View source for Ontario Tech Ridgebacks

{{Short description|Athletic teams representing Ontario Tech University}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}{{more citations needed|date=August 2017}}
{{Infobox college athletics
 | name = Ontario Tech Ridgebacks
 | logo = Ontario_Tech_Ridgebacks_logo.png
 | logo_width = 200
 | university = [[Ontario Tech University]]
 | association= [[U Sports]]
 | conference = [[Ontario University Athletics]]
 | director = Scott Barker
 | location = [[Oshawa]], [[Ontario]]
 | teams = 16
| mens_teams   = 8
| womens_teams = 8
| coed_teams   = 
 | stadium = 
| basketballarena             = Recreation and Wellness Centre
| volleyballarena             = 
| icehockeyarena              = Ice Centre
| baseballfield               = 
| softballstadium             = 
| soccerstadium               = Vaso's Field
| lacrossestadium             = Vaso's Field
| natatorium                  =
| tenniscourt                 =
| sailingvenue                =
| rowingvenue                 = Durham Rowing Club
| golfcourse                  = Oshawa Golf and Curling Club
| trackvenue                  =
| arena2                      =
 | mascot = Hunter the [[Rhodesian Ridgeback|Ridgeback]]
 | nickname = 
 | fightsong = 
 | colour1 = {{color box|#003C71}} {{color box|#0077CA}} {{color box|#E75D2A}}<br>Dark blue, light blue, orange<ref>{{cite web|url=https://brand.ontariotechu.ca/|title=Brand Central|publisher=University of Ontario Institute of Technology|access-date=27 March 2019}}</ref>
 | pageurl = https://goridgebacks.com/ 
| altlogo = [[file:Ontario tech athletics wmark.png|250px]]
}}

The '''Ontario Tech Ridgebacks''' are the athletic teams that represent [[Ontario Tech University]] in [[Oshawa]], [[Ontario]], Canada. The Ridgebacks have been competing in [[Ontario University Athletics]] since 2006 and have been a member of [[U Sports]] since 2008.

The Ontario Tech Ridgebacks compete in [[badminton]], [[soccer]], [[women's lacrosse]], [[curling]], [[golf]], [[rowing (sport)|rowing]], [[dance]], [[basketball]], and [[ice hockey|hockey]]. Formerly, the Ridgebacks had a [[tennis]] program. However, in 2016 after 10 seasons the university decided to eliminate the tennis program in favour of creating a [[badminton]] program.

==Varsity sports==
{| class="wikitable"; style= "text-align: "
! width= 150px style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Ontario Tech Ridgebacks|border=1|color= white }}"| Men's sports
! width= 150px style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Ontario Tech Ridgebacks|border=1|color= white }}"| Women's sports
|-
| Badminton || Badminton
|- 
| Basketball || Basketball
|-
| Curling || Curling
|-
| Golf || Golf 
|-
| [[Ontario Tech Ridgebacks men's ice hockey|Ice hockey]] ||  Ice hockey 
|-
| Lacrosse || Lacrosse
|-
| Rowing || Rowing 
|-
| Soccer || Soccer 
|}

===Badminton===
Announced in 2016, in conjunction with the elimination of the Tennis program, the university created and began the Badminton program. The inaugural coach for the introduction of the program is Wayne King, a decorated OUA badminton coach with years of experience with the University of Toronto badminton program.

===Men's ice hockey===
{{main|Ontario Tech Ridgebacks men's ice hockey}}
[[File:Ridgebacks goalie 2013 preseason.JPG|thumb|150px|Ridgebacks' goalie Jesse Raymond ready for a face-off (September 2013)]]

The current head coach of the men's ice hockey team is Curtis Hodgins. The coaching staff includes Rob Powers (assistant), Joe Piccone (assistant), Dave Kennedy (goalie coach), and Cameron Bickle (video coach). Other staff include Spencer Segriff (equipment manager), Brad Gauld (scouting), and Sean Myers (scouting). 

Hodgins took the role leaving the [[Cobourg Cougars]] ([[Ontario Junior Hockey League|OJHL]] Junior A) mid-season in 2015–16 to take over from former head coach [[Craig Fisher]], who resigned due to medical concerns. [[Craig Fisher]], whose hiring was announced two weeks before the start of the 2013–14 OUA playoffs, was the result of the university's search for new direction after the disappointment of recent seasons; placing emphasis on improving academics, and team culture.

==Logo and mascot==
Ontario Tech's athletic team colours are [[blue]] and [[orange (colour)|orange]].

The university's mascot and logo is based on a [[Rhodesian Ridgeback]] breed of [[dog]]. From the Ridgebacks' website, 2013:<blockquote>“[The Rhodesian Ridgeback] is a large and well muscled hunting dog that is legendary for its ability and use in hunting down lions. Strong and extremely competitive by nature, the Ridgeback is also lightning quick and deftly alert while constantly paying attention to its surroundings. Known as a dominant dog with aggressive instincts, the Ridgeback moves, not only like a hunting dog, but like a dog of prey. It is strong willed and confident and thrives on vigorous exercise and athletic activities. It is equally as tough in the water as it is on land.” <ref name="UOIT Website">{{cite web|title=UOIT Tradition|url=http://www.uoitridgebacks.com/goal/index.htm|publisher=University of Ontario Institute of Technology|access-date=November 7, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109010809/http://www.uoitridgebacks.com/goal/index.htm|archive-date=November 9, 2013}}</ref></blockquote>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{ccat}}
* {{oweb}}

{{Toronto Sports}}
{{Ontario Sports}}
{{Ontario University Athletics}}
{{U Sports men's ice hockey}}
{{U Sports women's ice hockey}}
{{U Sports soccer}}

[[Category:U Sports teams]]
[[Category:Sport in Oshawa]]
[[Category:Ontario Tech University|Ridgebacks]]
[[Category:2006 establishments in Ontario]]