After their strong start to the season, the Durham College (DC) men’s soccer have landed themselves in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) rankings. Released by the CCAA on September 21, the Lords have moved into the national rankings in the 14th position.

Ranked fourth in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) polls, Durham has a 2-1-0 record to start conference play including a 2-1 comeback victory over the Fleming Knights on the road Saturday.

“We are very proud of our men’s soccer program’s success this season,” said Ken Babcock, director of athletics. “Since becoming head coach, Dave (Ashfield) has made our program an annual contender in the OCAA and CCAA. It is a good start to the year, but the team knows they will have to continue to work hard in order to achieve their year-end goals.”

The Lords only loss came to No. 3 ranked Algonquin, as they dropped a 2-1 decision to the Thunder on the road.

Overall Durham has posted a 6-2-0 record including a pair of wins against National Junior College Athletic Association opponents.  

The last time DC’s men’s soccer was nationally ranked was in Dave Ashfield’s first year as head coach when the Lords reached the 12th spot in October of 2014.

That season, the team had their first OCAA final four finish since 1999.

Durham is set to host two games at home this weekend as they welcome the St. Lawrence Vikings (Saturday) and Cambrian Golden Shield (Sunday) to Vaso’s Field. Kickoff is at 3:15 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. respectively.

Durham College (DC) volleyball players, Jessica Broad, Kristen Curtis, Matt McGirr and Andrew Watson, and women’s head coach, Tony Clarke, were recently recognized with awards at the Ontario Collegiate Athletic Association (OCAA) championship banquets.

Broad and Curtis were both named East Division first team all-stars, while McGirr was named an East Division second team all-star, and Watson was named to the OCAA all-rookie team.

Clarke was named  East Division coach of the year after leading the Lords to a 17-1 record and their first east division title since the 2012-2013 season. In two seasons with the women’s volleyball program, he has posted an impressive 30-6 conference record. Clarke was also selected by the league as a nominee for the Canadian College Athletic Association coach of the year award.

The women’s and men’s teams are currently competing in the OCAA championships. For more information please visit durhamlords.com.

Durham College (DC) student-athletes continue their commitment to the local community through fundraising and community events. The DC Athletics department is involved in a variety of community initiatives, providing a great experience for the athletes by encouraging them to lend a helping hand.
 
Fundraising events
This season, the women’s softball team stepped up to the plate and gave back to multiple causes through their 50/50 draws held each game. Those groups included the Canadian Cancer Society – Durham Region and the ALS Society, in addition to providing funds for treatment for Maria Iurato, cousin of Lords catcher Justine Pike. The softball team also donated items to the Whitby Salvation Army Food Bank and the Denise House in Oshawa.
 
In September, the men’s baseball team fundraised for Play Global, an organization that teaches baseball to coaches and youth in developing countries and areas of conflict, using baseball as a way to help kids see past their differences, respect others and play as a team. The Lords not only raised a monetary donation for the charity, but collected equipment to send to Uganda.

The women’s volleyball team made raising funds and awareness for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – Ontario Chapter a priority this season. Heading into the winter break, the team is approaching $500 raised and will continue with raffles and other initiatives in the New Year. At Christmastime they also collected toys to donate to the YWCA Durham’s annual toy collection.
 
Community events
The Lords participated in a number of community events this season, including the Terry Fox Run in Oshawa, the 10th Annual Walk for Mental Health Awareness and the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
 
The Athletics department was also involved with the 2015 Pan Am Games at multiple venues in various volunteer roles. Women’s volleyball alumnae, Alana McNeill, was part of the volleyball staff at Exhibition Centre, while Jenn Bowers was a line official at the beach volleyball venue. In Ajax, the department was represented by four volunteers during baseball events.

In November, the department welcomed the Adult Social Club from the Abilities Centre in Whitby to the men’s and women’s volleyball doubleheader against the Algonquin Thunder.
 
If you’re interested in participating in any of these community initiatives, please contact the Athletics department.

It was all Lindsay Panchan at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre on November 20.

