Marywood University

Men’s Basketball

Canadian Journey

with President Jim Walker

Friday, October 11

An excited Marywood University Men’s Basketball team departed from the front of the Center for Athletics and Recreation around 3:00 p.m. for their charter bus ride to Niagara Falls, Canada. They stopped for dinner at the Quinn Family home in Webster, NY. The Quinns hosted a great pasta dinner for all in their beautiful home at about the halfway point in the first day’s journey. After dining, the team continued to the border crossing and on to the St. Catharines Hampton Inn for the night.

Saturday, October 12

Following breakfast at the hotel, the team boarded the bus and headed toward their Niagara Falls cruise to the Canadian Falls. Riding into the mist was indeed a breathtaking experience, like being in a torrential downpour. Despite wearing ponchos, everyone was still soaked by the end of the cruise.  

Then it was on to the impressive White Water Walk, a boardwalk along the Niagara River rapids, where the swift, loud river flows at up to 50 km/hr, with waves as high as 5 meters. Everyone was in awe of the powerful rapids.

After finishing the White Water Walk and team picture-taking it was time to pick up the subs for lunch. The group bussed to the Welland Canal Center for a picnic lunch and a chance to observe several large ships on their journey to and from Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. Watching how the locks worked proved to be very interesting.

The team was back on the bus headed to their first game at Redeemer University College in Ancaster, Ontario.  In a back and forth game, Redeemer pulled ahead at the end to win 78-74. 

It was just a short drive to the post game meal at the Hamilton Mandarin Restaurant, an all you can eat buffet with delicies to please everyone.

After dinner the team headed to the Hampton Inn, Brampton, their home for the next three nights.

Sunday, October 13

After breakfast at the hotel, the team headed into Toronto for a full day of sightseeing before their game at night. With Toronto native Jackie giving them an interesting tour of the city’s major sports and tourist sites, the Pacers learned much about Toronto’s sports, graffiti art, and civic history.

The tour finished at the Yonge-Dundas Square, where Jackie took them underground to find places to eat lunch on their own. She said her goodbyes at the conclusion of an excellent introduction to Toronto.

After lunch, the Pacers took a tour to the CN Tower, at one time an architectural seventh wonder of the world and the world’s tallest free-standing building. The team was able to see great views of the city they had just toured.            

After a pregame dinner at Moxies Downtown, one of Toronto’s best steak houses, the Pacers took on the Sheridan College Bruins. Sheridan jumped off to a good start and never trailed. Marywood narrowed the deficit several times throughout the game, but the Bruins responded each time to win the game 91-75. A trip to Popeyes for a post-game meal finished a good day.

Monday, October 14

On Canada’s Thanksgiving Day, it was on to one of the highlights of the tour, the Alliston Curling Club and everyone’s first encounter with the Olympic Sport of Curling. After an hour of instruction, the Pacers formed teams, including coaches and players, for some enthusiastic competition.

Our gracious hosts at Alliston Curling Club, provided the tables for our hamburger lunch from Champ Burger in Alliston. Canada is famous for its popular burger restaurants and Champ Burger did not disappoint.

Then it was on to Georgian College in Barrie for a contest with the Georgian Grizzlies, the best team Marywood would face on the tour. It was a tough matchup, as Georgian was very good on both ends, and the Pacers battled throughout the game to keep the score close.                              

                                                              

Following the game, the team took the bus to the Simmering Kettle Restaurant, where they celebrated the Canadian Thanksgiving with a very good dinner. The Pacers arrived at the hotel early in the evening for a good night’s rest.

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Tuesday, October 15

The team slept in on Sunday morning and ate a late breakfast before leaving the hotel to walk to Mr. Sub for lunch. They then made the drive to Lina Linguini’s in St. Catharines for a pre-game. After a delicious meal, they bused to Niagara College in Welland for their fourth and final game of the tour. Playing their best game, the Pacers won 80-77. After picking up personal pizzas for the return home, it was time to say goodbye to Canada. They returned to Marywood with many wonderful memories of their experiences.