- Ottawa Gee-Gees
-
Ottawa Gee-Gees 
University University of Ottawa Association Conference Ontario University Athletics, Quebec Student Sports Federation Athletics director Luc Gélineau Location Ottawa, Ontario Varsity teams Football, Basketball, Hockey, Soccer, Volleyball, Rugby, Cross Country, Track, Swimming Football stadium Frank Clair Stadium Arena uOttawa Sports Complex arena Mascot Gee-Gee Nickname Colours Garnet and Grey Website geegees.ca The Ottawa Gee-Gees is an athletic team that represents the University of Ottawa in Ottawa, Ontario in all of its sporting events. The term "Gee-Gee" is taken from horse racing where a Gee-Gee is the first horse out of the starting gate. The name GGs also describes the university colours, garnet and grey. For many years, the team was known as the Garnet and Grey (French: Grenat et Gris); the name Gee-Gees was chosen to appeal to both francophone and anglophone fans of this bilingual university.[1]
The Gee-Gees are best known in Canadian Interuniversity Sport for a perennially strong football team, winning the national championship, the Vanier Cup, in 1975 and 2000 and appearing in the championship game in 1970, 1980, and 1997.[2]
Varsity teams
Ottawa Gee-Gees teams compete in:
- Basketball (m/w)
- Cross Country Running (m/w)
- Ice hockey (m/w)
- Football (m)
- Rugby (w)
- Soccer (w)
- Swimming (m/w)
- Track & Field (m/w)
- Volleyball (w)
- Baseball (m)
- Rowing (m/w)
Gee-Gees football
Ottawa Gee-Gees 
First season 1894 Athletic director Luc Gélineau Head coach Jean Philippe-Asselin 2nd year, 12–4–0 (.750) Other staff Sean Hall (DC)
Chris Coulson (OC)Home stadium Frank Clair Stadium Year built 1908 Stadium capacity 14,542[3] Stadium surface FieldTurf Location Ottawa, Ontario League CIS Conference OUA (2001 - present) Past associations QRFU (1894-1904)
CIRFU (1905-1912)
OIFC (1957-1966)
CCIFC (1967-1970)
OUAA (1971-1973)
OQIFC (1974-2000)All-time record – Postseason record – Vanier Cups 2
1975, 2000Churchill Bowl Championships 2
1975, 2000Atlantic Bowl Championships 2
1970, 1980Yates Cups 4
1907, 1975, 1976, 2006Dunsmore Cups 4
1980, 1995, 1996, 2000Hec Crighton winners 4
Paul Paddon, Rick Zmich, Phil Côté, Brad SinopoliColours Garnet and Grey Outfitter Adidas Rivals Western Ontario Mustangs Website geegees.ca The Ottawa Gee-Gees football team have appeared in five Vanier Cup championships, losing in 1970, 1980 and 1997, and winning the national title in 1975 and 2000. The team practises on campus but play their home games at Frank Clair Stadium at Lansdowne Park where only the north stands are open to the public. The Gee-Gees have also won a total of eight conference championships, including four Yates Cups and four Dunsmore Cups as the team split time between the OUA and OQIFC.[4][5]
In recent years, the team has seen much success, having enjoyed eight consecutive seasons with non-losing records. In that time, the team has had three first place finishes with the last being achieved in 2010. The team has also won one Yates Cup conference championship in that time, in 2006, but lost to the Saskatchewan Huskies in the Mitchell Bowl soon after.
