View source for U Sports

{{Additional citations|date=January 2024}}
{{short description|Governing body of university sport in Canada}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2019}}
{{Infobox organization
| name                     = U Sports
| image                    = File:U Sports Logo.svg
| image_border             = 
| size                     = 150
| caption                  = 
| map                      = 
| msize                    = 
| mcaption                 = 
| abbreviation             = 
| motto                    = 
| formation                = {{Start date and age|1961}}
| extinction               = 
| type                     = 
| status                   = Association
| purpose                  = 
| headquarters             = [[Richmond Hill, Ontario]]
| location                 = 
| region_served            = Canada
| membership               = 56 schools
| language                 = 
| leader_title             = CEO
| leader_name              = Pierre Arsenault
| main_organ               = Executive Committee
| budget                   = 
| website                  = {{url|https://usports.ca}}
| remarks                  = 
}}

'''U Sports''' (stylized as '''U SPORTS''') is the national [[sport governing body]] for universities in Canada, comprising the majority of degree-granting universities in the country and four regional conferences: [[Ontario University Athletics]] (OUA), [[Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec]] (RSEQ), [[Canada West Universities Athletic Association|Canada West]] (CW), and [[Atlantic University Sport]] (AUS). The equivalent body for organized sports at [[college (Canada)|college]]s in Canada is the [[Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association]] (CCAA). Some institutions are members of both bodies for different sports.

== History ==
=== Early development (1900s–1961) ===
University sport in Canada emerged during the early 20th century through a collection of regional intercollegiate associations. These bodies organized competition in sports such as football, hockey, basketball, and track and field, but there was no single national authority responsible for governance, eligibility standards, or national championships. Regional conferences operated independently, and coordination at the national level remained limited until the early 1960s.<ref>[http://english.cis-sic.ca/information/about_cis/cishistory History of CIS] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120130225110/http://english.cis-sic.ca/information/about_cis/cishistory|date=January 30, 2012}}</ref>

With the collapse of the CIAU Central in the mid-1950s, calls for a new, national governing body for university sport accelerated. Once the [[Royal Military College of Canada]] became a degree granting institution, Major W. J. (Danny) McLeod, athletic director at the RMC directed the establishment of the Canadian Intercollegiate Athletic Union (CIAU) in 1961.<ref>[http://english.cis-sic.ca/information/about_cis/cishistory History of CIS] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120130225110/http://english.cis-sic.ca/information/about_cis/cishistory |date=January 30, 2012 }}</ref> 

=== Formation of the CIAU (1961) ===
A national framework for university athletics was established in 1961 with the creation of the Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union (CIAU). The CIAU aimed to unify university sport across the country by providing standardized eligibility rules, coordinating national championships, and offering a consistent administrative structure. Through the 1970s and 1980s, the organization expanded its championship offerings and formally incorporated a growing number of women’s sports, reflecting broader developments in Canadian and international athletics.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 10, 1967 |title=CIAU Standing Firm: No athletic scholarships |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-windsor-star-ciau-1967/183326493/ |newspaper=[[Windsor Star]] |page=29 |agency=[[The Canadian Press]]}}</ref>

From 1965 to 1967, former McMaster University athletic director [[Ivor Wynne]] was the CIAU president.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ivor Wynne|url=https://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/205/301/ic/cdc/cultural_landmarks/ivorbio.htm?nodisclaimer=1|website=Cultural Landmarks of Hamilton-Wentworth|access-date=October 8, 2025|via=[[Library and Archives Canada]]}}</ref> In 1966, he chaired a committee studying whether to allow [[athletic scholarship]]s in the CIAU, for discussion at the 1967 general meeting.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ivor Wynne to Study Athletic Scholarships|agency=[[The Canadian Press]]|date=December 17, 1966|newspaper=[[Toronto Star]]|page=33|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-toronto-star-ciau-1966/183326930/}}</ref> The CIAU decided that scholarships should not be given out solely based on athletic merits, upholding that scholarships were based on academic merits. The CIAU also felt that students who accepted [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] scholarships in the United States, would not have qualified for academic standards at Canadian universities.<ref>{{cite news|title=CIAU Standing Firm: No athletic scholarships|agency=[[The Canadian Press]]|date=June 10, 1967|newspaper=[[Windsor Star]]|page=29|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-windsor-star-ciau-1967/183326493/}}</ref> In 1968, Wynne helped propose a [[Canadian Prairies|Prairie]] Bowl in Western Canada as part of a national playdown for the [[Vanier Cup|CIAU College Bowl]].<ref>{{cite news|title=College Bowl Expands|last=Lovegrove|first=Don|date=March 21, 1968|newspaper=[[The Hamilton Spectator]]|page=25|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator-ciau-1968/183326588/}}</ref>

