Colleges can’t afford travel that a league schedule brings, says Humber athletic director Doug Fox

Maciej Chabelski
Sports Reporter

The Ontario College Athletics Association is meeting in April to discuss the possibility of bringing varsity hockey back.

“We will need commitment from at least five colleges to bring hockey back as a varsity sport for the 2009-2010 season,” said Blair Webster, the executive director of the OCAA.

Humber athletic director Doug Fox said the college would be interested in varsity hockey, but only if it was in a tournament format.

“A lot of colleges, us included, can’t afford the travelling and game schedules that come with having a varsity season,” he said. “Tournaments are more affordable.”

Hawks’ centre Brett Mccully, 23, said he has high hopes.

“We’re all hoping that (the OCAA) will return to varsity hockey,” the second-year recreation and leisure student said. “Until then, we’ll give it our all in this league.”

The men’s and women’s teams participate under the OCAA’s extramural recreational hockey league.

Colleges are offered tournament dates arranged by the OCAA and can decide which ones to attend.

The recreational label hasn’t stopped the Hawks domination of the tournaments, including a first place finish at their latest tournament in Brockville on Jan. 11.

“We play well as a team,” said Brett Mccully, centre for the Hawks. “We always finish in the top three in all of our tournaments.”

Humber ice hockey still retains a lot of the old varsity tradition, in spite of its recreational label.
The teams have uniforms, coaches, and play home tournaments at the Westwood arena located at Highway 27 and Finch Avenue.The arena was home to the Hawks during their varsity seasons, which ended in 2004.

Like any varsity team, cuts are made by coaches and players who make the team aren’t always guaranteed ice time.

“Generally, if you play poorly, you will be benched,” he said. “This competition helps you maintain your skill level.”

Jim Bialek, head coach of the women’s hockey team, says the competitive atmosphere ensures Humber has its best players in tournaments.

“We send our champions, our all-stars to face other champions and all-stars,” he said. “They would be playing varsity normally.”