[UPDATED – statements]: Gaiters to play in the Maritimes in 2017

To keep repeating the same thing over and over again with the same results has been said it is the definition of insanity. Well the Bishop Gaiters have changed their stars and will no longer be playing in the RSEQ come 2017.

As reported in La Tribune, the Gaiters will be moving to the Atlantic University Sport conference to join the Maritime teams; StFX, Mount Allison, Acadia, and Saint Mary’s. An official announcement is to follow later Thursday.

The RSEQ will now include five teams; McGill, Concordia, Montreal, Sherbrooke, and Laval.

Negotiations have been on-going and Bishop’s had until the 1st of December to file their transfer request. With the search of a new Head Coach for the team, this will be welcome news knowing that your playing days could significantly have a different outcome and the chance for a conference championship is now within reach.

Bishop’s have only had two winning seasons since 2008 and only made the playoffs five times since 2002.

What’s next?

The new addition follows that all the universities have similarities academically, size, and financial realities that will allow them to be competitive. Joining the previously formed U4, the Maple League as it is being called, was made official November 8, 2016 in Toronto.

While there was some dispute over the cost of transportation initially, those rumours were put to rest as talks were increased. Other problems that were presented were the ability to attract and keep high-level recruits as the competition with Laval, Montreal, and Sherbrooke was difficult.

It is mentioned that coaching candidates were met with earlier in the week.

(With files from: La Tribune)

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UPDATED: Bishop’s University Gaiters to leave the RSEQ university football league

Montreal, December 15, 2016 – The RSEQ (Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec) regretfully announces that Bishop’s University Gaiters will be leaving the RSEQ university football league. As of the 2017 season, the team will be joining the AUS (Atlantic University Sport) conference.

Bishop’s University expressed its challenges and intentions with its partners from the RSEQ university sector in October. Despite the disappointment in seeing the Gaiters move on, the RSEQ understands the issues and the reality currently faced by the Bishop’s University football program.

“Joining the AUS conference will allow the Bishop’s University football program to redefine itself through its core values as an institution. The RSEQ is hopeful for an eventual return to its ranks by the Gaiters in the future,” said Gustave Roel, RSEQ CEO.

Source: RSEQ 

UPDATED: Bishop’s Gaiters Football Program to Compete in AUS Starting in 2017
(SHERBROOKE, Que.) – The Bishop’s University football program and Atlantic University Sport (AUS) have agreed that the Bishop’s Gaiters football team will compete in the AUS beginning in the 2017 season.

“Bishop’s has competed in football since the late 1800’s,” said Jackie Bailey, Dean of Student Affairs at Bishop’s. “We have experienced numerous league configurations and changes over the years,” she said.

“Joining the AUS for football will allow us to align with universities of similar size, resources and values as they pertain to varsity sport.  We are committed to creating a context of excellence for our football program and are excited by the prospect of competing in the AUS.”

“Our respective football schools are very excited to have the Bishop’s Gaiters football program compete in the AUS conference starting in September 2017,” said Phil Currie, Executive Director of the AUS. “Expansion of the AUS conference football league has been on our agenda for many years. With the current university landscape in Canada, we believe that the timing is perfect to have Bishop’s join our conference,” he said. “There are still many details to be considered in creating our Sport Participation Agreement, and we look forward to working with Bishop’s to ensure a smooth transition.”

Bishop’s has competed in the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) university football conference since its inception in 2001.

“We are sorry to see the Bishop’s Gaiters football team leave the RSEQ conference, but we understand and respect their decision,” said Benoit Doloreux, Directeur des programmes universitaires of the RSEQ. “We are pleased to see their continued commitment to university football. Their storied history that dates back over 140 years speaks for itself.”

Bishop’s joins Acadia, Mount Allison, St. Francis Xavier and Saint Mary’s Universities as participants in AUS football.

Source: Bishop’s Gaiters

 

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