Canadian University Teams Trivia Quiz

Bisons!

The University of Manitoba was founded in 1877 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, just four years after the city, itself, was incorporated. The Bisons athletics program began with the establishment of a football team in 1920, followed by a hockey team in 1922.

The Bison is a symbol with great significance in Manitoba, given the history of the vast herds that used to roam the prairies. Even the flag of Manitoba features a bison, making it a wholly appropriate choice for the U of M's team identity. And, as a U of M graduate (Class of 2001), I feel the need to add, "Go Bisons!"

​Dinos!

The University of Calgary was established in 1966 in Calgary, Alberta, after separating from the University of Alberta to become a fully independent, degree-granting institution. ​The Dinos athletics program, which began soon after the university's establishment, quickly rose to prominence, achieving its first significant success with a national championship in the 1970s.

​The Dinosaur (Dinos) was chosen as the mascot to celebrate Alberta's position as a global centre for paleontology, especially the discovery of dinosaur fossils in the Badlands of Drumheller. The name also evokes a sense of strength, age, and immensity, perfectly fitting the image of a major university sports power.

Huskies!

​The University of Saskatchewan was established in 1907 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and began offering classes in 1909. The university quickly became the province's key institution for higher education. ​The Huskies athletics program has roots dating back to the university's earliest years, with the first men's hockey team taking the ice in 1909 and men's football starting in 1912. Over the decades, the program has become one of the most successful and decorated in Canadian university sports.

​The Husky was chosen as the nickname in the 1930s and represents the characteristics of the working dog: hard work, intelligence, resilience, and intense vigour. The mascot, Howler the Huskie, is an enduring symbol of the school's spirit and determination.

Panthers!

​The University of Prince Edward Island was founded in 1969 in Charlottetown, PEI, through the amalgamation of two historic institutions: St. Dunstan's University and Prince of Wales College. The athletic identity was established upon this merger, inheriting the sporting traditions of its predecessors. The Panthers athletics program is known for its competitive culture, particularly in basketball and hockey, and for producing high-calibre East Coast athletes.

​The Panther was chosen as the nickname and mascot to symbolize pride, strength, agility, and grace. It is a key part of the university's identity, with its image featuring as a supporter on the UPEI Coat of Arms, standing upon the distinctive red soil of the province.

Ravens!

​Carleton University was founded in 1942 in Ottawa, Ontario, initially as Carleton College, primarily to serve soldiers returning from World War II. It gained university status in 1957. ​The Ravens athletics program began with the formation of a football team in 1945. Over the decades, Carleton has built one of the most distinguished athletic histories in Canadian university sport, though its renown is heavily concentrated in one sport.

​The Raven was adopted as the school's nickname in 1948. Students or newspaper reporters, noting the football players in their black uniforms, felt they resembled ravens, leading the name to be quickly and informally adopted by all teams. It symbolizes intelligence, resourcefulness, cunning, and a strong communal bond (the flock).

Redbirds!

​McGill University, established in 1821 in Montreal, Quebec, is one of Canada's oldest and most prestigious institutions. Its athletic program reflects this deep heritage, boasting claims to the oldest university football team in North America and the oldest organized hockey club in the world (founded 1877). ​The men's varsity teams were originally called the Redmen, but over time, this became problematic for a number of reasons. Since 2020, they have been the Redbirds, while the women's teams have been known as the Martlets since 1976.

​The Redbirds name, adopted in 2020, carries historical links to the university, including the Red Birds Ski Club (founded 1928) and the red colour that has defined McGill Athletics since the 1800s. It maintains the bird theme consistent with the women's teams, the Martlets (a heraldic bird featured on the McGill coat of arms).

Reds!

​The University of New Brunswick, with main campuses in Fredericton and Saint John, is the oldest English-language university in Canada, founded in 1785. Its athletics program boasts a long and successful history. ​The Red colour and nickname have been the constants in UNB's athletic identity since the early 20th century, symbolizing power, passion, and the university's enduring spirit.

​The unified name of UNB Reds was the culmination of a decades-long effort to standardize a confusing array of team nicknames, all of which featured the school's primary colour. Some previous teams included:

Red Bombers (football)
Red Devils (men' hockey)
Red Shirts (men's soccer)
Red Raiders (men's basketball)
Red Bloomers (women's basketball)

In 1993, the varied team names were consolidated as 'Varsity Reds,' until finally just becoming 'Reds' in 2018.

Sea-Hawks!

​Memorial University of Newfoundland was founded in 1925 in St. John's, Newfoundland, as a memorial to the province's fallen soldiers in World War I (and later rededicated to include WWII dead). It achieved full university status in 1949. The university's motto is Provehito in Altum ("Launch forth into the deep"), reflecting the province's deep marine heritage. ​The proud Sea-Hawks athletics program has faced unique challenges due to its geographic isolation, necessitating heavy travel to compete against mainland opponents, yet has developed a proud tradition of athletic resilience.

​In the early 1960s, Memorial teams adopted the name 'Beothuks,' after the Indigenous people of Newfoundland who were tragically wiped out. By the late 1980s, the name was increasingly deemed inappropriate and offensive by many, as it used the name of an extinct people for a sports team. In 1990, the university officially rebranded its teams as the Sea-Hawks. The new logo is fashioned after the osprey, eagle, and other birds of prey common to Newfoundland and Labrador, symbolizing vigour, sight, and flight.

Thunderbirds!

The University of British Columbia was established in 1908 and first opened its doors in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1915. The UBC Thunderbirds are Canada's most successful university athletic program, boasting over 100 national titles across U Sports and other associations (such as the NAIA), and producing over 200 Olympians. ​

The Thunderbird name was chosen in the mid-1930s, but its official use is tied to a unique and profound connection with the region's Indigenous communities. The Thunderbird, a powerful mythical creature in Pacific Northwest Indigenous cultures, symbolizes supernatural power, strength, and guardianship. Prior to 1934, UBC teams were known simply as 'Varsity' or the 'Blue and Gold.'

Tigers!

Dalhousie University was founded in 1818 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, making it one of the oldest universities in Canada. It is the largest university in the Maritime provinces and a cornerstone of the AUS conference.

​The Tigers athletics program began with the first organized football team in 1878. Dalhousie is the most successful athletic program in the AUS conference, holding the highest number of conference championships in the history of Atlantic University Sport. ​The Tiger was adopted as the school mascot in 1954, replacing an earlier use of the name 'Dalhousie Blue.' The tiger was chosen to symbolize courage, speed, strength, and cunning, reflecting the competitive intensity of its teams. The official colours are black and gold, which visually support the tiger theme.