Being a student-athlete is an experience like no other. You have the opportunity to compete at a high level, while also pursuing higher education. Essentially, everything is a level up: training, competition and academics. But then you ask yourself the question: What university/college do I go to?
Understanding the collegiate track and field landscape, the options and opportunities out there for you can help you narrow down your university/college choices. There are over 1,700 schools with track and field and/or cross country programs in North America across a variety of associations and divisions. With Streamline Athletes you can browse these different colleges and associations to find the one that is right for you.
In this article, we will cover your options in Ontario, Canada, if you are looking to stay local. This means either attending a school within U SPORTS or the CCAA, the two different athletic associations within Canada.
For context, U SPORTS is the national governing body of university sport in Canada and is spread over four regional conferences nationwide. Ontario University Athletics (OUA) is the conference based within Ontario specifically and has 15 member schools. On the other hand, The Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), is the coordinating body for college sports in Canada. There are 94 member institutions that include colleges, universities, technical institutions and cégeps located throughout five conferences. The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is the conference located within Ontario with 18 member schools.
Let’s get into more detail.
U SPORTS only has two varsity seasons: cross-country and indoor track and field. The U SPORTS indoor track and field season runs from November to March, providing athletes with the chance to compete in numerous indoor meets and then properly switch gears to a summer outdoor season with their home clubs and countries. The 15 member schools in Ontario include:
- Brock Badgers
- Lakehead Thunderwolves
- Laurentian Voyageurs
- McMaster Marauders
- Nipissing Lakers
- Queens Gaels
- Trent Excalibur
- Guelph Gryphons
- Ottawa Gee-Gees
- Toronto Varsity Blues
- Waterloo Warriors
- Western Mustangs
- Windsor Lancers
- Laurier Golden Hawks
- York Lions
Now looking at the CCAA, it is important to note that this conference is cross country focused. That being said some conferences do have indoor track programs offering middle-distance events. The 18 member schools of the OCAA include:
- Cambrian Dragons
- Centennial Colts
- Conestoga Condors
- Confederation Thunderhawks
- Fanshawe Falcons
- Fleming Knights
- George Brown Huskies
- Georgian Grizzlies
- Humber Hawks
- Loyalist Lady Lancers & Lancers
- Mohawk The Mountaineers
- Redeemer Royals
- Sault Cougars
- Seneca Sting
- Sheridan Bruins
- Clair Saints
- Lawrence Sharks
- Toronto Mississauga Blues
What now?
As you can see within Ontario there are a lot of options to choose from! But it is important to do your own research and understand what you are looking for in a university or college. Streamline Athletes knows what student-athletes and their families want and need to know about collegiate recruitment. When looking at schools through their platform you will be provided with all the information you need to know such as tuition, academic rankings, student body population, coaching staff, and more. Start your own unique recruitment journey today at StreamlineAthletes.com!