Ravens to host 2014 Panda Game at TD Place

Ottawa – On Saturday, September 20, 2014 the Carleton Ravens and Ottawa Gee-Gees will meet up in the annual Panda Game at TD Place, the newly renovated home of the Ottawa REDBLACKS (CFL), Ottawa Fury (NASL) and Ottawa 67’s (OHL).

Kick-off is set for 1pm.

“The Panda Game is a storied football event, like the Vanier Cup and the Grey Cup that assembles fans in the spirit of history, tradition and competition,  says Jeff Hunt, President, OSEG Sports.

“We’re honoured and excited to be hosting the Panda Game at TD Place, where thousands of fans of the Ravens, the Gee-Gees and sport in general will gather to celebrate the rebirth not only of an outstanding Ottawa sports tradition, but also of a new Lansdowne.”

The friendly football rivalry between Ottawa’s two largest universities started in 1955 and has its foundations in a little stuffed panda nicknamed “Pedro”.

The Panda Game was reborn in October 2013 with the return of the Carleton Ravens football program after a 15 year hiatus. Last year’s contest was held at Gee-Gees field with uOttawa coming out on top 35-10.

For Carleton fans, the highlight of the game was a CIS record tying, 129 yard touchdown by DB Tunde Adeleke.

This time around, the game will be played at a spectacular new venue that has everybody in Ottawa talking.

Playing the “big game” at TD Place is a great backdrop for CIS football and will provide a terrific destination for both student bodies and the Eastern Ontario/Western Quebec football communities.

“We (Carleton and the University of Ottawa) are extremely pleased to be at Lansdowne for the Panda football game.” stated Jennifer Brenning, Director of Recreation & Athletics at Carleton University.

“We want to re-build a positive tradition in the spectacular 24,000 transformed stadium TD Place. Our student-athletes will have an exceptional experience playing in this first class CFL facility.  We hope the community comes out in full force to support these talented student-athletes and watch some great university football.  ”

The first Panda Game was played at Lansdowne Park in 1955 with Carleton winning 14-6.

The annual event was played at Lansdowne until 1998 when Carleton cancelled their football program after that season. During the 44 years of competition, uOttawa owned a 32-12 overall record.

Carleton’s last Panda win came in 1994 when they defeated the Gee-Gees 27-15.

This year’s match will be the first Panda Game at the Bank Street facility in 16 years. In that 1998 game, Ottawa defeated Carleton 59-17.

Tickets for the 2014 Panda Game are on sale now at capitaltickets.ca.  For more information, visit goravens.ca.