Athletics, Tradition and Gaiter Pride
When purple fills the stands, the entire community feels it.
Athletics plays a unique role at Bishop’s. You don’t need to be a varsity athlete to be part of it. Varsity games, campus traditions and shared celebrations bring students, alumni, faculty and staff together throughout the year. Whether you’re competing or cheering from the sidelines, Gaiter pride is part of the Bishop’s experience.
A university our size isn’t expected to compete at the highest levels of Canadian university sport, yet year after year, Gaiters teams continue to prove they belong. When a team wins a championship, the entire campus celebrates.
Gaiters by the Numbers
History of Athletics at Bishop’s (external Weebly site)
Homecoming, Game Days and Traditions
Throughout the year, varsity competition creates moments that unite students, alumni and supporters. For many students, athletics is less about competing and more about showing up. Filling the stands, cheering on classmates and celebrating Gaiter victories are part of campus life.
Homecoming weekends fill the campus with purple. Championship runs bring campus-wide celebrations. Rivalries become traditions. Game days become gatherings.
Whether you’re in the stands, volunteering behind the scenes or celebrating with friends after a big win, athletics helps create the shared experiences that connect generations of Gaiters.
Homecoming
One of the most anticipated weekends of the year, Homecoming brings together current students and alumni for varsity competition, campus traditions and a celebration of Gaiter pride.
Celebrate Homecoming with our Alumni
Game Day
Whether it’s football at Coulter Field, hockey at the Jane & Eric Molson Arena or basketball in the Mitchell Gym, varsity athletics brings energy and excitement to campus throughout the year.
Championship Moments
National tournaments, conference championships and unforgettable victories become part of Bishop’s history and are remembered long after graduation.
Varsity Teams
Bishop’s has nine varsity teams that compete in U SPORTS, the RSEQ and the Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association. Student-athletes compete at the highest level of Canadian university sport while balancing academics, leadership and community involvement.
Women’s Varsity Teams
- Basketball
- Ice Hockey
- Rugby
- Soccer
Men’s Varsity Teams
- Basketball
- Football
- Lacrosse
- Rugby
Mixed Varsity Teams
- Golf
Explore Teams, Schedules and Standings on Gaiters.ca
Athletics and Recreation for Every Student
Not every student arrives at Bishop’s planning to compete for a varsity team.
For many, athletics becomes part of university life in different ways. Some students join intramural leagues or club sports. Others spend time at the Plex between classes or take advantage of the Eastern Townships to ski, hike, bike, paddle and explore the outdoors.
Bishop’s Sports and Recreation Centre (a.k.a. “the Plex”)
The John H. Price Sports and Recreation Centre, known on campus as “the Plex,” is accessible to all students as part of their student fees.
Students have access to:
- Fully equipped fitness, cardio and weight rooms
- Two double gymnasiums
- An 800-seat ice hockey arena
- A renovated 25-metre indoor pool
- Dance, yoga and martial arts studios
- Discounted rates at Old Lennoxville Golf and Ski
The Eastern Townships Playground
One of the advantages of studying at Bishop’s is having the Eastern Townships as your backyard. With ski hills, hiking and biking trails, lakes, rivers and parks nearby, students can stay active in every season while exploring one of Quebec’s most scenic regions.
For Student-Athletes
Competing as a Gaiter means pursuing athletic excellence while earning a university degree. Prospective student-athletes can connect directly with coaches and learn more about recruitment opportunities through the Gaiters athletics program. Student-athletes benefit from a support system designed to help them succeed both academically and athletically. Coaches, professors and staff work together to create an environment where students can thrive in the classroom and in competition, and we can Win our Way.
Why Play for the Gaiters?
At Bishop’s, student-athletes are part of a close-knit community where coaches know their players, professors know their students and the campus shows up to support its teams. Despite competing as one of the smallest universities in Canadian university sport, the Gaiters consistently earn conference titles, national rankings and championship appearances, proving that success isn’t defined by size.
Student-Athlete Success
Gaiters student-athletes are expected to excel both academically and athletically. With academic advising, flexible support services and a culture that values achievement in the classroom as much as on the field of play, student-athletes are supported throughout their university experience.
- 104 Academic All-Stars and Academic All-Canadians (2024-25)
- Championship-level coaching
- Academic advising and support
- Strength and conditioning resources
- Sports medicine and rehabilitation services
- Mental health and wellness support
- High-performance facilities
A Community that Shows Up
For some students, this means representing Bishop’s on the field, court, course or ice. For others, it means filling the stands, celebrating a championship win, attending Homecoming or proudly wearing purple across campus.
No matter how you participate, Gaiters Athletics helps create the connections, traditions and sense of community that define the Bishop’s experience. Support extends beyond campus, too. In Lennoxville, game days bring together students, alumni, families and local residents, creating an atmosphere that feels bigger than a university of our size. When purple fills the stands, everyone is part of the team.