports organization. Western University offers 21 varsity sports for men and 19 for women which compete in the OUA conference. The university also offers cheerleading, women's ringette, women's softball, table tennis and ultimate frisbee, which compete outside the OUA conference, in sport-specific conferences and divisions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queen's Golden Gaels</span> Athletic teams that represent Queens University at Kingston

The Queen's Gaels is the athletics program representing Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. The main athletics facilities include Richardson Memorial Stadium, the Queen's Athletics and Recreation Centre, Nixon Field and Tindall Field. The team colours are gold, blue, and red.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guelph Gryphons</span> Athletic teams of the University of Guelph, Canada

The Guelph Gryphons are the athletic teams that represent the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. The university's varsity teams compete in the Ontario University Athletics conference of the U Sports (OUA's), and, where applicable, in the west division. The university teams are often referred to as the Gryphs, which is short for the school's mascot, Gryph, the gryphon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U Sports men's ice hockey championship</span> Canadian ice hockey tournament and trophy

The U Sports Men's Ice Hockey Championship, is a Canadian university ice hockey tournament conducted by U Sports, and determines the men's national champion. The tournament involves the champions from each of Canada's four regional sports conferences. The David Johnston University Cup is awarded to the winners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carleton Ravens</span> Athletic teams of Carleton University in Ottawa

The Carleton Ravens are the athletic teams that represent Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario. The most notable sports team for Carleton is the men's basketball team. In men's basketball, the Ravens have won 16 of the last 19 national men's championships, which is more than any top division college in Canada or the United States. The Ravens went on an 87-game winning streak from 2003 to 2006. They also had a 54-game home winning streak. The Ravens finished 2nd in the World University Basketball Championships in 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TMU Bold</span> Canadian intercollegiate sports teams

TMU Bold, formerly known as the Ryerson Rams, are the varsity athletic teams that represent Toronto Metropolitan University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Toronto Metropolitan University operates 11 men's and women's varsity teams that compete provincially as part of Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and nationally as part of U Sports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waterloo Warriors</span> University of Waterloo athletic teams

The Waterloo Warriors are the intercollegiate sports teams that represent the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. The Warriors have found success over certain spans in football, hockey, rugby, golf and basketball among others, and the Warriors have won national championships in ice hockey (1974), basketball (1975), and women's swimming (1975). For many years from the 1960s through the 1990s, Warrior basketball games attracted the largest and rowdiest basketball crowds in the country. The Warriors Football teams have won two Yates Cup Championships, in 1997 and in 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Windsor Lancers</span> University of Windsor athletic teams

The Windsor Lancers are the varsity athletic teams that represent the University of Windsor in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The school's varsity program supports 9 different sports. Their mascot is a lancer and the team's colours are blue and gold. The varsity teams compete in the Ontario University Athletics provincial conference and the national U Sports organization. The school joined the Ontario-Quebec Athletic Association in 1952.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">York Lions</span> Sports teams of York University in Toronto

The York Lions is the official name for the athletic varsity teams that represent York University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The university's varsity teams compete in the Ontario University Athletics conference of U Sports and, where applicable, in the east division. The Lion's logo features a red lion from the school's logo with the university's colours, red and white.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Toronto Rowing Club</span>

The University of Toronto Rowing Club (UTRC) was founded on February 10, 1897 and represents the Varsity Blues at local and international regattas. It is the oldest university rowing club in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toronto Varsity Blues men's ice hockey</span> Varsity mens ice hockey team at the University of Toronto

The Toronto Varsity Blues men's ice hockey team is an ice hockey team operated by the Varsity Blues athletics program of the University of Toronto. They are members of the Ontario University Athletics conference and compete in U Sports. The Varsity Blues senior team won the Allan Cup in 1921 and 1927, and won the gold medal for Canada at the 1928 Winter Olympics. The team is based at Varsity Arena on the University downtown campus in Toronto, Ontario.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toronto Varsity Blues women's ice hockey</span> University of Toronto womens ice hockey program

The Toronto Varsity Blues women's ice hockey program represents the University of Toronto in the Ontario University Athletics conference of U Sports. Three-time Olympic medalist Vicky Sunohara has served as head coach since the 2011–12 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">York Lions women's ice hockey</span> Canadian university ice hockey team

The York Lions women's ice hockey team represents York University in Toronto, Ontario in the sport of ice hockey in the Ontario University Athletics conference of U Sports. The York Lions have won three OUA championships in their program history while making one appearance in the U Sports women's ice hockey championship tournament since its inception in 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queen's Cup (ice hockey)</span>

The Queen's Cup is a trophy awarded annually to the champion in men's ice hockey of the Ontario University Athletics conference of U Sports. It has been awarded since 1903 to the champion between Ontario and Quebec universities. It is the second-oldest ice hockey trophy still being awarded, after the Stanley Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toronto Varsity Blues football</span> University Canadian football team

The Toronto Varsity Blues football team represents the University of Toronto in the sport of Canadian football in U Sports. Dating back to 1877, the Toronto Varsity Blues football program initially competed for the Canadian Dominion Football Championship and won six national titles, including the first Grey Cup game ever held in 1909, as well as winning in 1895, 1905, 1910, 1911, and 1920. After intercollegiate teams no longer competed for the Dominion Championship, the team won the first Vanier Cup ever held in 1965, and then again in 1993 as Canadian national football champions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">York Lions football</span> University Canadian football team