The second-year Sport Business Management student led the Durham College (DC) women’s basketball team with 41 points in their 66-64 victory over the Algonquin Thunder, in the process breaking DC’s record for most points in a single game.

The previous record of 38 points was set by Jenn Hevey on October 16, 1998 against Georgian College when the Lords defeated the Grizzlies 75-26. 

“I’m extremely happy to find out I broke the record here at Durham College, but we aren’t even halfway through the season,” said Panchan. “I’ll take a little bit of time tomorrow to enjoy it, but Monday we’re back in the gym preparing for our next game and that’s where our focus is right now.”

The loss was Algonquin’s first of the season and only their fourth in the last seven years against DC, having won their last 17 head-to-head match-ups, dating back to January 12, 2007.

Panchan and Brittany Walters were the Lords lone scorers after the opening quarter as Algonquin was ahead 16-10. In the third, Panchan had 11 of DC’s 21 points as they took a 48-46 lead into the final 10 minutes.

Algonquin had a shot for the win in the dying seconds, but DC held on for the victory after Walters gave the Lords the lead in the final minute, making a pair of free throws to put them ahead for good.

Panchan also added 11 rebounds for the double-double, while Walters finished the game with 10 points.

The Durham College (DC) women’s softball team is back on top after winning the 2015 Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) championship. The host Lords defeated the Humber Hawks 7-3 on October 24 at Durham Field to win the OCAA title, the program’s first since 2011.
 
Championship MVP Caitlyn Omelanchuk pitched a complete game for Durham, allowing three earned runs on nine hits and six walks in the win. She struck out three in the final.
 
“It’s always good to win at home, but it’s also good to win anywhere,” said head coach Jim Nemish. “We’ve been looking to put a new championship sign up there on the outfield fence; it’s been a few years. It’s just special to win at home on your home field.”
 
At the plate, player of the game Justine Pike led the Lords, going 2-for-2 with a walk and an RBI. Rebecca Ropp was also named a tournament all-star for DC, finishing the tournament with a .538 batting average.
 
DC made their way to the championship final by defeating the Canadian Collegiate Softball Association (CCSA) champion St. Clair Saints, 8-5 and Fanshawe Falcons, 11-3 on Friday.
 
“They’re a young team and we’ve been up and down all season, but last Sunday we had a good talk with the girls and told them they’ve got to play with heart,” said Nemish. “This game is played with heart, discipline and being able to make adjustments. They bought into that and we went on a roll, sweeping Fanshawe, Conestoga and then went undefeated. You can use the cliché ‘peaked at the right time,’ but the girls played solid ball and believed in themselves this weekend.”

The Toronto Blue Jays are the hottest team in the majors. Minor baseball registrations are up. Canada has fallen back in love with America’s pastime.

In 2015, the Durham College (DC) Lords’ men’s baseball team is doing their part in growing the game internationally having teamed up with Play Global.
 
A charitable initiative formed in 2012, Play Global teaches baseball to coaches and youth in areas of conflict and developing countries including Uganda, using baseball as a way to help kids see past their differences, respect others and play as a team. 
 
“It is really important for our guys to give back,” said DC head coach Sam Dempster. “With all of the challenges kids face in Uganda (poverty, malnutrition, malaria, etc.), they still want to play baseball. The sport has given so much to our players growing up so we are excited to be able to give back.”
 
At the Lords’ home opener on September 13, a fundraising barbecue was held in support of the charity, raising $350, a portion of which was used to purchase warm-up t-shirts crested with Ugandan Baseball logos. These shirts are currently being worn by the team and at the end of the season will be autographed and sent to Ugandan youths.

Along with the shirts, the team will also send a variety of baseball equipment including gloves, cleats, bats, uniform tops, pants, hats, baseballs, batting helmets and catcher’s gear as well as a number of DC campus recreation t-shirts.

For more information on the Durham College baseball team, visit www.durhamlords.com.
 
For more information on Play Global, visit www.play-global.org.

The Durham College (DC) men’s soccer team is getting used to their annual team photo with DC President, Don Lovisa. Nobody even has to say ‘cheese’ with everyone smiling ear-to-ear as the Lords hold onto the Campus Cup title for another year.

