UOIT Ridgebacks Media Release
Friday, January 18, 2008

Durham College and UOIT Athletes in the Community

Oshawa – Durham College and the UOIT varsity teams strive to be the best in athletics and academics having established themselves with championship caliber programs and high graduation rates. The teams have also made a strong commitment to the local community through involvement. The athletic department encourages community initiatives, providing a great experience for the athletes as well as lending a helping hand to the neighborhood in which they live in.

Below is a list highlighting recent or upcoming community events that varsity athletes at Durham College and UOIT are taking part in:

SCHOOL TOURS
Varsity athletes will travel around to local schools to talk to students about the importance of education. Athletes will describe their experience of playing sports while focusing on education. Topics such as homework, studying, respecting teachers and the importance of physical activity & living a healthy lifestyle will be discussed. The Lords and Ridgebacks will also get a chance to impress the children with some of their athletic skills while Hunter the Ridgeback and Lord Durham entertain the classes. Please contact the athletic department (905.721.2000 Ext. 2784) if you would like to book your school tour today!

MINOR HOCKEY PRACTICES
The UOIT Ridgebacks women’s hockey team is helping lead Oshawa Girls Minor Hockey League practices at Legends Arena. The team is helping future Ridgebacks fine tune their skills while having a great time.

CUB SCOUTS
The UOIT Ridgebacks men’s hockey team recently attended Cub Scout meetings. The athletes discussed the importance of education and brought up their experience of growing up playing sports, focusing on school and even being members of the scouts! All of the kids enjoyed the evening as the Ridgebacks showed off their skills playing floor hockey with the cub scouts.

HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE & PAWS FOR THE UNITED WAY
The Athletic department contributed to UOIT’s annual campus wide Holiday Food Drive that brought in over than $9,000 in donations and an impressive amount of food for families in need. The Ridgebacks also raised money by selling “PAWS” for a toonie. All proceeds from the “PAWS“ campaign went to the United Way.

AUTOGRAPH SIGNINGS – OSHAWA CENTRE AND WIMPY’S DINER (WHITBY)
Not only will the Ridgebacks be at the Oshawa Centre today and tomorrow, fans will also have the opportunity to “Eat With the Ridgebacks” at Wimpy’s Diner in Downtown Whitby on Tuesday, January 22 and Wednesday, January 23 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. Fans in attendance will win free tickets to an upcoming game and get autographs from the players. Hunter the Ridgeback will also be in attendance!

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Scott Dennis
Sports Information and Marketing Coordinator
Durham College and UOIT Athletics
905.721.2000 Ext. 2784 (P)
905.721.3117 (F)
scott.dennis@dc-uoit.ca