=== Transition to CIS (2001) ===
In 2001, the CIAU rebranded as Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-10-20 |title=CANADIAN UNIVERSITY SPORT UNVEILS THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA WITH NEW NAME, NEW LOGO, NEW BRAND: U SPORTS |url=https://gogaelsgo.com/news/2016/10/20/general-canadian-university-sport-unveils-the-beginning-of-a-new-era-with-new-name-new-logo-new-brand-u-sports.aspx?utm_source=chatgptcom |access-date=2025-11-23 |website=Queen's University Athletics |language=en}}</ref> The change was intended to modernize its identity and improve visibility. During the CIS era, the governing body emphasized more formalized governance practices, expanded commercial and media partnerships, and increased broadcasting of national events. Flagship championships such as the Vanier Cup benefited from greater national exposure during this period.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CIS becomes U Sports |url=https://www.dal.ca/news/2016/10/24/cis-becomes-u-sports.html |access-date=2025-11-23 |website=Dalhousie News |language=en}}</ref>

=== Rebranding as U Sports (2016–present) ===
In October 2016, CIS rebranded as U Sports, to appeal to a broader audience and simplify branding.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Canadian Interuniversity Sport re-brands as U Sports |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/usports/canadian-interuniversity-sport-re-brands-u-sports/?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-11-23 |language=en}}</ref> Since the rebranding, U Sports has prioritized digital media growth, unified championship branding, and enhanced support for athlete recruitment, academic standards, mental health, and gender equity initiatives.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chen |first=Marcia |date=2016-10-20 |title=Governing body of Canadian university sport rebrands as U Sports |url=https://toronto.citynews.ca/2016/10/20/governing-body-canadian-university-sport-rebrands-u-sports/ |access-date=2025-11-23 |website=CityNews Toronto |language=en}}</ref> The organization today oversees more than twenty national championships across four regional conferences—[[Canada West Universities Athletic Association|Canada West]], [[Ontario University Athletics]] (OUA), the [[Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec]] (RSEQ), and [[Atlantic University Sport]] (AUS)—representing over fifty universities and thousands of student-athletes across Canada.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=CFL ca |date=2016-10-20 |title=CIS announces rebrand; now named U Sports |url=https://www.cfl.ca/2016/10/20/cis-announces-rebrand-now-named-u-sports/ |access-date=2025-11-23 |website=CFL.ca |language=en}}</ref>

== Athletic funding and eligibility ==
The U Sports member institutions offer [[athletic scholarship]]s known as Athletic Financial Awards (AFA); subject to minimum academic requirements. The AFA's are capped and may not exceed the value of the tuition and compulsory fees for the student-athlete. Universities also may provide additional non-athletic awards including academic scholarships and needs-based grants for athletes in addition to this cap, provided the additional awards do not include athletic criteria. In 2008–09 one in two U Sports athletes was receiving an athletic scholarship.<ref>[http://english.cis-sic.ca/information/members_info/pdfs/pdf_research_and_stats/SchoolSummary_-_english_08-09.pdf CIS English] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928163423/http://english.cis-sic.ca/information/members_info/pdfs/pdf_research_and_stats/SchoolSummary_-_english_08-09.pdf|date=September 28, 2012}}. English.cis-sic.ca. Retrieved on July 24, 2013.</ref>

Increasingly, U Sports schools are offering booster-support programs, where alumni, parents and/or corporations can donate money to a targeted fund especially designed to off-set a student-athlete's tuition and living costs. The [[University of Windsor]] has an ''Adopt-A-Lancer'' program,<ref>Lancer Sports News. University of Windsor (website). [http://www.uwindsor.ca/units/pac/view.nsf/main/36E75C6B3D7A5F7A852570C3004B270B?OpenDocument "Lancer Football Introduces Touchdown Club"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060212083635/http://www.uwindsor.ca/units/pac/view.nsf/main/36E75C6B3D7A5F7A852570C3004B270B?OpenDocument|date=February 12, 2006}} accessed April 9, 2007</ref> for example. U Sports has no regulations regarding how much each school can provide to teams through private support. The Université Laval's [[Laval Rouge-et-Or|Rouge et Or]] football team, winner of seven of the last 12 [[Vanier Cup]]s, is so successful with fund raising that the team trains in [[Florida]] during the spring.<ref>[[CBC News]]. Laval's team was profiled during their training camp in Florida. Broadcast before Vanier Cup 2006.</ref>

[[Canadian Hockey League]] teams offer financial support for their graduates – who attend school within two years of playing major junior – who choose to play for a U Sports school after graduating from [[major junior hockey]] based on a model where the league will give scholarships commensurate with the seasons they played in the CHL.  

