Ottawa Gee-Gees
| Ottawa Gee-Gees | |
|---|---|
 | |
| University | University of Ottawa |
| Association | U Sports |
| Conference | Ontario University Athletics,Quebec Student Sports Federation |
| Athletic director | Darren Cates |
| Location | Ottawa,Ontario |
| Varsity teams | 15 varsity, 17 competitive |
| Football stadium | Gee-Gees Field,TD Place Stadium |
| Basketball arena | Montpetit Hall |
| Ice hockey arena | Minto Sports Complex |
| Soccer stadium | Matt Anthony Field |
| Mascot | The Gee-Gee |
| Nickname | Gees, Garnet and Grey/Grenat et Gris |
| Colors | Garnet and grey[1] |
| Website | www |
TheOttawa Gee-Gees(French:Gee-Gees d'Ottawa) are the athletic teams that represent theUniversity of OttawainOttawa,Ontario.
The Gee-Gees won the national football championship, theVanier Cup,in 1975 and 2000, while also appearing in the game in the 1970, 1980, and 1997 seasons.[2]The Gee-Gees women's rugby team won thenational championshipin 2017, and the women's soccer team werenational championsin 1996 and 2018. The men's cross country team won three national titles, in 1986, 1987, and 1990.
The men's rugby team will host the 2024 Canadian University Men's Rugby Championship[3]and are granted automatic entry as hosts. They are undefeated at home in 2023 and 2024, and are consistently ranked as a top 10 team in the country.
The men's hockey team will host the2025 U Sports University Cupfrom March 20–23, 2025 and are granted automatic entry as hosts. The team finished the 2023–24 season 20-8.
Name
[edit]The name is a result of a progressive evolution. Similar to many older institutions, their teams were long referred to by the school's colours as the Garnet and Grey (French:Grenat et Gris). Eventually, members of the media began to refer to the teams simply as the ‘GGs’, providing a nickname in both English and French for the bilingual school's teams. The nickname stuck and would eventually be combined with ahorse racingterm (where a gee-gee is the first horse out of the starting gate) to create the currentGee-Geesteam name.[4]
Conference affiliations
[edit]| Conference | Year joined | Sport(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario University Athletics | 1968 | Primary Conference |
| Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec | Various | Women's rugby, women's hockey, women's volleyball, men's rugby |
Varsity teams
[edit]Ottawa Gee-Gees teams compete in:
|
Men's athletic teams |
Women's athletic teams
|
Competitive clubs
[edit]
|
|
Athletic facilities
[edit]| Facility | Tenant | Capacity | Constructed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gee-Gees Field | Various | 4,152 | 2013 |
| Montpetit Hall | Basketball, volleyball, swimming, badminton, water polo | 1,000 | 1972 |
| Matt Anthony Field | Women's soccer, women's rugby, men's rugby | 1,500 | 2001 |
| Minto Sports Complex | Men's ice hockey, women's ice hockey | 850 | 2001 |
Gee-Gees football
[edit]Men's basketball
[edit]2010–2012
[edit]In July 2010, the University of Ottawa appointed James Derouin, an alumnus and former player, as their new head coach after the departure of Coach Dave DeAveiro, who left for McGill University. Derouin was an assistant coach for the UBC Thunderbirds for the previous two years and was captain of the Gee-Gees men's basketball team for both the 2000–01 and 2001–02 seasons. In his final year, he also played under DeAveiro.
The 11-win 2010–11 season was successful despite falling just short of an entrance to the Final 8, losing to theMcMaster Maraudersin the OUA Final 4.
The 2011–12 regular season was more successful than the previous year. The Gee-Gees entered the OUA playoffs with a 13–9 record but were ousted by rivalRyerson Ramsby 3 points in the semifinals. The Gee-Gees had a playoff-experienced mix of veteran and young players going into the 2012–13 season.
2012–2014
[edit]
The Gee-Gees came into the 2012–13 season with the last chance to make a deep run with star Warren Ward and the rest of their graduating players.
Highly ranked[clarification needed]nationally all season, the Gee-Gees posted a 15–5 regular-season record and were dead-set on making an appearance in the CIS tournament. The team lost to bitter cross-city rivalsCarleton Ravensby 3 points in the OUA Wilson Cup final, still qualifying for the CIS Final 8 Tournament being held in Ottawa. The team lost to theLakehead Thunderwolvesin the national championship semifinals but defeated theAcadia Axemento earn their first national medal in school history with a bronze.
