2011 CIS Men's Soccer Championship kicks off in six months

Photo credit Armando Tura

VICTORIA – In just six months, the championship final of the 2011 Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) men's soccer nationals will be played at Centennial Stadium at the University of Victoria, one of the first championships on the national university sport calendar as CIS celebrates its 50th year of competition.

Eight teams from across the country will compete in the 42nd edition of the men's soccer national championships at the CIS level. UVic will also host the 2012 CIS women's soccer nationals in its 26th year of competition in November.

Vikes director of athletics and recreation Clint Hamilton said preparations are well underway for hosting the tournament which will aim to engage the passionate, local soccer community.

"Hosting national championships is an important priority for Vikes Athletics and Recreation, and we are pleased to be hosting the CIS men's and women's championships over the next two years," Hamilton said. "Hosting these events will provide the opportunity to showcase the high quality of Canadian university soccer to the Greater Victoria audience and allow our Vikes to compete for a national championship on home soil."

The event runs from Thursday Nov. 10 until Sunday Nov. 13, 2011 at the University of Victoria's Centennial Stadium and adjoining fields. Teams from Atlantic University Sport (AUS), Quebec (RSEQ), Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and Canada West conferences will compete in the four day event which will feature 11 games including the championship final on Sunday Nov. 13 at Centennial Stadium.

On Wednesday Nov. 9, the event will kick off with the CIS men's soccer awards banquet which will honour the player, rookie and coach of the year along with CIS All-Canadian teams and student-athlete community service award winner.

UVic hosted the event twice previously - in 1999 and 1975. Toronto hosted the 2010 CIS men's soccer national championship at Varsity Stadium with the York Lions defeating the UBC Thunderbirds 1-0 in the gold-medal match to win the Sam Davidson Memorial Trophy. Davidson was a past president of the Canadian Soccer Association and the award was presented to the CIS by the CSA in 1972. The first CIS men's soccer championship was hosted in 1970.

The Vikes, seeking their fifth national title in men's soccer, last won the CIS championship in 2004 in Montreal. They also won in 1996 in Toronto, 1987 in Montreal and 1975 in Victoria. UVic is tied with Alberta for the second most CIS titles in men's soccer with four, while UBC leads the way with 11.

Ticket Information

Fans can get early access to seats for the 2011 CIS men's soccer championship in November by purchasing a platinum season pass for Vikes soccer. The 2011 season passes for the Vikes start at a base price of $65 and will go on sale on Aug. 1. Fans can also upgrade and purchase a platinum season pass for only $100 to gain access to the national championships November, along with other incentives. To secure your seats and for additional information about Vikes season passes, schedules and other information, please call 250.472.4772 or visit govikesgo.com. Other ticket information will be available later in the summer.

Source:

Victoria Sports Info