Beginning with the 2024–25 season, students could receive athletic scholarships regardless of the grades they received in their final year of high school or CEGEP. U Sports institutions also became required to give at least 45% of their athletic scholarship units to both athletes on men's teams and athletes on women's teams.<ref>{{Cite web |title=U Sports drops first-year grade requirements for participation, scholarships |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/more/u-sports-drops-first-year-grade-requirements-for-participation-scholarships/ |access-date=2023-09-29 |website=Sportsnet.ca |language=en}}</ref>

== Sponsored sports ==
U Sports currently awards 21 national championship sports. Sports sanctioned include the following: [[basketball]], [[Cross country running|cross country]], [[curling]], [[fencing]], [[field hockey]] (women), [[Canadian football|football]] (men), [[golf]], [[ice hockey]], [[rugby union]] (women), [[Association football|soccer]], [[Swimming (sport)|swimming]], [[track and field]], [[volleyball]], and [[Collegiate wrestling|wrestling]].<ref>[http://english.cis-sic.ca/landing/index CIS English] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306193958/http://english.cis-sic.ca/landing/index|date=March 6, 2012}}. English.cis-sic.ca (July 15, 2013). Retrieved on July 24, 2013.</ref>

=== Men's team sports ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!No.
!Sport
!Founded
!Teams
!Season
!Most 
Championships
|-
!1
|[[U Sports men's basketball championship|Basketball]]
|[[U Sports men's basketball|1962]]
|48
|Fall
|[[U Sports men's basketball championship|Carleton (17)]]
|-
!2
|[[Curling]]
|2008
|16
|Fall
|[[U Sports curling championships|Wilfrid Laurier (4)]]
|-
!3
|[[Canadian football|Football]]
|[[U Sports football|1961]]
|27
|Winter
|[[Vanier Cup|Laval (12)]]
|-
!4
|[[Ice hockey]]
|[[U Sports men's ice hockey|1961]]
|35
|Winter
|[[U Sports men's ice hockey championship|Alberta (16)]]
|-
!5
|[[Association football|Soccer]]
|[[U Sports men's soccer|1972]]
|48
|Fall
|[[U Sports men's soccer championship|UBC (14)]]
|-
!6
|[[Volleyball]]
|[[U SPORTS Men's Volleyball|1966]]
|31
|Winter
|[[U Sports men's volleyball championship|Manitoba, Winnipeg, Alberta (10)]]
|}

=== Men's individual sports ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!No.
!Sport
!Founded
!Teams
!Season
|-
!1
|[[Cross country running|Cross country]]
|1963
|34
|Fall
|-
!2
|[[Swimming (sport)|Swimming]]
|1965
|INC
|Winter
|-
!3
|[[Track and field|Track & field]]
|1981
|31
|Winter
|-
!4
|[[Amateur wrestling|Wrestling]]
|1969
|15
|Winter
|}

=== Women's team sports ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!No.
!Sport
!Founded
!Teams
!Season
!Most 
Championships
|-
!1
|[[Basketball]]
|[[U Sports women's basketball|1977]]
|48
|Fall
|[[U Sports women's basketball championship|Victoria (9)]]
|-
!2
|[[Curling]]
|2008
|16
|Fall
|[[U Sports curling championships|Alberta (5)]]
|-
!3
|[[Field hockey]]
|1975
|10
|Fall
|UBC (19)
|-
!4
|[[Ice hockey]]
|[[U Sports women's ice hockey|1997]]
|35
|Winter
|[[U Sports women's ice hockey championship|Alberta (8)]]
|-
!5
|[[Rugby union]]
|1998
|26
|Fall
|[[U Sports women's rugby championship|Alberta, St. Francis Xavier (6)]]
|-
!6
|[[Soccer]]
|[[U Sports women's soccer|1987]]
|52
|Fall
|[[U Sports women's soccer championship|UBC (7)]]
|-
!7
|[[Volleyball]]
|[[U Sports women's volleyball|1969]]
|43
|Winter
|[[U Sports women's volleyball championship|UBC (13)]]
|}

