Ontario Tech and Dalhousie Named Host of 2024 U SPORTS Men’s and Women’s Soccer Championships
U SPORTS unveiled the Men’s and Women’s 2024-25 national championship Soccer hosts on Wednesday, with being awarded the Men’s rights Ontario Tech University (Oshawa, ON) for its opportunity to host its first U SPORTS national championship event, and the Women’s rights have gone to Dalhousie University (Halifax, NS), marking their return as host of the tournament after a 28-year hiatus,
“U SPORTS is thrilled to bring national championship competitions to Ontario Tech, and Dalhousie,” said Lisette Johnson-Stapley, chief sport officer at U SPORTS. “These championships hold great historical significance. It is an exciting milestone for Ontario Tech as they secure their first U SPORTS championship. After 28 years, Dalhousie returns as the host of the women’s soccer title. We are delighted to collaborate with such passionate communities in showcasing the excellence of university sports.”
U SPORTS unveiled three 2024-25 national championship hosts on Wednesday in men’s and women’s soccer.
Dalhousie University (Halifax, N.S.) has been awarded the 2024 U SPORTS women’s soccer championship, marking their return as hosts of the tournament after a 28-year hiatus, while Ontario Tech University (Oshawa, Ont.) is set to welcome the men’s soccer championship, marking its inaugural hosting opportunity by being awarded the right to host its first U SPORTS national championship event.
“U SPORTS is thrilled to bring national championship competitions to Ontario Tech and Dalhousie,” said Lisette Johnson-Stapley, chief sport officer at U SPORTS. “These championships hold great historical significance. It is an exciting milestone for Ontario Tech as they secure their first U SPORTS championship. After 28 years, Dalhousie returns as the host of the women’s soccer title. We are delighted to collaborate with such passionate communities in showcasing the excellence of university sports.”
“Being awarded the 2024 men’s soccer championship has our campus and community buzzing,” said Scott Barker, director of athletics and recreation at Ontario Tech. “The City of Oshawa has been a proud partner throughout this entire bid process and is looking forward to welcoming the nation’s best players to Ontario Tech as part of the celebration of the 100-year anniversary of their incorporation. Our team has been nationally ranked and a contender in the OUA in recent seasons, meaning they are ready for this next challenge. As a committee, we look forward to hosting in 2024 and showcasing our Ridgebacks program on the national stage.”
The championship matches will be held at Vaso’s Field, a premiere Canadian soccer facility with FIFA-approved artificial infill turf. The venue boasts a capacity of 1,500 seats and was home to several provincial and national events.
“We are thrilled to be hosting the 2024 USPORTS men’s soccer national championship at Ontario Tech University,” said Steven Murphy, president and vice-chancellor at Ontario Tech University. “This is the first time that the university has hosted a varsity championship at the national level, and we are excited to host Canada in Oshawa. Sport helps teach valuable life skills, like teamwork and discipline and contributes to self-confidence and responsibility. Our student-athletes are the civic leaders of tomorrow, and we are very proud to bring our entire community together to celebrate the success of soccer.”
Recent Ridgebacks men’s soccer highlights:
- In 2022-2023:
- Chris Campoli became the first Ontario Tech athlete in any sport to win a U SPORTS player of the year award.
- The Ridgebacks men’s soccer team led Ontario University Athletics (OUA) with an 11-1-0 record, winning the east division title, and was the top team in the province leading York by a single point at the end of the year.
- Chris Campoli and Jacob Begley were named first team all-Canadians.
- Trivine Esprit and Chris Campoli were both drafted by York United in the 2023 CPL-U SPORTS draft.
- The men’s soccer program had a record number of five OUA all-stars.
- Ramin Mohammadi was named OUA coach of the year, while Chris Campoli was named the OUA league’s Most Valuable Player of the year.
- In 2019, Fadi Salback led the country in scoring with 16 goals.
“We are pleased to have been awarded the 2024 U SPORTS women’s soccer championship, which will fall on the 30th anniversary of our 1994 national gold medal win,” said Tim Maloney, executive director of athletics and recreation at Dalhousie University. “We see this event as an opportunity to celebrate women’s sport, engage our community and provide participating student-athletes with an outstanding experience.”
The event will be held at the recently resurfaced F.B. Wickwire Memorial Field, which has a capacity of 1500. The venue is home to Dalhousie Tigers varsity programs and local amateur sport associations.
“We are thrilled to be hosting the 2024 U SPORTS women’s soccer championship on Dalhousie’s beautiful campus, here in the heart of one of Canada’s great cities,” said President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Frank Harvey. “Events like this present us with the opportunity to engage with a diverse group of partners and leave an important legacy for future generations. We look forward to providing a warm welcome to the participants and fans next fall.”
The Tigers have made 13 championship appearances since 1984, with six podium finishes (three gold, two silver and one bronze). Their most recent showing was in 2012.
Sources: https://usports.ca/en/news/2023/06/1483574926/fall-2024-hosting-announcement-20230628
https://www.daltigers.ca/general/2023-24/releases/2024_U_SPORTS_WSOC_Championship
https://goridgebacks.com/news/2023/6/28/mens-soccer-ontario-tech-named-host-of-2024-u-sports-mens-soccer-championship.aspx
https://usports.ca/en/sports/soccer/f/news/2023/06/3031457377/2024-wsoc-20230628