News & Events

A new school year prompts a new season of varsity athletics and the Ryerson Rams are full steam ahead.

The start of interuniversity sports season is always an exciting time for athletics at Ryerson. On Sept. 1, Kerr Hall gym was packed with just over 1,000 fans to watch the annual Orientation Week basketball game. The game drew one of the largest crowds in Rams history as students saw Ryerson defeat George Brown 95-68.

"A strong athletic program can add a tremendous amount of spirit and energy to a campus. If the crowd at the opening men's basketball game is any indication of things to come, this will be a great year for Ryerson Athletics and all our students," said Ivan Joseph, athletics director.

Attending a Rams game has never been more convenient with all university community members, including staff and alumni with Ryerson ID, getting in for free.

Last year the Rams showed promising signs with some best-ever efforts:

* Men's hockey had an impressive season with 12 victories - the second-highest win total in Ryerson hockey history. They also qualified for the playoffs for the first time in eight years, and beat the University of Toronto in the first round.
* Women's basketball recorded one of its best seasons ever with 14 wins and made it to the semi-finals.
* The figure skating team brought home three gold medals from the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) championship, following their strong showing at the Winter Invitational a month earlier.
* The rowing duo of Matt Buie and Philippe Roy won Ryerson its first OUA gold medal.

Men's and women's soccer already have five games under their belts. The men's team is undefeated so far tying the University of Toronto 1-1 on Sunday and shutting out Royal Military College (RMC) 4-0 on Sept. 11. The tie with the Varsity Blues ends the Rams' 21-match losing streak against UofT. The Ryerson squad is expected to do well after playing their best to date in more than 20 years and making a solid run during the playoffs last year. Also, the return of Alex Braletic, Ryerson's first male soccer player to be named a Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) all-Canadian, is sure to make for eventful performances.

As for the women's team, they put up a tough fight on Sunday but settled for a scoreless draw against UofT. The team earns a point with the tie, which follows their previous 0-0 draw against RMC the week before. Ramin Mohammadi, new interim head coach for the women's soccer team, and  Sonya Booker, a former Rams player and assistant coach, are optimistic. They're confident practice will improve the squad's weaknesses, not to mention the return of OUA all-stars Andrea Raso and Calaigh Copland to the pitch.

"The men's and women's soccer team have worked hard all off season for the opportunity to compete for a championship this fall. Both teams came into camp more focused, fitter and with a renewed sense of purpose. I look for both teams to surprise their conference this year," Joseph said.

Many of the teams are in the middle of tryouts, including badminton and fencing which won't officially start their season until 2011. A fresh set of recruits to almost all of the squads should further improve the Rams' results. Look for a future Campus News story on the Ryerson homepage about the university's new student-athletes.

For full team stats and schedules, check the Ryerson Rams website.