=== Women's individual sports ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!No.
!Sport
!Founded
!Teams
!Season
|-
!1
|[[Cross country running|Cross country]]
|1988
|34
|Fall
|-
!2
|[[Swimming (sport)|Swimming]]
|1971
|INC
|Winter
|-
!3
|[[Track and field|Track & field]]
|1981
|31
|Winter
|-
!4
|[[Amateur wrestling|Wrestling]]
|1999
|15
|Winter
|}

== National championships ==
U Sports hosts national championships for the following sports:<ref>[https://usports.ca/hq/championship-calendar U Sports Championship Calendar]</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
U Sports 
!Sport
!Men
!Women
|-
|Basketball
|[[U Sports men's basketball championship|1963–]]
|[[U Sports women's basketball championship|1987–]]
|-
|Cross country
|1963–
|1988–
|-
|Curling
|[[U Sports curling championships|2008–]]
|[[U Sports curling championships|2008–]]
|-
|Field hockey
|style="background:#d3d3d3"|
|1975–
|-
|Football
|[[Vanier Cup|1965–]]
|style="background:#d3d3d3"|
|-
|Ice hockey
|[[U Sports men's ice hockey championship|1963–]]
|[[U Sports women's ice hockey championship|1998–]]
|-
|Rugby union
|style="background:#d3d3d3"|
|[[U Sports women’s rugby championship|1998–]]
|-
|Soccer
|[[U Sports men's soccer championship|1972–]]
|[[U Sports women's soccer championship|1987–]]
|-
|Swimming
|1965–
|1971–
|-
|Track & field
|1981–
|1981–
|-
|Volleyball (indoor)
|[[U Sports men's volleyball championship|1967–]]
|[[U Sports women's volleyball championship|1971–]]
|-
|Wrestling
|1969–
|1999–
|}

== Conferences and members ==
There are 58 member universities in U Sports. These 58 member universities are currently organized into the four following regional associations. In some of these sports, these associations are sometimes referred to as conferences. These conferences also organize regional championships.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Member Universities |date=September 28, 2017 |url=https://usports.ca/hq/member-universities |access-date=June 16, 2023 |publisher=U Sports |archive-date=October 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004165230/http://english.cis-sic.ca/members/canada_west |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=UQAC becomes U Sports' 57th member university |date=June 15, 2023 |url=https://usports.ca/en/news/2023/06/3586044306/uqac-becomes-u-sports-57th-member-university |access-date=June 16, 2023 |publisher=U Sports}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=ÉTS becomes U Sports' 58th member university |date=June 14, 2024 |url=https://en.usports.ca/corporate/Releases/ETSRelease |access-date=June 16, 2023 |publisher=U Sports}}</ref>
*[[Atlantic University Sport]] (AUS)
*[[Canada West Universities Athletic Association]] (CW)
*[[Ontario University Athletics]] (OUA)
*[[Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec]] (RSEQ)

