2010-11 NEWS RELEASES

Ontario University Athletics Media Release
Wednesday, May 12, 2010

OUA forms basketball and men's hockey marketing committees

HAMILTON, Ont. - Ontario University Athletics (OUA) announced on Wednesday the creation of two new marketing committees focusing on the sports of basketball and men's hockey.

Similar to the previously announced football marketing committee, these new groups will look at ways to build on an already strong product as seen on campuses and arenas across the province, as well as Quebec. Both committees have met over the past couple of weeks as they began laying the groundwork towards maximizing sponsorship and marketing opportunities in these specific sports to the benefit of the entire organization.

Members of the basketball committee, chaired by RMC athletic director Darren Cates, include former OUA student-athlete Paul Jones of the Fan 590 and Raptors TV; Jonathon Chang, manager of marketing partnerships with NBA Canada; Michele O'Keefe, executive director of Basketball Ontario; Howard Bloom, publisher of SportsBusinessNews.com; Mark Wacyk of CISHoops.ca, Dave Smart, head coach of the Carleton Ravens men's basketball team, Ward Dilse, executive director of OUA; Christine Stapleton, assistant athletic director of Waterloo Warriors; Mark Alfano, manager of facilities and events with the McMaster Marauders; and Shawn Whiteley, sports information and marketing with the Brock Badgers.

The men's hockey committee is chaired by UOIT athletic director Ken Babcock and includes former NHL player Greg Millen of CBC's Hockey Night In Canada; Dan O'Toole of TSN Sportscentre, Joe Birch, director of recruitment and education services with the OHL; Joe Kantor, vice president of business operations with the Oshawa Generals; Krystle Krasnaj, integrated marketing services with NHL Enterprises Canada; Kevin Boston, director of marketing of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association; Adam Shell, head coach of the RMC Paladins; Marlin Muylaert, head coach of the UOIT Ridgebacks; Kelly Nobes, head coach of the McGill Redmen; Kevin Figsby, head coach of the Concordia Stingers; Vito Castiglione, athletic director of the Nipissing Lakers; Tom Warden, athletic director of the Lakehead Thunderwolves; Dave Easter, marketing and communications with the Guelph Gryphons; Jim McLarty, communications and promotions with the Ryerson Rams; and Scott Dennis, sports information and marketing coordinator with the UOIT Ridgebacks.

Both Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) national basketball tournaments were held in Ontario last March, as the Carleton Ravens hosted the CIS men's Final 8 at Scotiabank Place in Kanata, Ont. for the third straight year, while the McMaster Marauders hosted the women's championship for the first of two consecutive years. OUA schools have won seven of the past eight CIS men's national championships, with Carleton winning six to go along with Brock's 2007-08 championship. The Windsor Lancers women's basketball team were national finalists in 2009-10. The MBNA Capital Hoops Classic featuring the Ottawa Gee-Gees and Ravens at Scotiabank Place in Kanata, Ont. has drawn an average of over 9,000 fans the past four seasons.

The Queen's Cup was played in front of a sold out crowd of 3,735 in Thunder Bay, Ont. as the McGill Redmen defeated the Lakehead Thunderwolves for their second OUA men's hockey championship in three seasons. The 100th Queen's Cup will be played in March, 2011. Lakehead has hosted the CIS men's hockey championship tournament the last two seasons and averaged a CIS-leading 3,028 fans during the 2009-10 regular season. The Nipissing Lakers 2009-10 debut in OUA hockey was a rousing success, averaging 2,370 fans for home games.

Information regarding the formation of an OUA women's hockey marketing committee will be announced at a later date. The 2010 OUA annual general meetings are taking place this week at Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, Ont.

– OUA –

ABOUT ONTARIO UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and its 19 member institutions are developing Champions For Life. Giving 9,000 student-athletes the opportunity to excel academically and on the playing field, while preparing for life after university. For more information, visit OUA.ca.

Courtesy of Ontario University Athletics Communications