The York University Lions football team will get a taste of game action before the Ontario University Athletics season officially begins with the addition of an exhibition contest against the Bishop's University Gaiters at the end of training camp.
Based in Sherbrooke, Que., the Bishop's team will travel to Toronto to face the Lions on Saturday, Aug. 27 at 12pm in the first game of a home-and-home series between the two teams. The Lions will travel to Quebec next year for another non-conference contest at Coulter Field, a 2,200-seat capacity stadium located at Bishop’s campus.
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| Above: The Lions will take on the Bishops University Gaiters in game action on Aug. 27. Tickets are free and available at the gate. |
This will be the second home-and-home series between the two teams following a similar one in 1988 and 1989. On Sept. 3, 1988 the two teams tied 17-17 on York's home field and the following year Bishop's won the return match 26-10.
For the Lions, the game represents a golden opportunity for the players to gain some experience on the field together before beginning league play the following week. With more than 50 new recruits coming into training camp, the new-look Lions feature a completely overhauled roster and will now head into their season opener against the Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks with a game under their belts (see YFile, Aug. 15).
“The opportunity to play an exhibition game with a young team is invaluable for us,” said York Lions head coach Warren Craney (right). “When you factor in an opponent with the success of Bishop's, the experience is priceless! I'm looking forward to welcoming them back to York later this summer.”
Bishop's, which plays in the Quebec University Football League (QUFL), went 5-4 in league play last year to finish in fourth place in the conference standings before falling to the eventual Vanier Cup champion Laval Rouge et Or in the QUFL semifinals.
Tickets are free and available at the gate.
The Lions will host the Laurier Golden Hawks in their home opener on Monday, Sept. 5 at York Stadium, with kick-off set for 1pm.