Recent regular season results
Season Games Won Lost OL Pct % PF PA Standing 2000 8 7 1 - 0.875 292 52 2nd in OQIFC 2001 8 6 2 - 0.750 247 168 2nd in OUA 2002 8 5 3 - 0.625 218 152 5th in OUA 2003 8 3 5 1 0.375 216 200 6th in OUA 2004 8 5 3 - 0.625 190 236 4th in OUA 2005 8 6 2 - 0.750 305 137 3rd in OUA 2006 8 7 1 - 0.875 276 97 1st in OUA 2007 8 8 0 - 0.000 312 110 1st in OUA 2008 8 4 4 - 0.500 297 187 5th in OUA 2009 8 6 2 - 0.750 260 169 4th in OUA 2010 8 7 1 - 0.875 291 168 1st in OUA 2011 8 5 3 - 0.625 245 199 4th in OUA Recent playoff results
- 2000 Defeated McGill Redmen in semi-final 50-3
Defeated Laval Rouge et Or in Dunsmore Cup 26-9
Defeated McMaster Marauders in Churchill Bowl 20-15
Defeated Regina Rams in 36th Vanier Cup 42-39 - 2001 Defeated Guelph Gryphons in quarter-final 38-15
Defeated Queen's Golden Gaels in semi-final 47-12
Lost to McMaster Marauders in Yates Cup 30-22 - 2002 Lost to York Yeomen in quarter-final 12-4
- 2003 Lost to Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks in quarter-final 38-17
- 2004 Defeated Guelph Gryphons in quarter-final 33-9
Lost to Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks in semi-final 46-7 - 2005 Defeated Guelph Gryphons in quarter-final 35-21
Lost to Western Ontario Mustangs in semi-final 18-10 - 2006 Defeated Queen's Golden Gaels in semi-final 23-10
Defeated Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks in Yates Cup 32-14
Lost to Saskatchewan Huskies in Mitchell Bowl 35-28 - 2007 Lost to Western Ontario Mustangs in semi-final 23-16
- 2008 Defeated Guelph Gryphons in quarter-final 42-37
Defeated Queen's Golden Gaels in semi-final 23-13
Lost to Western Ontario Mustangs in Yates Cup 31-17 - 2009 Lost to McMaster Marauders in quarter-final 27-15
- 2010 Defeated Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks in semi-final 32-31
Lost to Western Ontario Mustangs in Yates Cup 26-25 - 2011 Lost to Windsor Lancers in quarter-final 50-33
Ottawa Gee-Gees in the CFL
As of opening day of the 2011 CFL season, three former Gee-Gees players are on CFL teams' rosters:
- Delroy Clarke, Edmonton Eskimos
- Mike Cornell, Edmonton Eskimos
- Brad Sinopoli, Calgary Stampeders
1975 Vanier Cup champions
The undefeated 1975 National Championship team (11-0) is considered to be one of the most dominant in Canadian college history. That team became the first to finish with a perfect record after winning a Vanier Cup. Even to this day, the 1975 team still holds several CIS and OUA team and individual records. Players from the 1975 team were selected to the CIS All-Canadian team 13 times during their college careers. During their CIS careers, players from the 1975 team were selected as OUAA an OQIFC All-Stars 42 times.[9]
1975 Gee Gees CIS career awards
- 13 All-Canadian Selections during their CIS careers
- 42 OUAA All-Star Selections during their CIS careers
- 1 Hec Crighton Finalist (CIS Outstanding Player)
- 2 J.P. Metras Trophy Finalists (CIS Outstanding Lineman)
- 1 Frank Tindall Trophy (CIS Coach of the Year)
- 1 Ted Morris Trophy (MVP Vanier Cup)
The 1975 University of Ottawa Gee Gees CFL careers
A total of 21 players from the 1975 Vanier Cup Championship team were selected in the Canadian Football League draft, including nine players in the first round or higher including six CFL Territorial Protections (from 1973 through 1982 each CFL team was allowed to pick and protect 2 players from their region before the 1rst round began). During their careers as professionals, players from the 1975 Vanier Cup Championship team appeared in 23 Grey Cup games and went on to collect a total of 12 Grey Cup Rings.[9] The following is a brief list of the impact that these players have had in the Canadian Football League.
Eric Upton - Guard - 10 Years CFL Edmonton Eskimos-3 time Western All-Star, 6 Grey Cup Appearances, 5 time Grey Cup Champion
Rocky DiPietro- Slotback - 14 Years CFL Hamilton Tiger-Cats, CFL All-Time Pass Reception Leader, CFL Hall of Fame Inductee, 2 time CFL Outstanding Canadian, 3 time Lew Hayman Trophy Outstanding Canadian Eastern Division, 5 time Eastern All-Star, 4 Grey Cup Appearances, 1986 Grey Cup Champion
Neil Lumsden - Fullback/Kicker - 10 Years CFL Toronto Argonauts/Hamilton Tiger-Cats/Edmonton Eskimos, Winner 1976 Frank M Gibson Trophy CFL Outstanding Rookie Eastern Division, 2 Time Eastern Division All-Star, 1981 Grey Cup Canadian MVP, 3 time Grey Cup Champion
Miles Gorrell - Offensive Tackle - 19 Years CFL Calgary Stampeders/Hamilton Tiger-Cats/Montreal Alouettes/Winnipeg Blue Bombers, 5 time Eastern Division All-Star, 2 time Winner Leo Dandurand Trophy CFL Outstanding Lineman Eastern Division, 5 Grey Cup Appearances, 1 time Grey Cup Champion
Jeff Avery - Wide Receiver- 6 Years CFL Ottawa Rough Riders, 1 time Eastern Division All-Star, 2 Grey Cup Appearances, 1976 Grey Cup Champion
Al Moffat - Defensive Tackle - 6 Years CFL Hamilton Tiger-Cats, 1 time Eastern Division All-Star, 1 Grey Cup Appearance
Mike Murphy - Fullback - 4 Years CFL, Winner 1977 Frank M. Gibson Trophy CFL Outstanding Rookie Eastern Division
Doug Falconer - Defensive Back - 4 Years CFL Ottawa Rough Riders/Calgary Stampeders, 1976 Grey Cup Champion
Tim Berryman - Linebacker - 7 Years CFL Edmonton Eskimos/Ottawa Rough Riders, 1 Grey Cup Appearance
Bill Harrison - Halfback - 5 Years CFL Hamilton Tiger-Cats/Toronto Argonauts
Ian Mac Pherson - Defensive Tackle - 3 Years CFL Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Men's Basketball Program
The Gee-Gees men's basketball team has been ranked in the CIS Top Ten for most of the 2005-2006 season, sitting 2nd as of January 24, 2006. On January 18, 2006, the Gee Gees recorded their first win against the Carleton Ravens, their cross-town rivals. Previous to their 62-61 win, the Gee Gees had lost 18 straight games against the Ravens, dating back to 1999. The win also broke the Ravens 56-game winning streak at home. The Gee-Gees finished 6th at the 2005 CIS National Basketball Tournament in Halifax.
