(Photo courtesy/Huskies Athletics)

By Ben Tompkins

Rejuvenated Rivalry

Huskies, U of R to commence inaugural U-Prairie Cup Challenge

Jul 15, 2022 | 5:50 PM

The University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina will have something extra to play for in the upcoming 2022/23 season, as they go head-to-head in the inaugural U-Prairie Cup Challenge.

The annual, season-long competition will feature 11 women’s and men’s sports and will be points-based to determine the winner.

In all, 18 games in five team sports will be played between the two provincial rivals in the 2022/23 Canada West conference season, featuring football, hockey, soccer, basketball and volleyball. In addition, the Canada West track & field, as well as cross country results, will be taken into account for both the men’s and women’s teams.

Becoming an ongoing celebration of university sports in Saskatchewan, the U-Prairie Challenge hopes to reflect a shared vision between the two universities to generate greater support for their student-athletes and varsity sports overall.

“It’s been a really interesting experience because there’s been a lot of collaborations with different leaders from both universities,” said Chief Athletics officer Shannon Chinn in an interview done with HuskieFAN.

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“It’s been really fun to work together, creating something that’s good for the student-athletes and the province, and will just help highlight youth sports in general.”

The official kickoff event takes place on Saturday, Sept.17 at 7 p.m., when the Rams host the Huskies at Mosaic Stadium in Regina as part of the recently announced Football Weekend in Saskatchewan.

Football fans will have the opportunity to take in multiple games that weekend. Friday, Sept. 16 the Saskatchewan Roughriders face off against the Edmonton Elks, with the Saskatoon Hilltops visiting the Regina Thunder Saturday afternoon and the Huskies later take on the Rams.

The challenge will officially begin with a women’s soccer match in Saskatoon on Sept. 2 and will conclude with the Huskies and Cougars facing off in the women’s hockey regular-season finale at Merlis Belsher Place on Feb. 4.

“This challenge will build pride in our programs and open the door to new fans and new supporters, as we highlight and spotlight one of the best rivalries in the country,” said USask president Peter Stoicheff, in an official statement.

“Like the Cougars and Rams, our Huskie student-athletes are outstanding players and also wonderful ambassadors for our university every time they put on a jersey.”

And while according to Chinn, an official trophy presentation and ceremony has yet to have all the details worked out, for whoever ends up on top, there is a lot to go through until then, even if you’re not the biggest sports fan on the planet.

“It’s just another game(s) to look forward to on the schedule, just creating that rivalry. Becoming a consistent tradition, I think is really going to make a difference for everyone involved,” she added.

“You don’t have to love hockey or football, or whatever sport to be a part of it. It’s about being part of the community, your alma mater or the school that you’re going to. It gives an opportunity for people to come together, not just about a sporting event, but about something bigger.”

Below is the official schedule for every game between the two schools this upcoming season.

U PRAIRIE CHALLENGE SCHEDULE

With some files from Huskie Athletics

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8