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Institution
!Nickname
!City
!Province
!Founded
!Affiliation
!Enrollment
!Endowment
!Membership
|-
| [[Acadia University]]
| [[Acadia Axemen and Axewomen|Axemen (M), Axewomen (W)]]
| [[Wolfville, Nova Scotia|Wolfville]]
| [[Nova Scotia|NS]]
| 1838
| Private non-denominational<br>formerly Baptist
| 4,650
| $40M
| [[Atlantic University Sport|AUS]]
|-
| [[Cape Breton University]]
| [[CBU Capers|Capers]]
| [[Sydney, Nova Scotia|Sydney]]
| [[Nova Scotia|NS]]
| 2005
| Public
| 3,500
| $6.1M
| [[Atlantic University Sport|AUS]]
|-
| [[Dalhousie University]]
| [[Dalhousie Tigers|Tigers]]
| [[Halifax Regional Municipality|Halifax]]
| [[Nova Scotia|NS]]
| 1818
| Public
| 18,940
| $478M
| [[Atlantic University Sport|AUS]]
|-
| [[Memorial University of Newfoundland]]
| [[Memorial Sea-Hawks|Sea-Hawks]]
| [[St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador|St. John's]]
| [[Newfoundland and Labrador|NL]]
| 1925
| Public
| 18,172
| $93M
| [[Atlantic University Sport|AUS]]
|-
| [[Mount Allison University]]
| [[Mount Allison Mounties|Mounties]]
| [[Sackville, New Brunswick|Sackville]]
| [[New Brunswick|NB]]
| 1839
| Private<br>United Church of Canada
| 2,260
| $141.1M
| [[Atlantic University Sport|AUS]]
|-
| [[Université de Moncton]]
| [[Moncton Aigles Bleu|Aigles Bleus (M), Aigles Bleues (W)]]
| [[Moncton]]
| [[New Brunswick|NB]]
| 1864
| Public organized<br>Roman Catholic
| 4,187
| —
| [[Atlantic University Sport|AUS]]
|-
| [[University of New Brunswick]]
| [[UNB Varsity Reds|Reds]]
| [[Fredericton]]
| [[New Brunswick|NB]]
| 1785
| Public
| 9,000
| —
| [[Atlantic University Sport|AUS]]
|-
| [[University of Prince Edward Island]]
| [[UPEI Panthers|Panthers]]
| [[Charlottetown]]
| [[Prince Edward Island|PEI]]
| 1969
| Public
| 4,000
| —
| [[Atlantic University Sport|AUS]]
|-
| [[Saint Mary's University (Halifax)|Saint Mary's University]]
| [[Saint Mary's Huskies|Huskies]]
| [[Halifax Regional Municipality|Halifax]]
| [[Nova Scotia|NS]]
| 1802
| Private<br>Roman Catholic
| 7,040
| $16.9M
| [[Atlantic University Sport|AUS]]
|-
| [[St. Francis Xavier University]]
| [[St. Francis Xavier athletic teams|X-Men (M), X-Women (W)]]
| [[Antigonish, Nova Scotia|Antigonish]]
| [[Nova Scotia|NS]]
| 1853
| Private<br>Roman Catholic
| 5,150
| $59.4M
| [[Atlantic University Sport|AUS]]
|-
| [[St. Thomas University (New Brunswick)|St. Thomas University]]
| [[St. Thomas (New Brunswick) Tommies|Tommies]]
| [[Fredericton]]
| [[New Brunswick|NB]]
| 1910
| Public
| 2,633
| —
| [[Atlantic University Sport|AUS]]
|-
| [[University of British Columbia]]
| [[UBC Thunderbirds|Thunderbirds]]
| [[University of British Columbia Vancouver|UBC Vancouver]]
| [[British Columbia|BC]]
| 1908
| Public
| 43,579
| $1.16B
| [[Canada West Universities Athletic Association|CW]]
|-
| [[Trinity Western University]]
| [[Trinity Western Spartans|Spartans]]
| [[Langley, British Columbia (district municipality)|Langley]]
| [[British Columbia|BC]]
| 1962
| Private<br>Evangelical Christian
| 2,700
| —
| [[Canada West Universities Athletic Association|CW]]
|-
| [[University of Victoria]]
| [[Victoria Vikes|Vikes]]
| [[Victoria, British Columbia|Victoria]]
| [[British Columbia|BC]]
| 1903
| Public
| 19,500
| $348M
| [[Canada West Universities Athletic Association|CW]]
|-
| [[University of the Fraser Valley]]
| [[Fraser Valley Cascades|Cascades]]
| [[Abbotsford, British Columbia|Abbotsford]]
| [[British Columbia|BC]]
| 1974
| Public
| 21,500
| —
| [[Canada West Universities Athletic Association|CW]]
|-
| [[University of Northern British Columbia]]
| [[UNBC Timberwolves|Timberwolves]]
| [[Prince George, British Columbia|Prince George]]
| [[British Columbia|BC]]
| 1990
| Public
| 4,183
| —
| [[Canada West Universities Athletic Association|CW]]
|-
| [[Thompson Rivers University]]
| [[Thompson Rivers WolfPack|WolfPack]]
| [[Kamloops]]
| [[British Columbia|BC]]
| 1970
| Public
| 13,072
| —
| [[Canada West Universities Athletic Association|CW]]
|-
| [[University of British Columbia Okanagan]]
| [[UBC Okanagan Heat|Heat]]
| [[Kelowna]]
| [[British Columbia|BC]]
| 2005
| Public
| 6,015
| —
| [[Canada West Universities Athletic Association|CW]]
|-
| [[University of Alberta]]
| [[Alberta Golden Bears and Pandas|Golden Bears (M), Pandas (W)]]
| [[Edmonton]]
| [[Alberta|AB]]
| 1908
| Public
| 36,435
| $1.0B
| [[Canada West Universities Athletic Association|CW]]
|-
| [[University of Calgary]]
| [[Calgary Dinos|Dinos]]
| [[Calgary]]
| [[Alberta|AB]]
| 1966
| Public
| 28,196
| $568M
