On Wednesday, November 10th, the UTM Department of Recreation, Athletics and Wellness announced via email to Varsity Athletes only that they will not be continuing any of the six OCAA varsity sports teams at UTM.

1. Women’s Basketball

2. Men’s Basketball

3. Women’s Soccer

4. Men’s Soccer

5. Badminton

6. Cross Country 

The Athletic Department has said the program is "not feasible" although UTM has the facility, staff and access to financial resources to continue the Varsity Program at UTM. Many student-athletes chose to come to UTM for the highly competitive Varsity program and have helped grow the program to excel over its six years of operation. 

We are petitioning to bring back varsity in the Fall of 2022 for these pivotal reasons: 

Mental Health 

• There are mental and physical benefits to competitive sport and physical activity
• Supporting mental health is important when coming out of a pandemic and requiring students to come back to campus

Years of Dedication and Experience 

• Each Varsity athlete has put in an average of ten years of preparation to attain the skills to reach the collegiate level of play and competition

Student Engagement

• Team sports at UTM brings a healthy amount of student engagement
• Every varsity team member along with all varsity team coaches had every intention to compete within the OCAA (Ontario Collegiate Athletic Association) once competition reconvened in January of 2021 post Ontario Covid-19 restrictions, and where shocked to learn that the UTM Athletic department chose to pull UTM Varsity teams from the OCAA league
• Students who are moving on-campus need an opportunity to engage in campus life through varsity athletic events

Resources 

• UTM has access to a high-quality fitness center, athletic trainers, newly updated locker room facilities, courts, fields, and transportation vehicles necessary to support all varsity athletics

Financial Considerations

• UTM has been making millions of dollars dedicated to recreation during the lockdown period and is now stating they "lack resources" and the "budget" to continue varsity sports
• There are ample financial resources to resume the varsity season in September 2022

Lack of Proper Warning 

• Varsity athletes were not considered, respected or consulted in this decision process
• The university failed to adequately inform and communicate with varsity players and coaches about the termination of the varsity program
• The 75 student-athletes who made a decision to attend UTM for the high-level Varsity athletic program along with the high academic program have been neglected and disrespected from a top-down decision that has affected real people’s lives and goals

Dishonored Commitment to Varsity Athletes

• Many UTM Varsity athletes were recruited to play at the Varsity level by the UTM coaches, therefore and in accordance with the Athletic Department, to represent and compete for UTM in its various sports programs
• Varsity athletes have been misled by the UTM Athletic Department and have therefore lost opportunities to compete at the OCAA level this year 

Improper Action by the University of Toronto

• UTM identifies itself as an institution that “embraces its community, values and encourages creativity, prioritizes communication, leads through innovation, and values and promotes sustainability”
• UTM did not openly communicate and put the needs and interests of the student community first, therefore it has not acted in a way that supports its above claims

Let's Bring Back Varsity to UTM, Together!!!