This season’s win was a 2-0 final over the UOIT Ridgebacks men’s soccer team.

“We’re excited to hold onto the Campus Cup title for another year,” said DC Athletic Director, Ken Babcock. “This is such a great annual event for our student-athletes, as well as the students in attendance. We’re proud to be Lords and hope that this builds some school spirit as our teams prepare for their respective regular seasons.”

Bruce Cullen opened the scoring for DC in the 13th minute of the shortened 50-minute friendly. The Lords held the 1-0 lead at halftime.

It wasn’t until the 42nd minute that Tevin Noel-Peterson scored to pad DC’s lead. Noel-Peterson was last season’s hero as he scored the lone goal in the 2014 Campus Cup.

In the dying minutes of the match UOIT was awarded a penalty kick, but after hitting the post were unable to score as the Lords held on to win their sixth title in seven years.

DC will now open their OCAA regular season this weekend in Sudbury when they take on Cambrian College on Saturday at 3 p.m. Their home opener is Thursday, September 17 against the Fleming Knights at Vaso’s Field. Kick-off is 8 p.m.

Women’s game

This year, the Ridgebacks were dominant as they picked up a 5-0 victory over their campus rivals. Shynice Williams led the Ridgebacks with a pair of goals in the match, while Cassandra Sribny, Sara Voisin and Tyra Gordon all scored a goal apiece. In goal, UOIT keepers Helen Frampton and Victoria Savage split time to share the clean sheet.

The Durham College (DC) Lords have hosted many athletes and coaches who excelled far beyond expectation proudly representing the college, and this year two great men are being recognized for their contributions. The Ontario College Athletic Association (OCAA) Hall of Fame is inducting Ron Winterink and Gord Williamson at the end of the month.

Winterink and Williamson had memorable careers with the Lords, and they will be receiving the highest honour one can receive in Ontario collegiate sports. Dedicated to the recognition of extraordinary contributions and accomplishments the seventh OCAA Hall of Fame ceremony will be held at the Oakville Convention Centre in Oakville, Ont. on Wednesday, April 29.

“I cannot think of a greater way to honour two outstanding individuals that contributed so much to the success of athletics at Durham College,” said athletic director Ken Babcock. “Any time an athlete or coach is recognized at the provincial level, it demonstrates what influence they had in their respective sport. We are all looking forward to celebrating two great careers on hall of fame night.”

A multi-sport athlete at DC, Winterink began with the Lords in 1979. Playing soccer and basketball, he quickly established himself in the OCAA by leading the men’s soccer team to the first of two east region championships and an OCAA bronze medal in 1979 to 1980. Over three years with the men’s soccer team, the Oshawa native scored 21 career goals in 19 conference games and played a part in the program winning its first ever OCAA men’s soccer gold medal. Once he was off the field and on the court he led the basketball team in scoring during his freshman season with 12.3 points per game. He averaged a double-double over his three-year collegiate career with 11.2 points per game and 10.1 rebounds per game.

Coach Williamson joined the Lords in 1997 and turned the men’s volleyball team into a pinnacle program in collegiate volleyball. In 13 seasons, he led the Lords to eight OCAA championship appearances, six OCAA final four appearances, five OCAA medals, and one CCAA national championship appearance. With an overall record of 223-102 and a conference record of 128-52, Williamson leaves the Lords as the winningest coach in program history. As a medal contender every year, his teams have consistently been ranked nationally.

The long-time coach has also garnered the respect from his peers from around the country. In 1999-2000, he received the CCAA Coaching Excellence Award, becoming only the third Ontario coach to win the national award.

Winterink and Williamson will become the thirty-second and thirty-third DC members of the OCAA Hall of Fame. Prior to 2015, Durham has had 24 student-athletes, five coaches and two builders inducted into the Hall of Fame.

For more information on the origins and history of the OCAA Hall of Fame and to view honoured members’ biographies and photos, please visit the OCAA Hall of Fame website at www.ocaa.com/fame.