Building pride, wellness and community
Concordia’s Recreation and Athletic department supports two equally important dimensions of campus life. Athletics drives varsity excellence, leadership, and school pride. Recreation supports wellness, balance, and the everyday Concordia experience for students, faculty and staff. Both operate with care, creativity, and commitment, and both continue to succeed despite operating within tight constraints.
“Concordia’s student fees to fund recreation and athletics remain among the lowest in the country,” says Vice-President, Services and Sustainability, Michael Di Grappa. “In some contexts, that affordability might be a point of pride, but it also means the department’s success relies on collaboration, creativity, and the support of our broader community.”
Athletics: excellence, leadership, and pride
Despite this context, Concordia's athletic teams continue to deliver exceptional results at the provincial and national levels, driven by talented student-athletes and a coaching staff known for excellence, mentorship, and leadership.
The 2024-25 season was a standout year. The women’s hockey team hosted and won the Theresa Humes Tournament, finished first in the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ), and earned Team of the Year recognition at the Gala Sports Québec.
The men’s hockey team made program history, capturing the Corey Cup and the first-ever Queen’s Cup for Concordia before earning a U SPORTS silver medal, the program’s first since 1984. Head coach Marc-André Élément was named U SPORTS Coach of the Year, a national honour reflecting both athletic success and leadership.
Football and rugby student-athletes were recognized with multiple provincial awards, highlighting not only performance but also leadership, volunteerism, and community engagement.
Basketball also played an important role this year. Following a strong non-conference preseason, the men’s and women’s teams entered league play with momentum, ranking second and fourth in the RSEQ early in the season. Concordia’s men’s and women’s soccer teams also completed their season, contributing to Concordia’s varsity presence.
Beyond competition, Athletics extends its impact through outreach and development initiatives. Programs such as the Junior Stingers girls’ hockey initiative, delivered in partnership with CCM and the NHL, expand access to sport for young athletes while providing Concordia student-athletes with leadership and mentorship opportunities.
Varsity athletes also play an active role in supporting the campus community, from welcoming new students with help during residence move-in to lending a hand to peers across campus. Concordia Stingers demonstrate that leadership extends well beyond sport. This leadership is also shaped and sustained by the deeply invested coaching staff.
“Our coaches are deeply invested,” says Di Grappa. “They are leaders in their sports communities and mentors first. They care about our students and about Concordia, and for many of them, this work is personal as Concordia graduates themselves.
Recreation: wellness, access, and everyday life
While Athletics supports Concordia pride, recreation plays a vital role in providing a space for the Concordia community to connect outside the classroom or office, for students, faculty, and staff alike.
In 2024–25, Concordia offered a wide range of recreational programming designed to meet diverse interests and experience levels. More than 40 fitness classes were available, spanning dance (including salsa, ballet and contemporary), martial arts (such as kendo and kickboxing), relaxation practices like yoga and stretching, and strength-focused training like Pilates and conditioning. Skill-building opportunities, including skating and volleyball instruction, further expanded access for those looking to try something new.
Participation remained strong across the board. Memberships to Le Gym included more than 2,000 students, 300 staff and over 500 public members. Recreational sports leagues also played a key role in campus life, with 75 teams and roughly 900 participants competing in sports like hockey, soccer, basketball and volleyball, alongside more informal drop-in activities such as badminton and table tennis.
Beyond participation, recreation also serves as an important on-campus employer. Most roles within Concordia’s recreation facilities are held by students, creating meaningful employment opportunities that foster leadership, responsibility, peer connection, and, in some cases, real-world experience in their field of study.
Efforts are also underway to further strengthen recreation’s role in welcoming new students. By expanding its presence at orientation activities and increasing awareness of available programming, the department aims to connect more students to these services earlier in their university experience.
“Our recreation staff work every day to create welcoming spaces and engaging programming for our community,” says Di Grappa. “They provide a space where people connect, through movement, social interaction or simply taking a break, improving both physical and mental well-being.”
Community support makes impact possible
The success of both Athletics and Recreation is strengthened by the support of the broader Concordia community. Donors, often parents, alumni, former student-athletes, and dedicated “friends of” Recreation and Athletics, play a crucial role in supporting teams, programs, and student experiences.
“These supporters help bridge critical gaps and make a tangible difference,” Di Grappa says. “Their generosity allows us to sustain programs, enhance opportunities, and continue to serve students in meaningful ways.”
At the same time, Athletic teams contribute directly to campus vitality by bringing visitors to campus, generating important revenue and visibility. With targeted investment, Di Grappa notes that “there is potential for a cycle where increased revenue is reinvested into programs, facilities and the wider Concordia community.
Upgrades at Loyola in 2024-25, including improvements to outdoor lighting and scoreboards, demonstrate the impact of focused investment. These enhancements elevate both the athlete and spectator experience, strengthen school pride, and open the door to new revenue opportunities.
With continued collaboration and support from students, alumni, donors, community partners, and government, Recreation and Athletics can build on their success, expanding opportunities, strengthening wellness, and reinforcing their role as a unifying force within the Concordia community.
