Spitfires and Lancers announce inaugural OHL / OUA scholastic showcase

WINDSOR, Ont. - The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and Ontario University Athletics (OUA), along with the Windsor Spitfires and University of Windsor Lancers are pleased to announce they'll be hosting the inaugural OHL/OUA Scholastic Showcase on Sunday January 24th at the WFCU Centre in Windsor, ON.

The Scholastic Showcase, presented by the Investor Group, is an event designed to promote the ongoing partnership in education between the Lancers and Spitfires as well as the academic scholarship program in place between the OHL and OUA.

On Sunday, January 24th, the OHL will kick-off back-to-back games at the WFCU Centre with a match-up between the Windsor Spitfires and the Niagara Ice Dogs at 2pm. The OUA will follow as the University of Windsor Lancers are set to host the York Lions at 4:30pm.

The Scholastic Showcase is the first ever event of its kind and something both the OUA and OHL are excited to be hosting.

"We are very pleased to be able to announce the first ever OHL/OUA Scholastic Showcase set to take place in Windsor later this month," commented OHL Commissioner David Branch. "This year alone, the Ontario Hockey League and its teams will provide our highest number of academic scholarships ever. We believe our OHL Scholarship Program allows our players to achieve the best of both worlds when it comes to hockey and academic goals and this event will certainly help to showcase that fact." 

Following graduation from the OHL, many players are now moving on to continue their education and hockey careers at universities across the province. OHL grads are eligible for academic scholarships through their junior teams if they choose to continue their education in post secondary institutions.

This year alone, 355 current and past OHL players were awarded academic scholarships throughout Canada for the 2009-10 season. This figure represents the highest number of players that have ever received OHL academic scholarships in a single year.

"Ontario University Athletics has a shared interest with the Ontario Hockey League in helping prepare their student-athletes for life after their junior playing careers," commented OUA Executive Director Ward Dilse. "We hope that the inaugural OHL-OUA Scholastic Showcase is the first of many opportunities for hockey fans to celebrate the accomplishments of exceptional student-athletes in both leagues."

Currently, the University of Windsor has 10 former OHL athletes on their roster who are receiving over $80,000 in OHL scholarships this season.

In addition to OHL scholarships, each university in Ontario has the ability to offer athletic scholarships to augment these awards. At the University of Windsor, the Lancers also provide their top student-athletes with Blue and Gold athletic scholarships as part of the university's scholarship program.

For the University of Windsor, this event is another opportunity to showcase their unique partnership in education with the Windsor Spitfires.

"We are excited to co-host along with the Windsor Spitfires the first ever Scholastic Showcase," commented University of Windsor Athletic Director Gord Grace. "Our partnership in education with the Spitfires was one of the first of its kind in the league and we believe this event is another opportunity to promote how our two organizations are working together to promote education in the community."

Currently, the Lancers have two former Spitfires on their roster, including team captain Scott Todd along with Jonathan Sciacca.

For the Spitfires, the defending MasterCard Memorial Cup Champions, their emphasis on education has also proven to be a vital part of their success over the past three seasons.

"The Windsor Spitfires are pleased to be partnering with the University of Windsor on the upcoming Scholastic Showcase on January 24," added Spitfire governor, Lancer Hockey alumnus and U of W business grad Peter Dobrich. "Our organization's emphasis on education over the past few years has been a critical component to our success and we will continue to work hard to ensure our players have the opportunity to continue their post-secondary education upon graduation from the OHL."

The Scholastic Showcase will take place on Sunday, January 24th as the Windsor Spitfires host the Niagara Ice Dogs at 2pm followed by the University of Windsor Lancers against the York Lions at 4:30pm.

Fans that stay for both games will have the chance to win over $3,000 in cash prizes that day as part of the showcase.

For Windsor Spitfire tickets, fans must contact the TekSavvy.com Box Office at the WFCU Centre by phone at (519) 254-5000 or purchase tickets online at windsorspitfires.com.  Admission to the Lancer Hockey game at 4:30pm is free of charge and fans will be admitted into the WFCU Centre's main bowl starting at 4:15pm for the second game.

For more information, fans can visit one of the following websites at:, www.windsorspitfires.com, www.goLancers.ca, www.ontariohockeyleague.com, or www.oua.ca. 

- OUA -