President’s Message

Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) competition will return this fall after being paused for over 500 days due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. It has been an unprecedented time of uncertainty for our members, their staff, coaches, and our student-athletes. From the onset of the shutdown in March, 2020, the OCAA and its members have been committed to be able to return to sports competition as soon as it was allowable under the respective regulations. Behind the scenes, our team has worked tirelessly over the last 17 months planning our return to play. We have always remained focused on providing valuable post-secondary sports opportunities for our students and student-athletes. Due to the extensive strategic planning that has been done by our Association, I am thrilled that day is on the horizon, with our fall outdoor sports beginning on Sept. 17, and our indoor winter sports returning in the new year. Tremendous thanks to the OCAA’s Senior Leadership Council and staff, our Board of Directors, and member institutions who have all worked incredibly hard to overcome numerous difficult challenges to make this possible. We know this season will be different. For over five decades, post-secondary stu-

Leadership Council and staff, our Board of Directors, and member institutions, have worked countless hours towards this endeavour. While we remain hopeful, the safety of the entire OCAA membership and our participants continues to be our top priority.

While we look forward to the future return of sport, we wanted to take this opportunity to look back on the past season with a new-look OCAA Media Guide & Directory. Included in these pages are dozens of colour photos highlighting the athletic accomplishments and team successes from the 2019-20 season. As you look through these pages, I hope it reminds you of the excitement that collegiate sport brings and rekindles the passion for when we take the field, court, course, and ice again.

The OCAA appreciates and is thankful for the continued support from our valued partners, many of which are featured in this guide. I would also like to recognize and thank the Government of Ontario and the Ministry of Heritage, Sport,

Tourism, and Culture Industries for their funding and support of our over 4,000 student-athletes and 4,000 campus recreation participants.

We are proud that our Association supports thousands of student-athletes, coaches and officials made up of different genders, religions and ethnic backgrounds, however, we also share a collective responsibility of eliminating systemic racism and discrimination in our society. We take this challenge seriously and look forward to announcing some initiatives towards this important endeavour in the near future.

Respectfully,

Nathan McFadden

OCAA President As the seasons begin to change, we are reminded of what we are missing this autumn as the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association navigates its way through this unprecedented period in our history. For many student-athletes, coaches and administrators, the OCAA is not only a part of what we do, it’s a part of who we are. For over five decades, post-secondary students from campuses across the province have come together to showcase their athletic skills in a variety of sports. The OCAA’s decision to suspend varsity and recreation activities planned for the 2020 fall semester as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic was difficult, but necessary, in order to protect the health and wellbeing of all of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff. However, that does not change the feeling of sadness of not playing that we know and share with our members and especially our student-athletes. The OCAA is working hard and taking the necessary steps towards a safe return of intercollegiate sport as early as January, 2021. The OCAA’s Senior dents from campuses across the province have come together to showcase their athletic skills in a variety of sports. But never before had they had to experience vaccinations, testing and screening protocols prior to events. Student-athletes and coaches have already endured a lot with no meaningful competition for most since the OCAA went dark. The privilege of being able to compete in the OCAA has never been more clear. The friendships, experiences and excitement that sports in the OCAA brings was dearly missed. On Sept. 17, the OCAA light will return as we open a new season. While challenges remain as the pandemic continues to affect a return to normal operations, we all must continue to work together to make this season a success. The safety of the entire OCAA membership and our participants remains our top priority. As we look forward to the return of sport, we wanted to take this opportunity to present an updated OCAA Media Guide & Directory. Included in these pages are dozens of colour photos highlighting the athletic accomplishments and team successes from the 2019-20 season. As you look through these pages, I hope it reminds you of the excitement that collegiate sport brings and rekindles the passion for what is about to take place over the next several months. The OCAA appreciates and is grateful for the continued support from our valued partners, many of which are featured in this guide. I would also like to recognize and thank the Government of Ontario and the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism, and Culture Industries for their funding and support of our over 4,000 student-athletes and 4,000 campus recreation participants.

I am looking forward to seeing the energy and passion that our students bring to each sport and wish everyone participating in the OCAA a safe and enjoyable season. A season that we are thankful that is finally here, and one that is appreciated by all those involved.