C/O Lausanne hockey club
As a campus without a rink, McMaster hockey has never been a major source of popularity with students, but they certainly deserve it
Ranging from American football to soccer in both women’s and men’s categories, the Marauders have 16 sports that are representing the school in Ontario University Athletics, with an additional 11 sports that are in U-Sports.
Missing from McMaster’s list of sports is one of the most popular games in Canada; hockey. Ice hockey is not included in either U-Sports or the OUA, yet it has both representations in the men’s and women’s categories. Therefore, it is considered a “club team” and is not eligible for funding from the university, even though it represents the school in regional tournaments.
One of the main team coordinators, Natasia Kurysko, described the dynamics of the hockey team, suggesting how it thrives without much university funding, a feat not commonly found in McMaster sports. Classified as a club team, McMaster hockey has to find ways to self-provide.
“Typically, OUA teams would get massive funding from the university because they represent the school on the ‘highest level’. Since we are a club team, it’s normal for us not to be funded [to a large extent]. Instead, we would raise funds through various activities that the whole team does over the course of the season,” said Kurysko.
Team activities could range from volunteering to doing raffles to raise the money for the team from the general public and supporters. Many teams found themselves seeking further funding through campaigns such as giving Tuesday, but the hockey team was vying for more than just a budget boost.
“One of the main ways of us raising money so we could play is through raffles that are hosted every now and then. We would typically raise sufficient funds that helps us buy time on the ice rinks near McMaster. Additionally, we usually offer to volunteer at different venues in return for time on the ice, which does save us a lot of money when it comes to budgeting,” explained Kurysko.
The women's hockey team is not a team to brush over, despite the disadvantages that they’ve been given. Even though they are not in Ontario's largest university league, they have racked up numerous good results over the past few months, for example, in December, where they swept the Guelph Gryphons 5-1 away from home. Other impressive results also came against regional rivals, such as the Brampton Canadettes and Cambridge Roadrunners.
“Our goal right now is to get into the OUA. We have been trying for a while now, but unfortunately it is a long process and it will take some time. Although I don’t think that I will still be here when it happens, I’m hoping that it can be possible soon,” said Kursyko
The team really functions like a typical OUA team in many ways, such as with their regular scheduling. From their current status to OUA status really isn’t as big a jump as many might expect, with the only thing setting them apart is the difference in quantity of practices
“I think that we deserve to be a part of the OUA, we practice every week, we are always on schedule and we do participate in tournament weekends. The tournaments that we play in are pretty much high-level hockey, which is something that we are proud of,” said Kurskyo.
Teams who are not a part OUA or U-Sports teams don’t typically acquire much funding from the universities they represent, no matter how successful the team is, which is why becoming a part of the league is such a significant goal for the team. Despite their current status, they’ve been able to make the best of the opportunity they’ve been given, and want to focus on what's important to the team in their journey to becoming a part of the OUA.
“Obviously it would be ideal if we get any sort of funding that isn't from fundraisers or volunteering, but typically that doesn’t happen [to a big extent] when you’re a club team. I am not mad at all, I am in fact proud to be representing the school on a high hockey level and I’d want to continue working towards making it to the university leagues soon,” said Kurysko.
Although it’s uncertain whether the women’s hockey team will be making it to the big university leagues anytime soon, their results have been very consistent, and the team has been organized with their commitments over the years. It could be said that the women's hockey team is, perhaps, the most underrated team representing our school.
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This weekend, the McMaster figure skating team hosted their first meet in several years. The team, led by one of Mac’s captains Emma Bonafiglia, came in fourth place overall. Ontario University Athletics gold medalist Belvina Mao came in first once again for the Senior Silver Solo Dance category.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqyL8zMH8e1/
We caught up with the two Marauders below:
Belvina: Third year, kinesiology.
Emma: Fourth year, kinesiology.
B: My main reason was for the kinesiology program because it’s one of the best in the country. I was also really attracted to the fact that everyone who came to Mac loved the community feel it had.
E: I originally decided to come to Mac to join the [synchronized swim] team in my first year. I also chose Mac because it is close to home and I heard about its reputable Kin program.
Tell us a bit about the McMaster Invitational.
E: It’s a lot of work to host a tournament, but this year myself and the other captains wanted to host one. The process was a bit challenging, but overall we ended up figuring everything out and it ran smoothly the day of. In terms of skating, we came fourth overall, which is good but it’s still the beginning of the season so we have a lot to work on.
B: It was really nice because alumni, family and friends were able to come out and support [us]. Normally, they’re not able to because competitions are so far. So to be able to perform in front of them was really nice. Even though there was pressure being on home ice, it felt more like a showcase than an actual competition.
As the defending OUA Senior Silver Solo Dance gold medalist, it’s no surprise you came in first in the same category this weekend. Tell us a little about that.
B: The person who was behind me was a little close for comfort, but I was still able to skate to the best of my abilities so I was really proud of myself.
If you had to tell us one thing about yourself that people don’t know what would it be?
B: I am part of the McMaster Musical Theatre and it’s really fun to be part of something outside of school and skating. (MMT upcoming show “Company” is Feb. 22)
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E: I don’t like chocolate, but my go-to sweet treat is anything sour.
Lastly, what are your goals for this season?
B: I am hoping to defend my title as OUA champion for the Senior Silver Dance and to continue to just skate the best that I can.
E: For the team, our goal is to come top three at the OUA championships in February, and for myself, I hope to come first in my solo dance event.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Br0lmW_Hmu2/
Next up, the McMaster Figure Skating team will head to the University of Toronto to take the ice.
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Students will have to wait until the new year to enjoy an on-campus skating rink.
Initially projected to be installed by November, the Community Rink has been pushed back into the new year due to unforeseen delays. The project, a point on VP (Finance) Scott Mallon’s overarching year plan, involves the installation of a small public rink for students to access on campus during the winter.
“We said we’d get this rink on campus this year; we’re hoping that we still can,” said Mallon.
A number of roadblocks have prevented the rink from coming in before the Christmas break. Among the details, they’ve needed to consider the addition of lighting and barriers around the rink, along with other concerns brought forward by the Environmental & Occupational Health Support Services, whose approval is required for any initiative on campus.
“We realized that once we invited EOHSS into it, they were like, ‘okay you guys are a little bit ambitious,’ so it got pushed back,” he said.
“We’re aiming for Frost Week,” Mallon said. “January is ideal, but I’d even be happy if it was open for the month of February.”
“I’m still optimistic that it will be open in second semester this year at some point.”
The rink is planned to be located between Edwards Hall and McKay Hall, near Faculty Hollow. The rink is projected to be 36 by 65 feet, which is approximately the space between the blue lines on a full-size hockey rink.
Initially proposed through the Student Life Enhancement Fund, the project was originally estimated at $95,000, which covers the purchase of the rink and rink cooler, as well as bringing electricity to the site and adjusting for uneven elevations. The addition of lighting and barriers to surround the arena, along with insurance costs, will likely bring the total to around $110,000.
The rink will be able to be set up and struck down each winter, and will be maintained in collaboration between the MSU and the university. Although envisioned as a potential 24-hour operation, the cost and liability associated with it will likely only allow it to be operational during the day. Amenities like skate rentals will also not be available for this first year.
“We talked about skate rentals, but that might not happen until the second year, once we’ve actually established what it’s going to be on campus.”
The rink itself will require little maintenance once installed, and will be able to stay operational for up to three days with the temperature above five degrees C. The rink is also open for expansion if there is enough positive student feedback.
“The good thing about this is if we find out there’s a huge appetite for [the rink], we can also expand it, because you can just buy more tiles to put around.”
