Ali Baggott, Vikes Athletics
VICTORIA – The University of Victoria and University of British Columbia came together, Aug. 28, in Victoria to announce the launch of the Legends Cup Series, which will highlight the already long-standing rivalry between Vikes and Thunderbirds varsity athletics teams. The Legends Cup is the name of the new trophy that will be awarded to either university based on a season long series of competitions between varsity teams.
Clint Hamilton, Director of Vikes Athletics and Recreation, and Gilles Lepine, Senior Athletic Director of the UBC Thunderbirds, led the event with remarks from Kevin Hanson, UBC men’s basketball head coach, Tracy David, Vikes women’s soccer head coach, as well as alumni Laura Dowling, of UBC women’s field hockey, and Mark Wyatt, of Vikes men’s rugby.
“The energy here today was great and it was great to see alumni and alumni legends here,” said Hamilton about the launch event hosted at the Swans Hotel and Brew Pub. “That’s really the spirit behind the concept. It was wonderful to work with UBC and as Gilles pointed out we should compete with all we have in the events but at the end of the day we can work together within a spirit of collegiality to create something.”
Historically UBC and UVic have enjoyed a long tradition of healthy competition dating back to the early portion of the last century. Beginning this season, to reignite the rivalry, for each head-to-head event a team will be awarded one point for a tie and two points for a win, with the running total being updated after each meeting.
Varsity teams from six sports will be involved in the inaugural Legends Cup Series including Basketball, Rugby 15s, Field Hockey, Soccer, Cross Country and Rowing. The winning school will enjoy the satisfaction of being Legends Cup champions for the year and be presented with the Legends Cup trophy at their annual awards banquet by the Athletic Director of the loosing school.
“We look forward to the inaugural season of competition for the Legends Cup which should add even more pride and celebration to an already long-standing rivalry between UBC and UVic varsity athletics,” said UBC’s Lepine. “There is such a rich history of varsity athletic success enjoyed by both Universities and the opportunity to win the Legends cup will only heighten the competition while also enhancing the atmosphere around regular season games between the T-Birds and Vikes.”
It should prove to be an excellent 2018-19 season as a little more fun and fuel is inserted into the UBC, UVic varsity athletics rivalry with the institutions competing for the inaugural Legends Cup. The first event of the series is the UBC vs UVic women’s soccer game this Saturday, Sept. 1 at 2 p.m. PT in Victoria.
“To me you compete hard and Once the games are over we should have strong relationships with our colleagues at UBC and that’s really the spirit behind how the Legends Cup rivalry series was created,” added Hamilton. “Hopefully the alumni we see here will be inspired to step up their game to support their campuses when games are on and in the same way we hope it inspires a new level of varsity support as the games unfold on an annual basis.”
A full schedule of Legends Cup events and ticket information can be found here.