Ontario Tech University awarded rights to host its first-ever U SPORTS national championship event

The Ontario Tech Ridgebacks varsity sports program has been granted their right to host a U SPORTS national championship for the first time.

The U SPORTS 2024-2025 men’s soccer championship tournament will take place at Vaso's Field, situated at Ontario Tech’s north Oshawa campus location. The event in November 2024 will take place at Vaso’s Field, a premier Canadian soccer facility with FIFA-approved artificial infill turf. The venue boasts a capacity of 1,500 seats, and has been home to several provincial and national events. 

The Ontario Tech Ridgebacks men’s varsity soccer program launched in 2009.

Recent Ridgebacks men’s soccer highlights

• In 2022-2023:
  • Chris Campoli became the first Ontario Tech athlete in any sport to win a U SPORTS player of the year award.
  • The Ridgebacks men’s soccer team led Ontario University Athletics (OUA) with an 11-1-0 record, winning the east division title, and was the top team in the province leading York by a single point at the end of the year.
  • Chris Campoli and Jacob Begley were named first team All-Canadians.
  • Trivine Esprit and Chris Campoli were both drafted by York United in the 2023 CPL-U SPORTS draft.
  • The men’s soccer program had a record number of five OUA all-stars.
  • Ramin Mohammadi was named OUA coach of the year, while Chris Campoli was named the OUA league’s Most Valuable Player of the year.
• In 2019, Fadi Salback led the country in scoring with 16 goals.

Quotes

“Being awarded the 2024 men’s soccer championship has our campus and community buzzing. The City of Oshawa has been a proud partner throughout this entire bid process and is looking forward to welcoming the nation’s best players to Ontario Tech as part of the celebration of the 100-year anniversary of the City’s incorporation. Our team has been nationally ranked and a contender in the OUA in recent seasons, meaning they are ready for this next challenge. As a committee, we look forward to hosting in 2024 and showcasing our Ridgebacks program on the national stage.”
- Scott Barker, Director, Athletics and Recreation, Ontario Tech University.

“We are thrilled to be hosting the 2024 U SPORTS men's soccer national championship at Ontario Tech University. This is the first time that the university has hosted a varsity championship at the national level, and we are excited to host Canada in Oshawa. Sport helps teach valuable life skills like teamwork and discipline, and contributes to self-confidence and responsibility. Our student-athletes are the civic leaders of tomorrow, and we are very proud to bring our entire community together to celebrate the success of soccer.”
- Dr. Steven Murphy, President and Vice-Chancellor, Ontario Tech University.

Media contact

Christopher Cameron
Sports Info and Marketing Co-ordinator
Ontario Tech Athletics
905.721.2000 ext. 6285
christopher.cameron@ontariotechu.ca