Photo by Rashaad-Bhamjee

Gryphon varsity teams excel across the board

Mike Treadgold

First of all, I will admit that I am an unabashed homer when it comes to Guelph Gryphons varsity sports. And while I don’t expect incoming students to demonstrate the same fervour as I have, I would be remiss not to introduce you to some of the University of Guelph’s best forms of entertainment.

If your previous background as a sports fan is anything like mine was, you’ve probably grown up following professional sports; be it the Maple Leafs, Blue Jays, Raptors or that relatively new kid on the block, Toronto FC.

But unless you come from a high school with an avid sports following, you’ve likely never been exposed to the idea of campus athletics, an incredible variety of sports that showcases some incredible young talent.

If you came to Guelph expecting a ‘rah-rah’ sports fan community, you may leave disappointed. Guelph’s varsity following is, for lack of a better word, inconsistent. Hopefully, however, this doesn’t deter you from checking them out, because I promise you’ll be surprised with what you find.

Varsity sporting events are an outstanding way to get out with your new friends and support your school. The most successful venture for Gryphon Athletics thus far has been Homecoming football, an annual tradition and a part of the Homecoming weekend in late in September that welcomes current and former students and athletes. Alumni Stadium will be filled with fans, making for an outstanding introduction to varsity sports for new students.

As for the sports themselves, football, basketball and hockey are considered to be the ‘profile’ sports on campus; those that generally receive the largest crowds and fit with typical sports popularity. While these are all outstanding teams, these are not necessarily the most successful teams on campus, except for the Gryphon women’s hockey team, which will be seeking its third straight appearance in the OUA Finals.

The University of Guelph has traditionally specialized in some of the lesser known sports. Gryphon teams in cross-country, track and field, rugby and field hockey all won provincial championships in the past year.

The athletes themselves are what make Gryphons varsity sports so exciting. Not only are they incredibly talented, but university athletics also comes without the unnecessary egoism that is often the focus in professional sports. These student-athletes are really just like any other student on campus – they go to class, they study, they go to the gym and they hang out with their friends. Aside from the odd scholarship, they’re not being paid to play. Sports are a major part of their lives and they truly play for the love of the game. Go watch them play, cheer them on and congratulate them after the game without having to worry about a bodyguard blocking your path.

A number of Gryphons student-athletes have gone on to play professionally and the remarkably high number of participants who play varsity sports and achieve an academic average of more than 80 per cent – making them eligible for Academic All-Canadian status – is incredibly refreshing.

If you can’t attend the events live, there are other ways in which you can follow Gryphons athletics. The Ontarion will provide the most comprehensive coverage of campus sports of any local media outlet, and the Streaming Sports Network (www.ssncanada.ca) broadcasts a number of live events. Check out www.gryphons.ca, the official website for Guelph Gryphons athletics, for all the news and information about the outstanding varsity sports scene on campus.