Game on!

U of T Mississauga athletics will roll out its first varsity-level sports next season, with today’s announcement that it will become a member school of the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association.

Effective April 28, U of T Mississauga will become the OCAA’s 30th member school, giving student athletics the chance to compete in both OCAA and Ontario University Athletics sports.

“The success of UTM gaining full affiliate membership with the OCAA provides our student-athletes with additional competitive sport opportunities,” says Professor Deep Saini, vice-president of U of T and principal of U of T Mississauga.  

“On occasion, some exceptionally talented UTM student-athletes have chosen not to continue in varsity-level sports because of the time and travel deterrents of Varsity Blues practices at the St. George or Scarborough campuses,” says Saini. “OCAA membership offers our students additional options to balance their academic and athletic experiences through practices and competitions closer to their home campus, and for even stronger UTM and U of T pride among all of our students.”

UTM athletes will begin competing in cross-country, badminton, and men’s and women’s indoor soccer in the 2014-2015 OCAA season. In the following years, this will expand to include outdoor soccer, basketball and volleyball. UTM students will still be eligible to participate in U of T Varsity Blues Sports.

“UTM is thrilled to be accepted as an affiliate member of the OCAA,” says Ken Duncliffe, the campus’s athletic director. “This opportunity will enhance the UTM student experience by providing varsity-level sport engagement and competitions on our own campus. Our student-athletes are excited to represent UTM in this excellent competitive program.”

UTM has been hosting OCAA sports events for the last decade and competing in extramural sports since 1993. OCAA membership has the support of UTM’s athletics council.  

UTM student-athletes interested in OCAA-varsity level cross-country, badminton and indoor soccer are invited to contact UTM’s athletics department for more information.