| [[Canada West Universities Athletic Association|CW]]
|-
| [[MacEwan University]]
|[[MacEwan Griffins|Griffins]]
| [[Edmonton]]
| [[Alberta|AB]]
| 1971
| Public
| 13,889
| —
| [[Canada West Universities Athletic Association|CW]]
|-
| [[Mount Royal University]]
| [[Mount Royal Cougars|Cougars]]
| [[Calgary]]
| [[Alberta|AB]]
| 1910
| Public
| 14,175
| —
| [[Canada West Universities Athletic Association|CW]]
|-
| [[University of Saskatchewan]]
| [[Saskatchewan Huskies|Huskies]]
| [[Saskatoon]]
| [[Saskatchewan|SK]]
| 1907
| Public
| 19,082
| $247M
| [[Canada West Universities Athletic Association|CW]]
|-
| [[University of Lethbridge]]
| [[Lethbridge Pronghorns|Pronghorns]]
| [[Lethbridge]]
| [[Alberta|AB]]
| 1967
| Public
| 8,765
| $24.5M
| [[Canada West Universities Athletic Association|CW]]
|-
| [[Brandon University]]
| [[Brandon Bobcats|Bobcats]]
| [[Brandon, Manitoba|Brandon]]
| [[Manitoba|MB]]
| 1890
| Public<br>formerly Baptist
| 3,383
| —
| [[Canada West Universities Athletic Association|CW]]
|-
| [[University of Regina]]
| [[Regina Rams|Rams (football)]], [[Regina Cougars|Cougars]]
| [[Regina, Saskatchewan|Regina]]
| [[Saskatchewan|SK]]
| 1911
| Public<br>formerly Methodist
| 12,800
| $25.9M
| [[Canada West Universities Athletic Association|CW]]
|-
| [[University of Winnipeg]]
| [[Winnipeg Wesmen|Wesmen]]
| [[Winnipeg]]
| [[Manitoba|MB]]
| 1871
| Private<br>Methodist
| 9,219
| —
| [[Canada West Universities Athletic Association|CW]]
|-
| [[University of Manitoba]]
| [[Manitoba Bisons|Bisons]]
| [[Winnipeg]]
| [[Manitoba|MB]]
| 1877
| Semi-public<br>merger of three denominational colleges
| 27,599
| $424M
| [[Canada West Universities Athletic Association|CW]]
|-
| [[Carleton University]]
| [[Carleton Ravens|Ravens]]
| [[Ottawa]]
| [[Ontario|ON]]
| 1942
| Private<br>non-sectarian
| 25,262
| $190M
| [[Ontario University Athletics|OUA]]
|-
| [[University of Ottawa]]
| [[Ottawa Gee-Gees|Gee-Gees]]
| [[Ottawa]]
| [[Ontario|ON]]
| 1848
| Public<br>formerly Roman Catholic
| 35,548
| $201M
| [[Ontario University Athletics|OUA]]
|-
| [[University of Toronto]]
| [[Toronto Varsity Blues|Varsity Blues]]
| [[Toronto]]
| [[Ontario|ON]]
| 1827
| Public
| 56,383<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.utoronto.ca/__shared/assets/UofT_2010_FactsFiguresReport4316.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=September 17, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121202171604/http://www.utoronto.ca/__shared/assets/UofT_2010_FactsFiguresReport4316.pdf |archive-date=December 2, 2012  }}</ref>
| $1.66B
| [[Ontario University Athletics|OUA]]
|-
| [[Toronto Metropolitan University]]
| [[TMU Bold|Bold]]
| [[Toronto]]
| [[Ontario|ON]]
| 1948
| Public
| 24,000
| $118M
| [[Ontario University Athletics|OUA]]
|-
| [[Queen's University at Kingston|Queen's University]]
| [[Queen's Gaels|Golden Gaels]]
| [[Kingston, Ontario|Kingston]]
| [[Ontario|ON]]
| 1841
| Public<br>formerly Presbyterian
| 20,566
| $722M
| [[Ontario University Athletics|OUA]]
|-
| [[York University]]
| [[York Lions|Lions]]
| [[Toronto]]
| [[Ontario|ON]]
| 1959
| Semi-public<br>non-denominational
| 42,400
| $373M
| [[Ontario University Athletics|OUA]]
|-
| [[Laurentian University]]
| [[Laurentian Voyageurs|Voyageurs]]
| [[Greater Sudbury|Sudbury]]
| [[Ontario|ON]]
| 1960
| Private non-denominational<br>formerly Roman Catholic, United Church of Canada and Anglican
| 7,758
| $36M
| [[Ontario University Athletics|OUA]]
|-
| [[Algoma University]]
| [[Algoma University#Student life|Thunderbirds]]
| [[Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario|Sault Ste. Marie]]
| [[Ontario|ON]]
| 1964
| Public<br>formerly non-denominational
| 1,427
| —
| [[Ontario University Athletics|OUA]]
|-
| [[Royal Military College of Canada]]
| [[RMC Paladins|Paladins]]
| [[Kingston, Ontario|Kingston]]
| [[Ontario|ON]]
| 1876
| Federal
| 900<ref>[http://www.canadian-universities.net/Universities/Royal-Military-College-of-Canada.html Profile of Royal Military College of Canada – Ontario, Universities in Canada] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925162750/http://www.canadian-universities.net/Universities/Royal-Military-College-of-Canada.html |date=September 25, 2009 }}. Canadian-universities.net. Retrieved on July 24, 2013.</ref>
| {{efn|group=m|Federal ethics rules prohibit RMC from maintaining an endowment.}}
| [[Ontario University Athletics|OUA]]
|-
| [[Trent University]]
| [[Trent Excalibur|Excalibur]]
| [[Peterborough, Ontario|Peterborough]]
| [[Ontario|ON]]
| 1964
| Public
| 7,160
| $43M
| [[Ontario University Athletics|OUA]]
|-