The York Lions Football team represents York University in Toronto, Ontario, in the sport of Canadian football in U Sports. The York Lions football team has been in continuous operation since 1968 and are one of two teams currently playing in U Sports football to have never won a conference championship. The other team, the Sherbrooke Vert et Or, did not begin their current program until 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sasha Gollish</span> Canadian runner

Sasha Gollish is a Canadian competitive runner. She won a gold medal in the half-marathon at the 2013 Maccabiah Games in Israel, a bronze medal in the 1500 m at the 2015 Pan American Games, and gold medals at the 2017 Maccabiah Games in the 800m, 1,500m, and 5,000m events. She won the 2016 Canadian women's 10K Cross Country Championship, the 2017 women's 8K North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) Cross-Country Championship, and the 2018 Canadian Half Marathon National Championship. In 2022, Gollish set a new women’s 40+ indoor mile world record, and that same year she won the gold medal at the 2022 NACAC Half Marathon Championships

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U Sports women's volleyball</span>

U Sports women's volleyball is the highest level of amateur play of indoor volleyball in Canada and operates under the auspices of U Sports. 42 teams from Canadian universities are divided into four athletic conferences, drawing from the four regional associations of U Sports: Canada West Universities Athletic Association (CW), Ontario University Athletics (OUA), Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ), and Atlantic University Sport (AUS). Following intra-conference playoffs, eight teams are selected to play in a national tournament to compete for the U Sports women's volleyball championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U Sports men's volleyball</span>

U Sports men's volleyball is the highest level of amateur play of men's indoor volleyball in Canada and operates under the auspices of U Sports. Thirty-one teams from Canadian universities are divided into three athletic conferences, drawing from the three of the four regional associations of U Sports: Canada West Universities Athletic Association (CW), Ontario University Athletics (OUA), and Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ). The Atlantic University Sport (AUS) formerly featured men's volleyball as a U Sports championship sport, but it was removed following the 2017–18 season. The 31 participating teams compete in a regular season and following intra-conference playoffs, eight teams are selected to play in a national tournament to compete for the U Sports men's volleyball championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quigley Cup</span> Canadian university volleyball championship

The Quigley Cup is a Canadian university volleyball championship conducted by Ontario University Athletics (OUA), and determines the women's conference champion. The champion then qualifies for the U Sports women's volleyball championship, which typically takes place on the following weekend.

References

  1. 1 2 "Football History". Toronto Varsity Blues. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  2. ↑ University of Toronto Olympians
  3. ↑ "2023-24 OUA Men's Basketball Standings". Ontario University Athletics . Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  4. 1 2 "Awards". Toronto Varsity Blues. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Madhav Trivedi". Toronto Varsity Blues. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  6. ↑ "2023-24 OUA Women's Basketball Standings". Ontario University Athletics . Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  7. 1 2 "Awards". Toronto Varsity Blues. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Tamara Tatham". Toronto Varsity Blues. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  9. 1 2 "Toronto Varsity Blues All-Time Game Results" (PDF). Toronto Varsity Blues . Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  10. ↑ www.azhockey.com
  11. ↑ Toronto Marlboros history
  12. ↑ "2023-24 OUA Women's ice hockey standings". Ontario University Athletics . Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  13. 1 2 "Awards". Toronto Varsity Blues. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  14. ↑ "Vicky Sunohara". Toronto Varsity Blues. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  15. ↑ "2023-24 OUA Men's Soccer Standings". Ontario University Athletics . Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  16. 1 2 "Awards". Toronto Varsity Blues. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  17. ↑ "Ilya Orlov". Toronto Varsity Blues. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  18. ↑ "2023-24 OUA Women's Soccer Standings". Ontario University Athletics . Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  19. ↑ "Awards". Toronto Varsity Blues. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  20. ↑ "Angelo Cavalluzzo". Toronto Varsity Blues. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  21. 1 2 "Sasha Gollish". July 3, 2015. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  22. ↑ "Sasha Gollish wins Indianapolis Monumental Half, breaks course record," Canadian Running Magazine.
  23. ↑ "Distance runner Sasha Gollish, 33, recognized as Athlete of the Year", City Centre Mirror.
  24. ↑ "Sasha Gollish honoured as one of the Top 8 Academic All-Canadians," U of T Engineering News.
  25. ↑ "Men's Volleyball Standings". U Sports . Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  26. 1 2 "Awards". Toronto Varsity Blues. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  27. ↑ "CIS Championship Results" (PDF). usports.ca. U Sports . Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  28. ↑ "John Barrett". Toronto Varsity Blues. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  29. ↑ "Women's Volleyball Standings". U Sports . Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  30. 1 2 "Awards". Toronto Varsity Blues. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  31. ↑ "Tamara Tatham". Toronto Varsity Blues. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  32. ↑ "Awards Athletes of the Year". U Sports . Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  33. ↑ "Hall of Fame: Elizabeth Warden". varsityblues.ca/. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  34. ↑ "24th Annual BLG Awards: Toronto's Masse, Calgary's Buckley named CIS athletes of the year". presto-en.usports.ca/. March 2, 2016. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  35. ↑ Helen Picard (March 31, 2014). "Kesteris, Chetrat named Varsity Blues athletes of the year". thevarsity.ca/. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  36. ↑ Braden Keith (April 1, 2017). "KYLIE MASSE NAMED UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO ATHLETE OF THE YEAR". swimswam.com/. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  37. ↑ "STAFFORD, THOMSON NAMED VARSITY BLUES ATHLETES OF THE YEAR". varsityblues.ca/. April 8, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.