York Stadium is the place to be this Saturday afternoon as the York University Lions football team faces off against the McMaster University Marauders.
The game, which begins at 1pm, is part of this year’s Homecoming festivities, which also include a pair of basketball games between the current Lions and teams of alumni.
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To add to the excitement, Mamdouh Shoukri, president & vice-chancellor of York University and a former McMaster v.p., and Patrick Deane, McMaster’s newest president & vice-chancellor, have a friendly wager on this game.
“In the spirit of homecoming, and as an avid York fan, I thought to make the game against my alma mater a little more interesting,” says Shoukri. “If York University wins, McMaster’s president will have to wear a York sweatshirt for a day, and if McMaster wins, I will have to wear a McMaster sweatshirt 
for a day.”
The action on the field promises to be equally as exciting as the Lions look for their first win of the season. Under new head coach Warren Craney the team has made tremendous strides on both offence and defence in a short time.
Right: Starting quarterback Nick Coutu, now in his third year with the team, had his best career game two weeks ago against the University of Toronto Varsity Blues
Starting quarterback Nick Coutu, now in his third year with the team, had his best career game two weeks ago against the University of Toronto Varsity Blues, when he posted 421 total yards (320 passing and 101 rushing), while the defence continues to be anchored by veteran Steven Reading, who is currently sixth in the Ontario University Athletics with 31 tackles.
Meanwhile, McMaster comes to town on the heels of a strong 39-3 victory over the University of Windsor Lancers last week and rose to No. 7 in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport rankings on Tuesday. The win also snapped a two-game losing streak the Marauders found themselves in after triumphing in their first two contests.
Following the football game, fans can head over to the Tait McKenzie Centre, where past and present come together as the current men’s and women’s Lions basketball teams take on their counterparts of days gone past. Will experience and guile win out over youth and tenacity? Come find out! The women play at 6pm and men play at 8pm in the main gym.
Aside from the action on the field, there will be a number of additional attractions for spectators to enjoy. Fans will have the opportunity to win a pair of tickets to the Buffalo Bills game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Nov. 7, at Rogers Centre, and additional prizes are also up for grabs.
York students get into the football game for free with a YU-card, while additional tickets can be purchased at the ticket booth at York Stadium. Regular tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for non-York students and seniors, while children 12 and under are free.
York faculty and staff who would like to come cheer for their Lions can take advantage of a special offer for the Homecoming game, where tickets are only $5 with the presentation of staff identification.
A special offer is also available for all York alumni: present your Alumni Association Card at the front gate and receive two free tickets to the game.
“I hope to see as many students, alumni, faculty, staff and fans dressed in red and cheering on our Lions,” adds Shoukri. “You don’t want to miss what promises to be a fun day for everyone at York University.”