Photo by Mona Ghiz
SMU Huskies kick off Team Halifax U SPORTS bid
Maritimers have a reputation for hospitality. Hosting visitors is a point of pride for us—from shows, to competitions, to expos and more, we like to create unforgettable experiences for audiences, performers, and teams alike.
Halifax has hosted major national and international events, including city-wide efforts like the 2024 Junos, the 2018 Pan American Canoe Sprint Championships and the 2015 Canadian Country Music Week & Awards, just to name a few. Every year, we welcome people from around the globe for once-in-a-lifetime experiences made uniquely possible by our vibrant city.
University sports are no exception to this legacy of excellence, with Halifax being a major player in the university sports world, hosting various varsity championships over the last 50 years.
With the U SPORTS Men’s Hockey Championships set to take place at Scotiabank Centre March 19-22, Saint Mary’s leads Team Halifax in the first of a multi-year lineup of U SPORTS championships that are set to make waves.
So, what makes this year unique?
A brief history of hosting
In university sports, schools bid to host championships, taking on the task of hosting competing teams and spectators at their facilities while working with local hotels and restaurants to ensure visitors get a taste of the host city.
Bidding on regional or national championships not only gives student-athletes a professional competition experience, but also involves all areas of athletics in planning, organizing and executing a major sports event—a fantastic opportunity for those looking to make a career in sports business.
Scott Gray at the U SPORTS press conference in 2024
“For a 20-year span, Halifax played host to the men’s Final 8 basketball tournament here at the Scotiabank Centre, when it was called the Metro Centre. And before that, tournaments were hosted at the Halifax Forum,” says Scott Gray, Director of Athletics & Recreation at Saint Mary’s.
“Halifax has set attendance records in university men’s hockey over the course of the tournament, with upwards of 40,000 attendees across all games. Men’s basketball tournaments have seen similar numbers—in part due to our access to a professional sporting venue like the Scotiabank Centre.”
This time, instead of a single school taking on the host duties, the Maritimes are doing things a little differently.
A new era in university sports
Saint Mary’s University is partnering with Acadia University, Dalhousie University and St. Francis Xavier University to host U SPORTS championships in Halifax for the next three years. SMU is kicking off this Team Halifax approach with this year’s Men’s Hockey University Cup, with each university stepping up as the host team in subsequent years in a collaborative effort to leverage all that the city has to offer.
Partners at the Team Halifax U SPORTS partnership announcement in 2024: Chris Larsen, President, Sports & Entertainment Atlantic ; Brian Finnis, Acadia, Director of Athletics & Recreation; Cindy Tye, Dalhousie, Athletic Director; Pierre Arseneault, U SPORTS CEO; Scott Gray, Saint Mary's Director of Athletics & Recreation; Leo MacPherson, STFX, Director of Athletics & Recreation. usports.ca
Working together allows Maritime universities to make use of professional venues like the Scotiabank Centre and brings big business to local hotels, restaurants and tourist destinations as participating student-athletes come from across the country to go toe-to-toe in downtown Halifax.
“This is a professional arena,” says Gray. “It's hosted everything from The Brier and The Scotties to the World Junior Hockey Championships and Professional Women’s Hockey League games this year. This is elevating the university game in a professional setting, for both student-athletes and spectators.”
Beyond our university partners, SMU will work with the Halifax Regional Municipality, Events Nova Scotia, Events East Group, Discover Halifax and Sports & Entertainment Atlantic for a full-scale sporting experience that offers something for everyone across the city.
“This joint effort with municipal government, provincial government, professional organizations and our fellow universities is a true example of collaboration. Working with each other to provide a potentially once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our athletes is a point of pride, and although we our teams may compete with each other on the court, on the field, or on the ice—we work together in the true spirit of sport to make these experiences great. ”
What this means for SMU
SMU isn’t the only university set to host under this model, but it is the first one up to the plate. Bringing multiple sectors together isn’t for the faint of heart, and whether you’re a diehard fan or haven’t attended a game, there’s no better time to bring your Husky pride to the arena.
“It's an opportunity to be part of something unique,” says Gray. “A National Championship happens once a year, and it’s not always going to be here in Halifax. It’s an experience—seeing a high-level event that you may get to see once in your university career.”
With the championship rapidly approaching, weekend passes and single-game tickets are on sale now. Saint Mary’s will play their quarterfinal game on Thursday, March 19 at 7 p.m.
““It’s not about the hockey. It’s about Saint Mary’s.””
SMU earned bronze at the 2016 University Cup
Pre-Game event hosted by SMU Alumni
Thursday, March 19
4:30-6:30 p.m.
Durty Nelly’s, 1645 Argyle St., Halifax
To kick off the U SPORTS Championships, Saint Mary's is taking over Durty Nelly’s ahead of the 7 p.m. puck drop at the Scotiabank Centre. Expect good vibes, giveaways, exclusive prizes, and pub specials before the big game.
Whether you're an alum, a student, a faculty member, a staff member, a family member, or a friend of the SMU community, everyone's welcome to come celebrate. Let's pack the pub and show our Husky spirit.
Single Game Tickets are on sale NOW! Faculty, staff and students receive 20% off all SMU games here. Be sure to click "unlock" and enter code: STDNT20.
Alumni receive 20% off with Promo Code ALUMNI here.
Register for the Alumni Huskies Pre-Game.