The2013–14 seasonwas one of the best in school history with the play of star seniorJohnny Berhanemeskeland star transfer Terry Thomas the Gee-Gees were ranked at #2 in the nation almost all season and posted a school-best 20–2 regular-season record with their two losses coming against nation's #1 Carleton. The Gee-Gees went into theOUAplayoffs as the second seed and narrowly beat theRyerson Ramsto advance to the final four inToronto.In the semifinals, Ottawa easily beatMcMasterand advanced to the gold medal game against Carleton the following day. In the final, the Gee-Gees edged Carleton by a score of 78–77 to win their firstWilson Cup (basketball)in 21 years. The loss was Carleton's first against Canadian competition in 49 straight games. Sitting on seed 1 for the Final 8 in theW. P. McGee Trophy,the Gee-Gees advanced to the final game, beating theSaskatchewan Huskiesand theVictoria Vikes.The second time this season facing Carleton, in the National Championship final game, the Gee-Gees lost this time, 79–67.
Notable alumni
[edit]- St. Patrick's High School (Ottawa)
- University of Ottawa Gee-Gees (2002, 2003)
- Lebanon National Basketball Program
- Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut (2004–present)
- 2006, 2010 FIBA World Championships
- University of Ottawa Gee-Gees (2002–2006)
- Over 1,207 career points
- OUA East Rookie Team (2002)
- OUA East All-Star (2004, 2005, 2006)
- Certified Canadian Lawyer
Joshua Gibson-Bascombe
- University of Ottawa Gee-Gees (2005–2010)
- OUA East Rookie of the Year (2005–2006)
- OUA East All-Star (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)
- NH Ostrava of the Czech Republic
- Team Canada Men's Development Team
- FISU (2007 Thailand, 2009 Serbia)
- University of Ottawa Gee-Gees (2008–2013)
- OUA East All-Rookie Team (2008–2009)
- OUA East All-Star (2009, 2010, 2012)
- Plays professionally forTBB Trier
- FISU (2011 China)
- University of Ottawa Gee-Gees (2013–2014)
- CIS All-Canadian Second Team (2012)
- CIS National Championship All-Tournament Team (2014)
- All OUA East Second Team (2014)
- CIS National Championship All-Tournament Team (2012)
- All-Atlantic Division First Team (2012)
- Atlantic Division All-Rookie Team (2011)
- Played professionally for theHamburg TowersinGermanyand in theNBL[6]
- Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School(Gloucester, Ontario)
- University of Ottawa Gee-Gees (2010–2015)
- Played professionally for theOttawa Blackjacks(2020–2022)
- Played for Team Canada Senior Men's National Basketball Team[7]
- CIS Outstanding Player (2015)
- First Team All-Canadian (2015)
- OUA Player of the Year (2015)
- Gee-Gees all-time leading scorer with 2000 points[8]
- Gee-Gees all-time leader in three-point field-goals made (299)[8]
- Gee-Gees all-time leader in playoff scoring (357 points) and playoff three-pointers made (53)[9]
- Embarked on a professional career after graduation[10]
Women's soccer
[edit]The Gee-Geeswomen's soccerprogram was founded in 1994 by current head coach Steven Johnson. The team went on to becomenational championsin 1996, in just their third season of play, after which Johnson was recognized asCIAUcoach of the year (an honour he would again receive in 2005). The team has also won CIS silver medals in 1997, 2000, 2003, and 2005 and CIS bronze medals in 2001 and 2006. They went on to win the OUA gold in 2014, and CIS bronze following in 2014 along with receiving the Ottawa Sports Award. They won OUA bronze in 2015.
The University of Ottawa women's soccer team became national champions on November 11, 2018, with a 2–1 victory over theTrinity Western Spartansin front of a home crowd.[11]Miranda Smith scored the game-winning goal to bring the university its first national soccer title since 1996. This was their first finals appearance since 2005, led by long-time head coach Steve Johnson. The Gee-Gees finished atop the OUA East with a 14–1–1 record.[12]
Women's rugby
[edit]Jen Boyd served as head coach from 2013-2023, leading the team to seven straight national medals as the first full-time head coach in women's rugby.[13]The Gee-Gees rugby team finally won their firstnational championshipin 2017 after defeating theLaval Rouge et Orby a score of 20–10.[14]The following year the Gee-Gees would fall short, finishing third in the tournament by defeating Laval 20–19, after a perfect 7–0 season to claim theRSEQchampionship.[15]Boyd was replaced after an external investigation which led to the implementation of a new safe sport program and replaced with Duncan McNaughton prior to the 2023 season.[16]McNaughton will retire following the 2024 season to make way for Canada Senior Women's Sevens head coachJack Hanratty,who most recently won led the team to a silver medal at theParis Olympics.[17]
Men's hockey
[edit]Themen's hockeyprogram was formed in 1889. The team played in theOttawa City Hockey League.The team was first known as "Garnet and Grey", as well as the other varsity athletic programs within the University of Ottawa. In the 1940s, all the varsity athletic programs became known as the "Gee-Gees", which was nicknamed by the media. The Gee-Gees had tremendous success in the 1980s. Despite, that the Gee-Gees have yet to win theUniversity Cup.Ottawa's most memorable run took place in 2004, as the Gee-Gees ousted their rivalUQTR Patriotes2–1 in the OUA playoffs, and then advanced to theQueen's Cup,hosted by theUniversity of Western Ontario.The Gee-Gees lost the OUA final toYork,but they still earned a spot in the University Cup, held inFredericton, New Brunswick,where the power-houseUNB Varsity Redsplayed host to the tournament. However, the Gee-Gees failed to record a win and went home 0–2. Notably, it was the first time since 1985 that the Gee-Gees played in the University Cup.