Men's Basketball: 2010 - 2011 New Coach, Fresh Start
In July 2010, the University of Ottawa appointed James Derouin, a former alumni and player, as their new head coach after the departure of Coach Dave DeAveiro who left for McGill University. Derouin was formerly an assistant coach for the UBC Thunderbirds for the past two years and was captain of the Gee-Gees Men’s Basketball Team for both the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons. In his final year, he also played under former Gee-Gees head coach Dave DeAveiro. Derouin called this “[...] a dream come true, really. I’ve been working towards this for a long time. It’s amazing.”
Derouin, a native of Ottawa, "[looks forward] to building on the current success of the Gee-Gees program, added Derouin. With the loss of two strong players [Josh Gibson-Bascombe and Donnie Gibson], we will look to fill those holes as much as possible and continue to strive for excellence.”
Strong Recruitment:
The positive momentum from this past season continued this off-season with a very successful recruitment season. The Gee-Gees will be welcoming CEGEP’s Charles Rémillard, CEGEP All-Star guard Serge Grenon, Sacred Heart Huskies MVP and Eastern Commerce Tournament All-Star, Vikas Gills, Loyola Hawk’s Star-Point Guard Mike L’Africain, and NCAA Division 1 University of Arkansas Transfer, Shamus Ferguson.
Mike L’Africain was ranked as one of Canada’s top point-guards who has won numerous Halton District Championships, OFSAA 4A Silver medalist, All-Star nods, and Tournament MVP Awards.
Men's Basketball: 2010 - 2011 Regular Season & Playoff Summary
The Gee-Gees had a strong finish to the regular season that led themto qualify for the OUA Wilson Cup playoffs. It began with the Gee-Gees defeating Laurentian University in the OUA Quarter-Finals followed by a solid win over second-seed University of Toronto to qualify for the nationally televised (The Score) Wilson Cup Final Four in Hamilton. The playoff run unfortunately ended as the team was just two points short verses Lakehead to qualify for the CIS Nationals in Halifax.
Graduating Gee-Gees, Louis Gauthier had one of his most solid seasons in his five year career while Nemanja Baletic ended his CIS Career with yet another solid season while winning the CIS Kevin Shields Award and University of Ottawa President’s Award for outstanding commitment and achievement in the classroom, community, and athletics.
Men's Basketball: 2011 - 2012 Exhibition and Season
The Gee-Gees kicked off their pre-season with their first exhibition game against NCAA La Salle Explorers with a 73-61 defeat. This game saw the debut of 4 of 5 recruits - Michael L’African, Serge Grenon, Vikas Gill, and Charles Rémillard.
New recruits had a great debut with Vikas Gill going 6 for 10 from the three-point line to finish the night with 20 points and Michael L’African leading the team in assist with 4. Second year forward, Gabriel Gonthier-Dubee, also had strong game finishing with 16 points.
The Gee-Gees were without the services of University of Arkansas (Pine Bluff) Transfer, Shamus Ferguson and All-Star Warren Ward who is with Team Canada for the FISU Universiade 2011 in Shen Zhen, China.
The Gee-Gees will welcome NCAA University of Albany, University of St.Louis, and UC Santa Barbara to wrap up their United States exhibition games.
The CIS regular season begins November 11, 2011 for the Gee-Gees who will play at Brock University.
Men's Basketball: Player Development (2010 - 2011) and Alumni
This past season, the Gee-Gees basketball program saw tremendous growth and development from a couple of our players. Rookie Johnny Berhanemeskel came second overall in voting for OUA Rookie of the Year and also earned himself a spot on the OUA East All-Rookie team. Johnny already had two Gee-Gee records under his belt by February as he became the all-time Gee-Gee rookie leader in points and most three-points in a season. Since then, he has been on pace to becoming the all-time rookie leader in highest scoring average by a rookie and highest free-throw percentage by a rookie.
