Brock University: Brock Badgers look to build upon historic athletic campaign
The Brock Badgers are gearing up for their 59th sports season after enjoying a historic athletic campaign during the 2021-22 season.
Last season, the Badgers recorded the most successful sports season in Brock University’s history with seven championship titles, and 10 teams earning a place at the national championships. A total of 30 teams represented Brock at the provincial level.
The Badgers begin 2022-23 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) league play when the men’s and women’s soccer teams visit Algoma in Sault Ste. Marie on Friday, Sept. 2.
In September, more than 730 Brock student-athletes will participate in tryouts and training camps to prepare for the fall and winter sports seasons.
“This season will be one where our teams will strive to renew and revitalize a student experience that engages Badgers’ biggest supporters: students, alumni, family and friends,” said Melissa Krist, Executive Director, Brock Sports and Recreation. “We are looking forward to continuing to build on the momentum we have built with last year’s unprecedented championship season.”
The Badgers have several new head coaches leading teams into this season including: Courtney Gilbert (softball), Sean Medeiros (men’s rugby), David Ling (men’s and women’s swimming), T.J. Manastersky (men’s hockey), Carli Tingstad (women’s soccer) and Aleks Balta (men’s soccer).
The most significant change for the Badgers this campaign will be a return to full regular season programming after the University and OUA altered training and event schedules to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
The OUA soccer schedule is back up to 12 games from 10 the previous year. The Brock volleyball teams play a 20-game regular season schedule after just 14 matches in 2021-22. The Brock basketball teams will play 22 games, which is five more games than last year.
The Brock men’s and women’s hockey teams will each embark on 27-game regular season schedules in a new home, Canada Games Park, located adjacent to Brock’s main campus.
After three years away, the legendary Steel Blade Classic returns to the Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharines as the men’s hockey team hosts the Guelph Gryphons on Friday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m.