The Gee-Gees are well known for their successful coaches likeMickey Goulet,who is the former head coach of the Italian National Men's Hockey Team, which participated in the2006 Winter Olympicsin Torino, Italy. Coaches like Michel Boucher, Tony Zappia, and Dave Leger.
The Gee-Gees played in several rinks before the current Minto Sports Complex, which was built on the site of the Minto Arena, the formerMinto Skating Clubfacility, which was demolished in 2000. Ottawa has held games at the Sandy Hill Arena and theRobert Guertin Arenain Hull. The first rink was known as "College Yard", which was an outdoor rink in front of Tabaret Hall. The second venue for the Gee-Gees was the indoorRideau Skating Rink,which was flooded during winter for the ice surface. The site on the corner of Waller Street and Laurier Avenue is now the Arts building at the University of Ottawa.[18]
2014–2016 suspension
[edit]On March 3, 2014, the University of Ottawa men's varsity hockey team was suspended from any activity due to "severe misconduct". In a press conference, the university stated that they alerted the police due to the severity of the allegations. It was later discovered that some of the players on the hockey team were allegedly involved in a gang sexual assault on the weekend of February 1 while inThunder BayplayingLakehead University.
University of Ottawa officials were made aware of the situation by a third party on February 24, 2014. University officials gave information to Thunder Bay police, who confirmed they were in the initial stages of an investigation regarding a sexual assault.[19]The University of Ottawa conducted its own review which called for the initial suspension while the investigation was ongoing.[20]The university also contacted Ottawa police about the allegations, who in turn, cooperated with Thunder Bay police to complete the investigation.
During a press conference on March 3, 2014, the president of the university,Allan Rock,stated that the university was going to announce the suspension of the hockey program on February 28, 2014, but the Thunder Bay Police asked them to delay.[21]
Two former players ultimately faced charges related to the incident. In June 2014, Rock announced uOttawa would not ice a team in 2014–15. January 2015, Rock announced that uOttawa would sit out the 2015–16 season as well in order to give university officials more time to implement reforms.[22]The two former players were found not guilty of sexual assault in a verdict from Ontario Court Justice Chantal M. Brochu on June 25, 2018.[23][24]The team returned for the 2016–17 season.[25]
Women's hockey
[edit]Women's ringette
[edit]While technically not considered a varsity team, Ottawa has a universityringetteteam which competes annually in the Canadian nationalUniversity Challenge Cup.
Awards and honours
[edit]Athletes of the Year
[edit]| Year | Female Athlete | Sport | Male Athlete | Sport |
| 2023-24 | Natsuki Szczokin | soccer | Hugo Lemesle | swimming |
| 2022-23 | Cassandra Provost | soccer | Thomas Sénéchal-Becker | track and field |
| 2021-22 | Alexandra Ondo | rugby | Nicholas Mattinen | hockey |
| 2019-20 | Mikayla Morton | soccer | Davide Casarin | swimming |
| 2018-19 | Miranda Smith | soccer | Davide Casarin | swimming |
| 2017-18 | Dria Bennett | rugby | Jackson Bennett | football |
| 2016-17 | Simone Savary | rugby | Montana Champagne | swimming |
| 2015-16 | Devyani Biswal | track and field | Michael L'Africain | basketball |
| 2014-15 | Pilar Khoury | soccer | Johnny Berhanemeskel | basketball |
| 2013-14 | Myriam English | volleyball | Johnny Berhanemeskel | basketball |
| 2012-13 | Gillian Baggott | soccer | Warren Ward | basketball |
| 2011-12 | Hannah Sunley-Paisley | basketball | Michael Robertson | track and field |
| 2010-11 | Tess Edwards | volleyball | Brad Sinopoli | football |
| 2009-10 | Hannah Sunley-Paisley | basketball | Christopher Greenaway Josh Gibson-Bascombe |
track and field basketball |
| 2008-09 | Julia Tousaw | track and field | Josh Sacobie | football |
| 2007-08 | Christine Lamey | volleyball | Josh Sacobie | football |
| 2006-07 | Christine Lamey | volleyball | Josh Gibson-Bascombe | basketball |
