Campus athletic teams raise profile of Lakehead Orillia
(Feb. 2, 2012 - Orillia, ON) "Where did you say you were from?" This is what is being asked of Lakehead Orillia students more and more this year as many of them travel the province as members of the University's athletics and recreation teams.
You may have heard about the first two varsity sports to be offered at the Orillia campus - rowing and curling, but when it comes to athletics and recreation at the campus, there's a lot more happening.
Liz Ross, athletics and recreation facilitator at the Orillia campus, reports that almost one quarter of the student population is involved in organized athletic programming, and that doesn't include the 600+ students who have taken advantage of the YMCA membership, which is included as part of student athletic fees.
"In addition to our varsity sports, we have club teams in women's and men's hockey, men's soccer, equestrian and dance," says Ross. "Club teams provide opportunities for students who are looking for a higher level of competition than is provided in intramural sports or campus recreation activities."
Lakehead's club teams have all been very active with training and competitions at inter-university and -college levels since the fall, and as a result, are increasing the University's profile throughout the province.
Representatives of Lakehead
Orillia's club teams gather at the campus - (top row): Alanna Uyl, varsity
curling; Katie MacKinnon, dance team; Kaitlyn Gravett, hockey; (middle row):
Chris Viel, varsity rowing; Lana Johnston, equestrian; Liz Ross, athletics and
recreation facilitator; and Kyle Oliveira, soccer. (missing from photo: men's
hockey).
The men's soccer team recently returned from a tournament in Ancaster, Ontario, where they won against the University of Toronto/Mississauga to take third place at the tournament.
"I think we are impressing a lot of people," says volunteer coach, Mike Fredson, whose wife Tamara Laredo is a professor at the Orillia campus. "We're a new campus, so people are a bit surprised to discover us and then amazed to see how well we are doing."
Lakehead Orillia student Justin Lewis, a member of the soccer team and also the president of the club team, says he is pleased with how the team is doing. "I am so proud of our team - we have a real range of players, from those who have never played to highly skilled players, so it's great to be able to come in third at one of our first tournaments."
This year was the first time the Lakehead women's hockey team experienced a higher level of competition, by participating in Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) tournaments. The team has entered tournaments at Georgian College here in Orillia, Laurier Brantford, and in March, they will be in Lindsay at Fleming College.
Theresa Prisciak, Lakehead Orillia's senior security guard, who coaches the team along with faculty member Alex Thomson and recruitment officer Betsy Maus, says the competition has been great for the team. "If we continue getting the interest from students, we are going to have a very competitive team and we'll look forward to playing more often, even weekly games with local teams, in the future."
All of the non-varsity sports teams at the campus are run by students, with guidance and support from the athletics and recreation facilitator, who is part of the Student Affairs department at the campus.
"Any student can start a new club team, as long as they have at least four interested students and are committed to forming a student executive to run the team," explains Ross. "As our numbers expand, there is more interest in starting activities. It's exciting to see the development, especially our participation at the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) level."
Ross says the expansion in sports activity at the campus is also due in large part to the faculty and staff who have stepped up to help. "The enthusiasm and dedication by this leadership group has been fabulous."
Members of the community are always welcome to join as spectators at Lakehead athletic events and even participate at some.
"Our second annual Thunderspiel is coming up," says Ross. "This is a fun curling bonspiel at the Orillia Curling Club that is open to everyone, including individuals and teams." The event takes place on Saturday, March 3, with entrance donations going to support varsity athletics at the Lakehead Orillia campus. To find out more or to register your participation, contact Liz Ross at 705-330-4008 ext. 2116 or orathlet@lakeheadu.ca.
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Lakehead Orillia Upcoming Athletic Events
February 15: Intramural 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, Lakehead Orillia; University Avenue
February 16 - 20: Varsity Curling, OUA Championships, University of Guelph
March 3: 2nd Annual Thunderspiel, Orillia Curling Club - Open to the community: individuals and teams
March 9: Women's Hockey Tournament, Fleming College