Nipissing University Inaugural Basketball Teams!

Most of you have probably noticed the RJSAC expansion that is going on right now. You know, the giant iron beams that are scraping the clouds... the big construction zone that forces some of us have to walk that rather sketchy pathway to the upper parking lot? Anyways yeah, so we’re getting a bigger gym, nice. But with a bigger gym comes a bigger athletic program right? SO the real question is... What is the next varsity team for Nipissing University going to be? Well I’ve outlined a few of the possibilities and then ranked them accordingly:


1. A women's hockey team. This choice makes the most sense, because we already have a men's team, and the women have proven themselves with their extramural team. We don't have Title IX in Canada, but gender equality is still important across the board.
*Fun fact: the only event in the Olmpics that is strictly for Men is boxing (Women's Boxing will be at London 2012), and the only event that is strictly for women is synchronized swimming.

2. One of the most obvious choices would be to have a varsity basketball team. With this giant gymnasium just around the corner, we’ll have enough seats to fit just about every student in there to watch the Nipissing Lakers (not to be confused with the LA Lakers). But with a basketball team the question rises: Do we have a Men’s team? Women’s team? Both? OUA or OCAA? I think if we take the basketball route, we’ll have to have a men’s and women’s team... just to be fair --And I mean we already have Extramural teams that seem to be doing pretty good so why not build off of that? Well the reality is that adding TWO Varsity teams is a little TOO expensive.

3. Maybe it’s time that our OCAA Volleyball teams move UP to compete at the OUA level? And I know me mentioning this idea is going to start a huge fight... oh well. APPARENTLY our gym right now is not big enough to allow our volleyball teams to compete at the OUA level, but who knows. I just think that maybe it’s time for all of our teams to be on the same playing field (the OUA playing field). Plus the Lakers have drowned the Panthers hopes and dreams one too many times.

4. A track and field team! Yes, I know that the new gym addition isn’t going to have an indoor track. And right now I could go off on a huge rant about how an indoor track is the single most important thing North Bay needs. For the time being our Lakers Varsity Cross Country team will continue to train all year around (outdoors and in the Northgate parking garage) and compete at indoor track meets unofficially. 

5. Well if basketball is too expensive, everyone thinks that volleyball should stay in the OCAA, and a Track team isn’t realistic then maybe it’s time for a swim team?... HAHAHA too soon? Oh yes, that’s right... the rumours aren’t true and there will not be a pool in the new athletic centre. But, we do have seasonal access to the pond behind campus. The reality is that no matter which team the university decides to go with it's going to be expensive, and probably won't happen for a few years.

So thanks for reading my latest blog post. Please feel free to leave a comment. What do you think the next varsity team should be (CHECK OUT THE POLL-->)? Maybe the University should ask the students what they want! 

A Year End Review (Nipissing University)

          When people think of North Bay they generally think of a cold, small city from Northern Ontario. And yes, they’re completely right. But, there was quite a lot happening in the City and on Campus this past year so I have ranked what I think to be the top stories of 2010. Enjoy:

9.) Library near Completion- This story is near the bottom of the list, but it still makes the list. We’ve known about the library for a few years now and we are watching it quickly come together. It’s going to be ready for next year which is pretty wicked. Finally Nipissing and Canadore students will have a place to learn that they deserve!

8.) New Mayor of North Bay- Municipal elections were held this semester and it’s “out with the old and in with the new.” Nipissing University will be wishing a warm farewell to former Mayor Vic Fedeli and hello to Mayor Al McDonald. Who’s AL? 

7.) Lakers Soccer- Well, our women’s Varsity Soccer team played exceptionally well this year. And if the weather kept you from seeing their games this season, you missed out. The Lakers had a great season (5-7-4) that landed them a spot in the playoffs. They made it all the way to the OUA quarter finals only to be shut down by the No. 1 ranked Golden Gales (in a close 2-1 OT loss). Great job Lakers.

6.) New PhD and Masters Programs (on the way)- PhD in education, and a couple of Masters programs in the field of environmental science/geography... more info to come soon!

5.) Surtees Expansion- Out of nowhere explosions were going off, and parking lots were being lost. The Surtees Centre is now expanding allowing for some much needed elbow room. The AC expansion will add 2 more gymnasiums, research space, classrooms, larger weight rooms, cardio room, squash courts and more. This is a 3 phase project and might be a while until it’s completed, but the first phase should be ready next year sometime. 

