TORONTO - The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) has finalized its league schedules for the upcoming 2016-17 varsity regular seasons.
The OCAA is entering its 50th season in 2016-17. Founded on June 9, 1967, six of the OCAA's original varsity sports (men's and women's basketball; curling; golf; and men's and women's volleyball) have stood the test of time, and will celebrate their golden provincial championships in the upcoming months.
League competition begins on Sept. 9 in men's baseball, men's and women's rugby, men's and women's soccer, and women's softball. Men's and women's basketball as well as men's and women's volleyball begin on Oct. 21.
The St. Clair Saints are the three-time defending champions of men's baseball, and are coming off a perfect 2015-16 season. St. Clair begins its new season on the road in a twin bill against the Fanshawe Falcons in London on Sept. 9, a rematch of the 2015 OCAA gold medal game.
2016-17 OCAA Men's Baseball Schedule: http://ocaa.prestosports.com/sports/bsb/2016-17/schedule
OCAA men's rugby has a different look in 2016-17 as the defending champion Trent Excalibur will compete in Ontario University Athletics this season. The OCAA regular season kicks off on Sept. 9 as the St. Lawrence Vikings host the Algonquin Thunder in Kingston.
2016-17 OCAA Men's Rugby Schedule: http://ocaa.prestosports.com/sports/mrugby/2016-17/schedule
OCAA women's rugby will also have a unique look in 2016-17. For the first time, five teams will compete in women's rugby sevens. The new OCAA league sport makes its debut Sept. 24 when all teams travel to Hamilton for matches hosted by the Mohawk Mountaineers.
2016-17 OCAA Women's Rugby Sevens Schedule: http://ocaa.prestosports.com/sports/wrugby/2016-17/rugby7s
Four teams will compete in the traditional 15-per-side format. The defending champion Fleming Knights begin their title defence Sept. 18 when they visit the Algonquin Thunder in Ottawa.
2016-17 OCAA Women's Rugby Schedule: http://ocaa.prestosports.com/sports/wrugby/2016-17/schedule
The Humber Hawks have won three of the last four OCAA and national championships in men's soccer. Their regular season opener takes place on Sept. 13 against their crosstown rival George Brown Huskies in Etobicoke.
2016-17 OCAA Men's Soccer Schedule: http://ocaa.prestosports.com/sports/msoc/2016-17/schedule
The Algonquin Thunder have advanced to the last three OCAA gold medal matches in women's soccer, winning twice. Algonquin begins its quest for a repeat Sept. 10 when they host the Centennial Colts in Ottawa.
2016-17 OCAA Women's Soccer Schedule: http://ocaa.prestosports.com/sports/wsoc/2016-17/schedule
The Durham Lords women's softball team was the Cinderella story of 2015-16, winning the OCAA championship as the lowest seed. Durham opens the 2016-17 campaign Sept. 11 in a doubleheader versus the Seneca Sting in North York.
2016-17 OCAA Women's Softball Schedule: http://ocaa.prestosports.com/sports/fastball/2016-17/schedule
The OCAA basketball seasons begins on Oct. 21 with the Sheridan Bruins and St. Lawrence Vikings hosting doubleheaders in Brampton and Kingston, respectively. In addition, the Algonquin Thunder women's team visits the Durham Lords in Oshawa.
2016-17 OCAA Men's Basketball Schedule: http://ocaa.prestosports.com/sports/mbkb/2016-17/schedule
The defending men's and women's basketball champions Humber Hawks begin their 2016-17 campaigns at home Oct. 26 when they host the Fanshawe Falcons. This marks the first time that an OCAA team is defending a national women's basketball crown.
2016-17 OCAA Women's Basketball Schedule: http://ocaa.prestosports.com/sports/wbkb/2016-17/schedule
The Fanshawe Falcons won their first men's volleyball provincial championship in 46 seasons last February, and host their 2016-17 regular season opener against the Niagara Knights on Oct. 26.
2016-17 OCAA Men's Volleyball Schedule: http://ocaa.prestosports.com/sports/mvball/2016-17/schedule
The Humber Hawks are the nine-time defending women's volleyball provincial champions, having won 106 consecutive matches in OCAA regular and post-season play. They look to make it 107 straight on Nov. 3 when they host the Conestoga Condors.
2016-17 OCAA Women's Volleyball Schedule: http://ocaa.prestosports.com/sports/wvball/2016-17/schedule
Tournament sports have open competitions leading into their respective provincial championships. Dates for these events will be made available at a later date.
League sports schedules are subject to change.
- OCAA -
ABOUT ONTARIO COLLEGES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is the recognized leader in intercollegiate athletics in the province, dedicated to student-athlete and sport development. The OCAA has 29 members sponsoring 12 varsity sports.
For additional information please contact:
Josh Bell-Webster
Marketing and Communications
Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
Fax: 416-426-7308
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com