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Ridgebacks basketball set to debut for 2019-20 OUA season Photo by UOIT Ridgebacks

OSHAWA, Ont. - OUA basketball is coming to UOIT.

The University of Ontario Institute of Technology's (UOIT) bid to enter men's and women's basketball was approved unanimously by Ontario University Athletics (OUA) at the annual general meeting in Niagara Falls.

"We are thrilled to add basketball to our roster of varsity sports at UOIT," said Scott Barker, Athletic Director. "There has been a demand from the student body to add this sport since we started up over a decade ago and I am excited that we are now ready launch the program. It's an exciting time to be on campus as we continue to grow. This is going to further spark the Ridgeback spirit of the student body and the sporting community across the Durham Region."

The men's and women's programs will tip-off in the fall of 2019 at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre.

"It is great to see the UOIT Ridgebacks take this next step, providing even more opportunities for OUA student-athletes to represent their school and their conference," said Gord Grace, Chief Executive Officer of OUA. "Not only does UOIT's entrance into men's and women's basketball help accomplish this, but it also shows the continued positive growth of the Ridgebacks' program. We look forward to seeing these teams take to the court in the 2019-20 season."

UOIT will be the 18th member in both the men's and women's leagues.

"The UOIT Student Union is very excited that UOIT is making a new addition to its varsity athletics programs," said UOITSU president Jessica Nguyen. "The students are excited that varsity basketball is coming to our campus. It is one of the marque sports across the OUA and our student body is ready to show off our Ridgeback Pride in 2019."

The extensive search to find the head coaches will begin in order to start the process of building a team for the much-anticipated tip-off in the fall of 2019.

Basketball is the first sport to be introduced at UOIT since men's and women's badminton, which made its debut in 2016.

UOIT's athletic department is now home to 16 varsity sports teams.

Source: UOIT Ridgebacks