varsity news

Durham Lords Media Release
Thursday, December 10, 2009

Durham Lords/UOIT Ridgebacks in the Community

OSHAWA, Ont. - Having established themselves with championship caliber programs and high graduation rates, Durham College and UOIT varsity teams strive to be the best in athletics and academics.

The varsity athletic program has also made a strong commitment to the local community through involvement. The Durham College and UOIT Athletics Department encourages community initiatives, providing a great experience for the athletes by lending a helping hand to the neighbourhood in which they live.

Below is some recent and upcoming community events in which varsity student-athletes at Durham College and UOIT are taking part in:

Elementary School Visits
Varsity student-athletes are traveling around to local elementary schools to talk to students about the importance of education and healthy living, while assisting teachers running physical education classes.

Athletes describe their experience of playing sports while focusing on education. Topics such as homework, studying, respecting teachers, the importance of physical activity and living a healthy lifestyle are being brought to the student’s attention. The Lords and Ridgebacks also get a chance to impress the children with some of their athletic skills, while Hunter the Ridgeback and Lord Durham entertain the classes.

Fundraising Events
Teams are constantly participating in fundraising events in order to raise donations for local charities. The Durham College varsity teams took part in the OCAA Breast Cancer campaign, which rose over $7,000 for the Canadian Breast Cancer society. The UOIT rowing crew and men’s hockey team also took part in the Terry Fox run this fall, while student-athletes participated in the Movember challenge, growing mustaches to raise money for prostate cancer research.

The Durham College women’s basketball team recently held their second annual holiday toy drive for the Sick Kids foundation (pictured), while the UOIT men’s and women’s hockey teams took part in the campus wide holiday food drive.

Community Events
The Lords and Ridgebacks have also attended a number of community events this past year. Most recently, members of the men’s hockey team were out at the Rotary Skate-a-Thon at the GM Centre, signing autographs for all of the participants.

Special Community Days
The UOIT Ridgebacks and Durham Lords host a number of community days at their regular season home games. Anyone who has attended a home game this year has more than likely seen a minor sports team or choir perform before or during a game. Children get to play and perform in front of the big crowds and even get to meet some of the players.

Minor Practices
The Durham Lords and UOIT Ridgebacks are helping lead practices throughout the Durham Region. Whether it is club teams or school teams, the Lords and Ridgebacks have been lending a hand, giving tips to coaches and the players.

If you are interested in participating in any of these community initiatives, please contact the Athletic Department at (905) 721-2000 ext. 2784.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Scott Dennis
Sports Information and Marketing Coordinator
Durham College and UOIT Athletics
905.721.2000 Ext. 2784 (P)
905.721.3117 (F)
scott.dennis@dc-uoit.ca