Message from the Director of Sports & Recreation Sept 2020
Message from the Director of Sports & Recreation Sept 2020
As part of the Western Mustangs Alumni Association you understand the value of student athletics. Being a Western Mustang is about much more than just competition, it is about teamwork, leadership, and resilience. We are drawing upon all of these things as we go through one of the most challenging periods in our history.
As you are likely aware, the Western Sport and Recreation team was busy over the summer preparing Return to Sport and Facility Reopening plans. We reopened briefly for students while meeting provincial guidelines, initially reducing capacity in our rec facilities, and providing new and robust cleaning and safety protocols, however due to the current situation of rising cases amongst students have had to temporarily close again. For more information on this evolving situation, see www.uwo.ca/coronavirus
In addition to honouring scholarship commitments to student-athletes, Western is committed to caring for and investing in our students to ensure their overall wellbeing.
Although Championship play has been cancelled by U SPORTS and the OUA, this currently affects only the sports that have a fall championship, which currently includes: Golf, Tennis, Baseball, Rugby, Lacrosse, Rowing, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Soccer, Football, and Water Polo.
At this time, no decisions have been made beyond the 1st Term timeframe. The OUA is dedicated to delivering sport once our provincial public health authorities indicate it is safe to do so.
Two-term sports (i.e. basketball, hockey, swimming, and volleyball) are being planned for based on a number of potential start dates. Mustangs Sport, the OUA and our peer institutions continue to plan for return-to-play in the new year that would include condensed schedules for two-term sports.
The cancellation means there will be no competitive league play or championships. Mustangs student-athletes and coaches will still train and play in exhibition games when permitted.
Sports and Recreation will continue to offer a wide range of digital activities to support students and student-athletes, including:
- Virtual support from coaches to maintain high-quality athletic training adjusted to meet the constraints of physical distancing.
- Honouring scholarship commitments to student athletes.
- Care for, and investment in, our student-athletes to ensure their overall wellbeing.
- Live webinars for all students.
- Strength and conditioning sessions for all students.
I also wanted to update you that Western Sports & Recreation and Student Experience are undertaking a Sport programme review. Reviews are a mechanism commonly used at Universities, and are held at regular intervals. This review will also draw upon the data and the broad-based consultation work that was gathered during the development of the Weese Report. The 2017 Weese report recommended to do a follow-up review of Western Sport again in 2020.
We have identified some Athletic Directors and Student Affairs Professionals from other Universities to work with us on an external review that will contribute to the final report.
And last, but definitely not least, I wanted to update you about our robust digital homecoming plans for October 17, 2020.
Our Alumni Relations featured Sports and Recreation programming will take place in the afternoon on Saturday from approximately 1-5pm. We may have additional programming before and after this time, more details to come.
As a preview: we will be hosting a Virtual Tailgate and Football game, with broadcasting throughout the afternoon from Kirkley Terrace or Labatt Lounge depending on weather. Our programming will include Mustangs Nostalgia - Purple and White Horses, Cheerleaders, JW Mascot. We will have hosts for the afternoon, that are to be confirmed, with lots of ways for our Alumni to be engaged with us on the actual day including online trivia contests, favourite Mustangs Recipes, WMAA spotlights, and welcome addresses from myself, Tyler Forkes (Alumni Relations), and Greg Marshall (Head Coach, Football).
We are hoping our Mustangs Band will play periodically throughout the broadcast and at approximately 2pm we will have the Kickoff of the 2019 Football Game versus Ottawa, with new live chat and incorporating coaches and players commentary into the game as well. Stay tuned for more details about our exciting programming as well as more details about our half-time show and interview(s).
Thank you so much for all you do to support the Western Mustangs. We need you now more than ever, and really appreciate your support.
Christine Stapleton,
Director, Western Sports and Recreation