OTTAWA (June 18, 2009) – Queen's University has been awarded the 2012 Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Men's Volleyball Championship. The announcement was made today in Ottawa by the CIS.
The event marks the first-time Queen's will host a major indoor CIS championship. In November, Queen's hosts the CIS Cross Country Championship and previously the Gaels have also hosted the 1999 CIS Cross Country Championship and 1991 CIS Men's Soccer Championship. In April 2010, Queen's will host the 2010 FISU World University Cross Country Championship.
Queen's was among five finalists vying for the available years of the championship. Laval was chosen as the host of the 2013 championship. Other finalists for the event were Sherbrooke, Calgary, Waterloo, Laval and Saskatchewan.
“We are thrilled by the CIS's decision to have Queen's host the 2012 men's volleyball championship,” said
Leslie Dal Cin, Queen's University Director of Athletics and Recreation. “This will be a tremendous opportunity for us to showcase our campus and our communities' interest for high level sporting events.”
“We are looking forward to demonstrating the passion and commitment that our incredible volunteers, fans and alumni have for our teams while introducing one of Canada's premier athletics and recreation venues,” continued Dal Cin. “Hosting national championships are a priority for Queen's and an important part of our vision to become the leading athletics and recreation program in Canada.”
This fall Queen's will unveil the new state-of-the-art Queen's Centre complex which is a 47,000 square meter multi-purpose athletic complex in the heart of campus. The facility includes a 2,000-seat spectator gym, five floors of fitness space, a 38 x 25-metre pool, four dance studios, two combative rooms, squash and racquetball courts along with other multi-purpose workout areas.
Additionally, the main spectator gym features bleacher seating in a horseshoe format with unobstructed views from all vantage points. It offers acoustic and television capability for major events with two fully functioning press boxes.
“The entire Eastern Ontario region has a strong core of avid volleyball followers,” said Dal Cin. “Our new venue combined with additional areas of athlete support and general excitement about volleyball in Kingston will make this a memorable event for participants and fans alike.”
Queen's men's volleyball head coach
Brenda Willis echoed Dal Cin's comments.
“With the success of our men's volleyball program and the youth and ability of our current roster, this is a perfect fit,” said Willis. “We are looking forward to showcasing our team and new facilities while challenging for a national title in 2012.
The Gaels have captured four OUA championships since the 2000 season including back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007. Queen's also has played in the OUA final the last four seasons. In 2006 the Gaels finished fifth – a school high – at the CIS Men's Volleyball Championship
Next year Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, B.C., will host the 2010 CIS Men's Volleyball Championship. The 2011 championship is slated for Trinity Western University in Langley, B.C.
Queen's will host the 2012 championship tentatively scheduled from March 2-4, 2012.