| [[Nipissing University]]
| [[Nipissing Lakers|Lakers]]
| [[North Bay, Ontario|North Bay]]
| [[Ontario|ON]]
| 1909
| Public<br>formerly non-denominational
| 6,300
| $11M
| [[Ontario University Athletics|OUA]]
|-
| [[Ontario Tech University]]
| [[Ontario Tech Ridgebacks|Ridgebacks]]
| [[Oshawa]]
| [[Ontario|ON]]
| 2003
| Public
| 10,000
| —
| [[Ontario University Athletics|OUA]]
|-
| [[University of Western Ontario]]
| [[Western Mustangs|Mustangs]]
| [[London, Ontario|London]]
| [[Ontario|ON]]
| 1878
| Private<br>Roman Catholic
| 30,000
| $685M
| [[Ontario University Athletics|OUA]]
|-
| [[University of Windsor]]
| [[Windsor Lancers|Lancers]]
| [[Windsor, Ontario|Windsor]]
| [[Ontario|ON]]
| 1857
| Public<br>formerly Roman Catholic
| 13,496
| $70M
| [[Ontario University Athletics|OUA]]
|-
| [[McMaster University]]
| [[McMaster Marauders|Marauders]]
| [[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton]]
| [[Ontario|ON]]
| 1887
| Public<br>formerly Baptist
| 25,688
| $553M
| [[Ontario University Athletics|OUA]]
|-
| [[University of Guelph]]
| [[Guelph Gryphons|Gryphons]]
| [[Guelph]]
| [[Ontario|ON]]
| 1964
| Public
| 19,408
| $264M
| [[Ontario University Athletics|OUA]]
|-
| [[University of Waterloo]]
| [[Waterloo Warriors|Warriors]]
| [[Waterloo, Ontario|Waterloo]]
| [[Ontario|ON]]
| 1957
| Public
| 27,978
| $282M
| [[Ontario University Athletics|OUA]]
|-
| [[Wilfrid Laurier University]]
| [[Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks|Golden Hawks]]
| [[Waterloo, Ontario|Waterloo]]
| [[Ontario|ON]]
| 1911
| Private<br>Lutheran
| 12,394
| —
| [[Ontario University Athletics|OUA]]
|-
| [[Brock University]]
| [[Brock Badgers|Badgers]]
| [[St. Catharines]]
| [[Ontario|ON]]
| 1964
| Public
| 17,000<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.brocku.ca/athletics/quickfacts.php |title=Brock University Athletics - Official Athletics Website |access-date=April 24, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070515035502/http://www.brocku.ca/athletics/quickfacts.php |archive-date=May 15, 2007  }}</ref>
| $74M
| [[Ontario University Athletics|OUA]]
|-
| [[Lakehead University]]
| [[Lakehead Thunderwolves|Thunderwolves]]
| [[Thunder Bay]]
| [[Ontario|ON]]
| 1946
| Public
| 8,050
| $32.1M
| [[Ontario University Athletics|OUA]]
|-
| [[Concordia University (Montreal)|Concordia University]]
| [[Concordia Stingers|Stingers]]
| [[Montreal]]
| [[Quebec|QC]]
| 1896
| Public<br>formerly Roman Catholic and YMCA
| 38,809
| $344.04M
| [[Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec|RSEQ]]
|-
| [[Université Laval]]
| [[Laval Rouge-et-Or|Rouge et Or]]
| [[Quebec City]]
| [[Quebec|QC]]
| 1663
| Private<br>Roman Catholic
| 37,591
| $105.3M
| [[Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec|RSEQ]]
|-
| [[Université du Québec à Montréal]]
| [[UQAM Citadins|Citadins]]
| [[Montreal]]
| [[Quebec|QC]]
| 1969
| Public
| 39,235
| —
| [[Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec|RSEQ]]
|-
| [[McGill University]]
| [[McGill Redbirds and Martlets|Redbirds (M), Martlets (W)]]
| [[Montreal]]
| [[Quebec|QC]]
| 1821
| Public
| 32,514
| $1.32B
| [[Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec|RSEQ]]
|-
| [[Bishop's University]]
| [[Bishop's Gaiters|Gaiters]]
| [[Lennoxville]]
| [[Quebec|QC]]
| 1843
| Private-independent<br>formerly Anglican
| 2,800
| —
| [[Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec|RSEQ]]{{efn|group=m|As of 2017, Bishop's plays football in AUS.}}
|-
| [[École de technologie supérieure]]
| [[ETS Piranhas|Piranhas]]
| [[Montreal]]
| [[Quebec|QC]]
| 1974
| Public
| 11,000
| —
| [[Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec|RSEQ]]
|-
| [[University of Montreal|Université de Montréal]]
| [[Montreal Carabins|Carabins]]
| [[Montreal]]
| [[Quebec|QC]]
| 1878
| Public<br>formerly Roman Catholic
| 55,540
| $276M
| [[Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec|RSEQ]]
|-
| [[Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières]]
| [[UQTR Patriotes|Patriotes]]
| [[Trois-Rivières]]
| [[Quebec|QC]]
| 1969
| Public
| 10,000
| —
| [[Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec|RSEQ]]
|-
| [[Université de Sherbrooke]]
| [[Sherbrooke Vert-et-Or|Vert & Or]]
| [[Sherbrooke]]
| [[Quebec|QC]]
| 1954
| Private<br>Roman Catholic
| 35,000
| —
| [[Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec|RSEQ]]
|-
| [[Université du Québec à Chicoutimi]]
| [[UQAC Inuk|Inuk]]
| [[Chicoutimi]]
| [[Quebec|QC]]
| 1969
| Public
| 6,500
| —
| [[Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec|RSEQ]]
|-
|}