Warren Ward’s solid regular (16.80 ppg) and playoff performance (24.5 ppg) earned him an OUA East All-Star nod and basketball MVP Award at this year’s Gee-Gee Athletic Banquet. In addition, he has been selected to represent Canada in Shen Zhen, China this August for the 2011 FISU Games. Ward is the third Gee-Gee to represent Canada along with Joshua Gibson-Bascombe and Dax Dessureault.
Notable Alumni
Ali Mahmoud - St. Patrick’s High School (Ottawa) - University of Ottawa Gee-Gees (2002, 2003) - Lebanon National Basketball Program - Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut (2004 – Present) - 2006, 2010 FIBA World Championships
Alex McLeod - University of Ottawa Gee-Gees (2002 – 2006) - Gee-Gees All-Time 3 Point Scorer (OUA Games) - Over 1,207 career points - OUA East Rookie Team (2002) - OUA East All-Star (2004, 2005, 2006) - Certified Canadian Lawyer
Joshua Gibson-Bascombe - University of Ottawa Gee-Gees (2005 – 2010) - OUA East Rookie of the Year (2005-2006) - OUA East All-Star (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009) - All-Time Leading Scorer with 1571 points - NH Ostrava of the Czech Republic - Team Canada Men’s Development Team - FISU (2007 Thailand, 2009 Serbia)
Gee-Gees soccer
The Gee-Gees women's soccer team program was founded in 1994 by current head coach, Steven Johnson. The team went on to become national champions in 1996, in just their third season of play, after which Johnson was recognized as CIS coach of the year (an honour he would again receive in 2005). The team has also won CIS silver medals in 2005, 2003, 2000, 1997 and CIS bronze medals in 2001, and 2006.[10]
Gee Gees hockey
The men's hockey program was formed in 1889. The team played in the Ottawa City Hockey League. The team was first known as "Garnet and Grey", as well as the other varsity athletic programs within the University of Ottawa. In the 1940s, all the varsity athletic programs became known as the "Gee Gees", which was nicknamed by the media. The Gee Gees had tremendous success in the 1980s. Despite, that the Gee Gees have yet to win the University Cup - CIS championship for men's hockey. Ottawa's most memorable run took place in 2004, as the Gee Gees ousted rivals Universite de Quebec a Trois-Rivieres (otherwise known as UQTR Patriotes) 2-1 in the OUA playoffs, and then advanced to the Queen's Cup, hosted by the University of Western Ontario. The Gee Gees lost the OUA final to York, but they still earned a spot in the University Cup, held in Fredericton, New Brunswick, where power-house UNB (University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds) played host to the tournament. However, the Gee Gees failed to record a win and went home 0-2. Notably, it was the first time since 1985 that the Gee Gees played in the University Cup.
The Gee Gees are well known for its successful coaches like Mickey Goulet, who is currently head coach of the Italian National Men's Hockey Team, which participated in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy. Coaches like Michel Boucher, Tony Zappia, and current head coach Dave Leger, who has been at the helm since 2003.
The Gee Gees played in several rinks before the current UOttawa Sports Complex, which was built on the site of the Minto Arena, the former Minto Skating Club facility, which was demolished in 2000. Ottawa has held games at the Sandy Hill Arena and the Robert Guertin Arena in Hull. The first rink, was known as "College Yard", which was an outdoor rink in front of Tabaret Hall. The second venue for the Gee Gees was the indoor Rideau Skating Rink, which was flooded during winter for the ice surface. The site on the corner of Waller Street and Laurier Avenue is now the Arts building at the University of Ottawa.[11]
References
- ^ http://www.geegees.ca/node/197 Origin of Gee-Gees name
- ^ http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/fball/2010-11/files/vanier_cup_history
- ^ http://www.geegees.ca/node/634%26sid=17 Stadiums
- ^ http://oua.ca/sports/football/champions/
- ^ http://www.cisfootball.org/history/oq80-present.html
- ^ http://oua.ca/sports/football/standings/ OUA Standings
- ^ http://www.sportetudiant-stats.com/universitaire/football/classements-1.php Quebec Standings
- ^ http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Recreation/CIAU/football2001.html
- ^ a b http://www.75geegees.com/3/miscellaneous3.htm 1975 Ottawa Gee-Gees
- ^ http://www.geegees.ca/sites/default/files/assets/MediaGuideWS_2010.pdf
- ^ http://www.geegees.ca/sites/default/files/assets/media_guide_2010-11.pdf
External links
- The University of Ottawa
- The GeeGees Athletics Website
- GeeGee Football Website
- Canadian Football League
- 1975 Ottawa Gee-Gees
Categories:- Canadian Interuniversity Sport teams
- Canadian Interuniversity Sport football teams
- University of Ottawa
- Sports teams in Ottawa
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
