UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO MISSISSAUGA JOINS OCAA

TORONTO - Blair Webster, executive director of the Ontario Colleges Athletics Association (OCAA), announced today that University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) will become OCAA's 30th member school, effective April 28, 2014.

UTM will begin competing in the upcoming 2014-15 OCAA season in the tournament sports of badminton, cross country and men's and women's indoor soccer. UTM will join OCAA league sports beginning in 2015-16 in men's and women's (outdoor) soccer, then in 2017-18 in men's and women's basketball and volleyball.

"The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association is pleased to welcome the University of Toronto Mississauga as an affiliate member of the OCAA beginning with the 2014-15 season," said Webster. "UTM has been a valued participant and host in campus recreation since 1993 and we look forward to them contributing in a similar manner with their introduction of varsity programming next year."

UTM is the third satellite university campus to join the OCAA in the past three years. Wilfrid Laurier University Brantford joined OCAA in May, 2011 while Lakehead University Orillia became an affiliate member last year.

"UTM is thrilled to be accepted as an affiliate member of the OCAA," said UTM athletic director Ken Duncliffe. "This opportunity will enhance the UTM student experience by providing varsity-level sport engagement and competitions on our own campus. Our student-athletes are excited to represent UTM in this excellent competitive program."

"The affiliate status will expand on the current membership UTM has had with the OCAA in the Ontario Colleges Committee on Campus Recreation (OCCCR) extramural programs. UTM has been hosting tournaments for the past 10 years and competing in the OCCCR extramural program since 1993."

The OCAA currently oversees 11 varsity sports. In seven of these sports, the provincial champions go on to compete for national championships. In addition, OCAA member institutions compete in over 30 extramural club sport events through the OCCCR, and organize over 500 intramural on-campus sport events.

- OCAA -

ABOUT ONTARIO COLLEGES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is a recognized leader in intercollegiate athletics in the province, dedicated to student athlete and sport development. The OCAA has 29 members sponsoring 11 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