;Notes
{{notelist|group=m}}

== See also ==
{{Portal|Sports|Canada}}
* [[College sports]]
* [[Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association]]
* [[International University Sports Federation]]
* [[List of colleges in Canada]]
* [[List of universities in Canada]]
* [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]]
* [[Universiade]]

== Notes and references ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

* {{citation |last=Knowles |first=Steve |contribution=Canadian University Hockey |year=2000 |pages=69–78
 |title=Total Hockey |publisher=Total Sports Pub. |editor-last=Diamond |editor-first=Dan |edition=Second |isbn=1-892129-85-X }}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}

{{U Sports}}
{{Navboxes
|titlestyle = background:black; color:white; {{box-shadow border|a|#E71523|2px}}
|list = 
{{U Sports championships}}
{{U Sports basketball}}
{{U Sports football}}
{{U Sports men's ice hockey}}
{{U Sports women's ice hockey}}
{{U Sports soccer}}
{{U Sports volleyball}}
{{Atlantic University Sport}}
{{Canada West Universities Athletic Association}}
{{Ontario University Athletics}}
{{Quebec Student Sport Federation}}
}} 

[[Category:U Sports| ]]
[[Category:1961 establishments in Canada]]
[[Category:College and university associations and consortia in Canada]]
[[Category:University sports governing bodies in Canada]]
[[Category:Sports organizations established in 1961]]
[[Category:Student sports governing bodies]]