4.) Twiggs on Mckeown- With new buildings shooting up everywhere around McKeown, we (the students) will have more places to blow cash. The new Twiggs Coffee Roasters that popped up beside Lucky 13, is a social hot-spot for Nipissing and Canadore Students. It’s a great place to study, go on dates, or just enjoy some good eats. If you haven’t BEAN yet I recommend you check it out.

3.) Lakers Hockey- They were the “Top Local Newsmakers of the Year”  in 2009, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they did it again. The boys are having a great season, sitting currently in 5th (Eastern Division) and will hopefully have a long playoff run. Check out some more Lakers games next year (in 2011). You won’t be disappointed. 

2.) Our NU Chancellor- In early December Nipissing University installed a new chancellor. A pretty epic ceremony took place that all students could attend. With video messages of congratulations from all stretches of the country it was a really cool experience. Dr. Jon Dellandrea received a honourary degree at last year’s convocation, and will make a great addition to the university during his 4 year term. Jon, was appointed as a member of “The Order of Canada” in 2006 due to his contributions to higher education. With a pretty impressive resume he’s only raised a few billion dollars for universities in his life. Wow!

1.) Homecoming!- Finally, Nipissing hosts a highly successful homecoming. It was a weekend full of sporting events, guest lectures, and more. It was a very inclusive event for current students and many alumni made their way back to North Bay. For those of you who missed this year's festivities, please make sure you register for homecoming early next year!

          So that’s it folks, I’ve listed some of the stories that really stood out to me this year. I didn’t really come across any negative stories, which means we’re doing something right in the north. Leave a comment if you have a story that should have made the list!

Nipissing University is getting an ASTROTURF soccer field…

      
          Well not really, but it should. And don’t stop reading because you think that I suckered you in to reading this article with my eye catching title. The idea of Nipissing getting a turf field has been thrown around for years, and has never been classified as a “need”, but more of a “want.” Well I’m here to let you know that it is in fact a dire “need” from the students, athletes, programs, and just about anyone affiliated with the University. I’m going to outline a couple of key reasons that I feel we need an artificial turf field:

Fall in North Bay= mud

• The Deep North- It’s where we live. Typically Northern Ontario sees about 6 months (at least) of dark, cold, snowy winter. This dramatically shortens our grass field’s lifespan because we can’t really play much in the spring or fall. A Turf field can be used all year round, rain or shine, and even during the toughest winters.
• Academics- There’s a very real need in our academic programs (specifically the Schulich School of Education) for a more sustainable field. What I mean by sustainable is a field that will be usable all year round, with low maintenance ...and classes won’t have be cancelled for the BPHE and Education students because it’s too muddy.
• Athletics- Lets be serious, we’re one of the last universities in Ontario without a turf field. Actually, now that I think about it there are more and more high schools every year (in this province) that have successfully fundraised for a synthetic field. We’ve had to cancel OUA games and even pay money to play on city fields. Our Athletics Department also has to re-seed, irrigate, and maintain the field every year... which can be very demanding job.
• Student Life- Universities that do have turf fields are usually booked solid from early in the morning until late at night. We’d finally have a place to play catch with friends, intermurals, or do just about anything.

You wouldn't see these divots on Turf.

• Recruitment/Retention of students- Students typically choose a university based on the "extras" it has to offer. Nipissing University has a lot of "extras," but I think along with our outstanding residences, new library, athletic centre expansion, new research wing, and one of the country’s best student bars I think a turf field would fit in nicely.
• Revenue- Nipissing could have the only Turf field in North Bay, and they next closest one would be a few hundred miles (yes miles) away. This brings opportunity for hosting soccer, ultimate frisbee, and other tournaments= money!
• Partnership- Nipissing shares a gym with Canadore College, but we also have our own, The Robert J. Surtees Athletic Centre.  SO maybe it’s time to partner up again, just like the libraries, and engage in a joint venture building this field.

The future of Nipissing?

           So there it is... I’ve laid out all kinds of reasons why I think we “need” this field. Obviously nothing will happen without the financial backing from investors/sponsors, and support from university community. With a price tag of just under a million dollars (that’s all!) we’d have to come up with some pretty creative ways to raise the capital... maybe selling turf for $171.00 per square yard could be a start?

*OUA soccer fields are 70x100 yards= 7000 square yards, there’s a million dollar price tag to build a turf field, which costs roughly $171.00 per square yard

Thanks for reading this post, and be sure to vote in the POLL to the right!>>>