The Return of Varsity Sports: Enhancing the University Experience
Written by Lauren Davidson
Another year of school is well underway, and the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact student life at York University. However, this semester has brought a reduction in restrictions for many campus activities and events, including the university’s varsity sports games.
During the 2020-2021 season, all varsity sports games were cancelled for universities in Ontario due to the severity of the pandemic. This difficult yet necessary decision was made by Ontario University Athletics (OUA) to ensure the health and safety of all athletes. Now that the majority of the population in Ontario has been vaccinated and case counts have decreased, OUA has agreed to allow varsity sports teams to return for the 2021-2022 season.
Not only have athletes resumed competing in their respective sports, but fans have also been granted permission to attend these games in person. After purchasing their tickets online, fans have had the opportunity to cheer on York’s varsity sports teams from the York Lions Stadium stands by providing proof of vaccination and completing a simple YU screening survey. The games have been filled with prizes, promotions, and, of course, lots of excitement and support from attendees. Yeo, the mascot for the York University Lions, has even made appearances to help spread the lion pride.
At this point in the semester, many of York’s varsity sports teams are currently wrapping up, or have already finished, their regular season. Those teams include the men’s football team, the women’s field hockey team, the women’s rugby team, and both the women’s and men’s soccer teams, tennis teams, and cross country teams. Collectively, these teams have secured several wins against other teams in the OUA division, despite the challenge that the athletes faced of returning to the field after an extended amount of time away from their sport. Playoffs for these teams begin in November, with the chance of them advancing to the OUA provincial championships.
Being a part of one of York’s varsity teams has proven to truly enhance the university experience for many athletes. Therefore, having a year off from competing was quite an upset. Giuseppe Fabrizio, a second-year long snapper on York’s football team, provided some insight on how the time away from football affected him. “Honestly, coming back to the sport after a year off gave me a lot of time to think,” Fabrizio claimed. “Coming back to playing has made me see the sport in a whole other light because I now realize how fast sports can be taken away from me, and I approach it realizing that every game may be my last.” Fabrizio has made sure to enjoy every second of his return to football, “from walking out of the tunnel with my teammates or walking by the stands high-fiving fans and hugging my family.”
Dante Mastrogiuseppe, a fourth-year kicker/punter for the football team and a 2022 CFL prospect, also shared what his experience on the team has been like during his time at York University in the form of some useful advice. He expressed, “Despite the noise, the antics, and all those people across the country who say you’re not good enough, be true to yourself because hard work will take you where you need to go.” Evidently, being an athlete for York’s football team has provided Mastrogiuseppe with a high level of persistence and dedication to the sport.
Aside from the surreal experience that York’s varsity sports offer to athletes, students at York University are provided with a unique experience too. Getting the chance to cheer on your school at a varsity game is one of the must-do activities that I believe helps form the coined “complete university experience”, and it is a shame that so many students have missed out on that this past year. Even if sports aren’t really your thing, attending just one game will open you to the sense of togetherness and pride that fans share while cheering from the stands.
This weekend is the last weekend of the regular season for York’s football and soccer teams, so take the chance now - if you haven't already - and grab your tickets for the games! However, if you miss the opportunity to attend York’s varsity sports games this fall, you can still keep your eye out for tickets to the remaining sports yet to come this 2021-2022 season, such as the men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball games. Tickets are free for all York University students, and can be found at the following link: https://york.universitytickets.com/
Hope to see you at a game!