| 2005-06 | Christine Lamey | volleyball | Josh Sacobie | football |
| 2004-05 | Moriah Trowell | basketball | Jermaine Campbell | basketball |
| 2003-04 | Melissa Abraham | soccer | Louis David Bonneau | swimming |
| 2002-03 | Sarah Dillabaugh | cross-country | Marko Jovic | basketball |
| 2001-02 | Danielle Day | soccer | Mark Pretzlaff | football |
| 2000-01 | Noel Trepannier | soccer | Phill Côté | football |
| 1999-2000 | Deanna Saracino | soccer | Phill Côté | football |
| 1997-98 | Nathalie Coté | track and cross-country | Ousmane Tounkara | football |
| 1996-97 | Tania Singfield | soccer | Chris Evraire | football |
| 1995-96 | Irene Enright | fencing | Jean-François Rivard | hockey |
| 1994-95 | Julie Gareau | soccer | Jean-François Rivard | hockey |
| 1993-94 | Fabienne Perrin | basketball | Joey St. Aubin | hockey |
| 1992-93 | Fabienne Perrin | basketball | Phil Comtois | hockey |
| 1991-92 | Nadine St. Louis | badminton | Rod Lee | basketball |
| 1990-91 | Janice Haines | volleyball | John Halvorsen | cross country |
| 1989-90 | Annette Saikaley | volleyball | Chris Gioskos | football |
References
[edit]- ^Gee-Gees Visual Identity Guidelines(PDF).Retrieved11 August2018.
- ^"Vanier Cup History - CIS English".cis-sic.ca.Retrieved4 September2016.
- ^"NEWS: University of Ottawa named host of 2024 Canadian University Men's Rugby Championship".9 August 2023.
{{cite journal}}:Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^"About the Gee-Gees | uOttawa Gee-Gees".Archived fromthe originalon 2 May 2012.Retrieved27 May2012.Origin of Gee-Gees name.
- ^"Choose a facility".geegees.ca.Archived fromthe originalon 29 May 2010.Retrieved17 October2014.
- ^"Terry Thomas Signs with Island Storm of NBL Canada - Northpolehoops".Northpolehoops.3 November 2015.Retrieved16 September2017.
- ^"Canada v Virgin Islands boxscore - FIBA AmeriCup 2022 Qualifiers - 20 February 2021".FIBA.basketball.
- ^abMartin Timmerman."Career Records for Regular Season League Games for Ottawa".usportshoops.ca.
- ^Martin Timmerman."Career Records for Playoff Games for Ottawa".usportshoops.ca.
- ^Sangaré-Ponce, Moussa (21 August 2015)."Johnny B goes pro - The Fulcrum".The Fulcrum.Retrieved28 June2018.
- ^"Gee-Gees win national women's soccer championship on home turf | CBC News".CBC.Retrieved15 November2018.
- ^"Standings".U SPORTS.Retrieved15 November2018.
- ^"Head Coach".uOttawa Gee-Gees | Garnet and Grey.Retrieved15 November2018.
- ^"uOttawa women's rugby team feels the relief of a national title after two near-misses".Ottawa Sun.10 November 2017.Retrieved15 November2018.
- ^"Standings".U SPORTS.Retrieved15 November2018.
- ^CBC News (9 May 2023)."U of O women's rugby names new coach after external investigation".CBC News.Retrieved18 October2024.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^Woods, Allan (21 August 2024)."Silver sevens: The Canadian women's rugby team has been through a lot. Second at the Paris Olympics feels like a win".Toronto Star.Retrieved19 October2024.
- ^"Archived copy"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 27 June 2011.Retrieved17 April2011.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^Bradshaw, James (3 March 2014)."University of Ottawa men's hockey team suspended over alleged sex assault".The Globe and Mail.Retrieved28 June2018.
- ^Yogaretnam, Shaamini (4 March 2014)."University of Ottawa suspends men's hockey team over sex assault allegations (with video)".Ottawa Citizen.Retrieved28 June2018.
- ^Strapagiel, Lauren (3 March 2014)."Live update: UOttawa men's hockey program suspended after sexual assault allegation".Canada.Retrieved28 June2018.
- ^"University of Ottawa men's hockey remains iced for next year".CBC.ca.Retrieved4 September2016.
- ^Holder, Gord (25 June 2018)."Former uOttawa hockey players found not guilty of sexual assault".Ottawa Citizen.Retrieved28 June2018.
- ^Kupfer, Matthew (25 June 2018)."Former University of Ottawa hockey players found not guilty of sexual assault | CBC News".CBC.Retrieved28 June2018.
- ^"Ottawa men's hockey team returns to ice in 2016 after suspension due to sex assault allegations".CBC.ca.Retrieved4 September2016.
External links
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