NORTH YORK, Ont. - Durham College has been selected to host three major Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) events during the 2014-15 season including the 2014 baseball championship, 2015 men's basketball championship and 2015 volleyball and basketball all-star games. All three of Durham's bids to host the events was unanimously approved at the OCAA annual general meeting in Sudbury.
This will mark the 14th time Durham College has hosted the OCAA basketball all-star games, and the second consecutive year that it will be combined with the volleyball all-star games. Athletes will be arriving in Oshawa on March 27 with the all-star games taking place on March 28.
"We are excited to host the OCAA's marquee event for basketball and volleyball for the second straight year," said Durham College athletic director Ken Babcock. "Having over 200 participants from across the province last year made for an outstanding event and we hope to build off that success for next year. Having the basketball and volleyball all-star games share the same date and venue allows us to bring together two passionate sporting communities."
Durham last ran a major collegiate baseball event in 2009, when the college hosted the CIBA national baseball championship. The host site for the 2014 baseball championship will be in downtown Oshawa, Ont., at Kinsmen Memorial Civic Stadium, which is regarded to be one of the top baseball facilities in Ontario. The championship will be comprised of the top four teams from the regular season battling it out for the provincial title from Oct. 17-18.
After making a run to the OCAA final four in men's basketball, the Lords thought 2015 would be a great time to host to the provincial championship in their own backyard. Durham last hosted the OCAA provincial championship in 2007, as well as the CCAA national basketball championship in 2011. The championship will involve eight teams with their eye on the title as the event runs from March 6-8.
"Durham Region is a hotbed for both sports and we are excited to bring the OCAA baseball and basketball provincial championships to our city and campus," said Babcock. "With a provincial title and trip to nationals on the line, teams will be leaving it all on the court and diamond making for some exciting action."
Durham College is no stranger to hosting major events. This past season, the school hosted the OCAA women's volleyball championship as well as the volleyball and basketball all-star games.
"Hosting these events is a great opportunity to showcase our campus facilities, hospitality and the Oshawa community to the rest of the province," said Babcock. "We are looking forward to all three events and welcoming athletes from all across Ontario."
For more information or sponsorship opportunities for all of the provincial events, please contact Scott Dennis at (905) 721-2000 Ext. 2784 or scott.dennis@dc-uoit.ca.
Source: Durham College