York Lions

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York Lions
York Lions Logo.png
University York University
Association U Sports
Conference Ontario University Athletics
Athletic directorAlex Dominato
Location Toronto, Ontario
Varsity teams9 men, 9 women
Football stadium Alumni Field
Arena Canlan Ice Sports – York
Tennis court Sobeys Stadium
Other venues Tait McKenzie Centre, Toronto Track and Field Centre, York Lions Stadium
Mascot Lion
NicknameLions
ColoursRed, White, and Black
     
Website www.yorkulions.ca

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.

Contents

York's former teams were known as the York Yeomen and York Yeowomen, but changed their name to the gender-neutral Lions in 2003. [1]

Interuniversity sport teams

Lions football

The York Lions football team has been in operation since 1968 and currently compete in the 11-team Ontario University Athletics conference. The program is one of two in U Sports football to have never won a conference championship. Dexter Janke has been the team's head coach since January 22, 2024. [2]

Men's road playoff game vs. Windsor Lancers February 16, 2012. York Lions 2012.JPG
Men's road playoff game vs. Windsor Lancers February 16, 2012.

Lions men's ice hockey

The York Lions men's ice hockey team competes in the 20-team Ontario University Athletics conference. The team has won three national championships in 1985, 1988, and 1989. [3] The program has also yielded seven Queen's Cup conference championships, most recently in 2017. [3] The team's head coach has been Russ Herrington since 2017.

Lions women's ice hockey

The York Lions women's ice hockey team competes in the 13-team Ontario University Athletics conference. The team's head coach is Dan Church, who has been in that position since 2004 and is the longest-serving active head coach at York. The team was won three McCaw Cup conference championships, coming in 1983, 1987, and 1997. [3] [4]

York Lions at the Tait McKenzie Centre. TaitMcKenzieCentre.jpg
York Lions at the Tait McKenzie Centre.

Lions men's soccer

The York Lions men's soccer team has won five U Sports national championships and seven OUA conference championships. [3] Since the hiring of head coach Carmine Isacco in 2007, the Lions have won six of these conference championships (2007, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018) and four national championships (2008, 2010, 2014, 2015). The Lions' 2008 U Sports championship was York's first national championship in any sport in 18 years, and their first soccer championship since 1977. [5] Playing for the Lions, in 2010 Alon Badat was named a U Sports Championship All Star, and the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) West Rookie of the Year, and in 2011 he was a First-Team OUA All-Star. [6] [7] The team currently competes in the 18-team Ontario University Athletics conference.

Lions women's soccer

The York Lions women's soccer team currently competes in the 19-team Ontario University Athletics conference. The program has had four conference championship winners, coming in 2005, 2007, 2009, and 2019. [3] Carmine Isacco has been the team's head coach since 2012. [8]

Lions men's volleyball

The York Lions men's volleyball team currently competes in the 13-team Ontario University Athletics conference. The program has featured 13 conference championship winners, most recently in 2005. [3] The highest that the team has finished in the national championship tournament was a second-place finish in 1974. [9] [10] Jordan Taylor was named the team's head coach on July 21, 2023. [11]

Lions women's volleyball

The York Lions women's volleyball team currently competes in the 14-team Ontario University Athletics conference. The program has had a school-record 15 conference championships with the most recent occurring 2009. [3] In the national championship tournament, the Lions have won five bronze medals, most recently in 1991. [12] The team has been led by head coach Jennifer Neilson since 2018. [13]

International competition

This is an incomplete list

Awards and honours

Athletes of the Year

This is an incomplete list

YearFemale AthleteSportMale AthleteSportRef.
2009–10Heather HamiltonTrack & FieldTyrone HalsteadTrack & Field [17]
2010–11Effie PetrouField HockeyAdrian PenaSoccer [18]
2011–12 Melissa Humana-Paredes VolleyballDontae Richards-KwokTrack & Field [19]
2012–13Cynthia AppiahTrack & FieldDavid McKayTrack & Field [20]
2013–14Khamica BinghamTrack & FieldDontae Richards-KwokTrack & Field [21]
2014–15 Brittany Crew Track & FieldJarek WhitemanSoccer [22]
2015–16 Brittany Crew Track & FieldMichael CoxSoccer [23]
2016–17Holly PittersTrack & FieldJonathan LaoSoccer [24]
2017–18Holly PittersTrack & FieldKayden JohnsonTrack & Field
Football
[25]
2018–19 Brittany Crew Track & FieldPierce LepageTrack & Field [26]
2019–20Teni OdetoyinboSoccerDaniel GleasonTrack & Field [27]
2020–21Not awarded due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021–22Leah JonesTrack & FieldDieu Merci YumaSoccer [28]
2022–23Jotam ChouhanSoccerSoji OlatoyeSoccer [29]

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References

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  6. "2018 York Lions" (PDF). Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  7. "Alon Badat - Men's Soccer". York University Athletics.
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  9. "Winnipeg Wesmen 1970-74 (MVB Team)". Canada West Hall of Fame. October 17, 2019. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  10. "York Lions Men's Volleyball Champions & Award Winners". York Lions. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  11. "Lions name Jordan Taylor as men's volleyball head coach". York Lions. July 21, 2023.
  12. "York Lions Women's Volleyball Champions & Award Winners". York Lions. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  13. "Neilson named head coach of women's volleyball team". York Lions. July 4, 2018.
  14. "CAN Announces Women's Ice Hockey Team for Harbin". fisu.net. January 9, 2009. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
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  25. "2017-18 YORK AWARD WINNERS". yorkulions.ca. April 17, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  26. "2018-19 YORK AWARD WINNERS". yorkulions.ca. May 22, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  27. "GLEASON, ODETOYINBO NAMED YORK ATHLETES OF THE YEAR". yorkulions.ca. April 22, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
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  29. "Athletics awards return in-person at annual banquet". yorku.ca. April 11, 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2023.