This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The team plays home games in McGill's Percival Molson Memorial Stadium. The McGill University Hockey Club – later re-christened "The Redmen" – was founded in 1877, arguably making the McGill men's hockey team the first and oldest ice hockey club in the world. The McGill Redbirds (formerly the McGill Redmen) and McGill Martlets are the varsity athletic teams that represent McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. [1][2], 1950s McGill team logos featured Aboriginal Canadian iconography and reports by news sources in the 1950s refer to the "McGill Indians" in their sports reporting. On Nov. 17 McGill announced a new name for the men’s varsity teams: Redbirds. “We saw for decades Indigenous students feeling ostracized, isolated on campus. The Montreal school settled on the new moniker more than a year after doing away with the old Redmen name that the university said caused pain and alienation for Indigenous students. The women’s teams are nicknamed the Martlets. YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – A total of 11 Eastern Michigan University football student-athletes were named Preseason All-MAC by Phil Steele's College Football Preview, the magazine announced this week. After McGill, Nova Scotia high school moves to drop Redmen team name, McGill University drops Redmen name from sports teams, citing pain caused to Indigenous students, tap here to see other videos from our team. The Selwyn House Gryphons high-school football team also play their home games at the stadium. The next issue of Posted Newsletter will soon be in your inbox. According to Suzanne Morton, a professor of history at McGill, the name "McGill Redmen" was first adopted in 1927, initially intended to reflect James McGill's Scottish heritage and hair color. “Now that I am, I realized it’s now time for a change.”. “That name in particular, initially when I started I wasn’t aware of the cultural insensitivity,” Sinodinos said. McGill men's sports teams to be named Redbirds after lengthy process. Hubert Lacroix, co-chair of the naming committee and a former head coach of the women’s basketball team, understood the tradition and importance of the Martlet name, which also refers to a bird. The long-overdue announcement came more than a year after an initial email from the office of Principal Suzanne Fortier, sent in April 2019, which stated that McGill would be dropping the slur formerly used as the name for the men’s varsity teams. Despite this, after the hiring of a new football coach from the United States sometime before 1940, Indigenous imagery was brought in to accompany the name as a show of spectacle. Dimitrios Sinodinos, a fourth-year McGill engineering student and football team member, said he is excited to be a Redbirds player next season, and … Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited. McGill University’s men’s varsity sports teams will be known as the Redbirds going forward, the university announced Tuesday. [9][8], Since 2005, the mascot for both the men's and women's varsity teams has been Marty the Martlet. McGill University's campus is seen Tuesday, November 14, 2017 in Montreal. [1][6], A second student-led campaign, #ChangeTheName, was organized in 2017 by the McGill Student Union Indigenous Affairs committee. [1] Men's teams became colloquially known as the "Indians" and from 1961 to 1967 women's teams were formally known as the "Super Squaws". This victory marked a three-peat for the Redmen as Canadian National Champions, a streak which has now been extended to five straight national championships. “Redbirds works because it connects with the Martlets name,” Lacroix said. The team plays out of Trudeau Park in Côte-Saint-Luc. The McGill Redbirds (formerly the McGill Redmen) and McGill Martlets are the varsity athletic teams that represent McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Senior offensive lineman Steve Nielsen (Dragoer, Denmark-La Lumiere (Ind.) MONTREAL — McGill University's men's varsity sports teams will be known as the Redbirds going forward, the university announced Tuesday. "[8] On November 17, 2020, "Redbirds" was announced as the new name for the McGill men's varsity teams. The McGill Redbirds football team represents McGill University athletics teams in U Sports and is based in Montreal, Quebec. The women's team has won championships in 1985, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. “I think if we really want to put the Redmen name behind us once and for all, that means reaching out to Indigenous communities, overcoming the legacy of the Redmen name, not just changing the name itself.”. The baseball team plays in the Canadian Collegiate Baseball Association (CCBA). [5] At the same time, a large crest depicting an Indigenous man wearing a headdress was removed from the McGill gym. Robertson, and W.L. McGill Sports Centre Currie Gym 475 Pine Ave. West Montreal, Qc H2W 1S4 Phone: 514-398-1539 McGill has twice won Canada's national championship, the Baggataway Cup, in 2012 and 2015. McGill men's sports teams to be named Redbirds after lengthy process. [3][4] Stereotyped Indigenous iconography was on McGill football and hockey team jerseys and helmets until 1992 when a student-led campaign against the name and imagery led to their removal. The school had announced in April 2019 that it was doing away with Redmen. McGill competes in the CUFLA East versus Bishop's, Carleton, Nipissing, Ottawa, Trent and Queen's Universities. In 1877, several McGill students, including Creighton, Henry Joseph, Richard F. Smith, W.F. McGill's sailing program was founded in 1949, and the first regattas took place in Northern New England. Tomas Jirousek, a former McGill student who led the name change fight, said the new name is another step toward recognizing Indigenous students. Consideration was given to going with a single name — the Martlets, the name of the school’s women’s teams — but ultimately the idea was dismissed. Murray codified seven ice hockey rules. This occurred when McGill defeated the Ryerson Rams by a score of 5–2. [7], On April 12, 2019, McGill announced that "McGill University's men's varsity teams will cease to be called the Redmen. The McGill Redbirds and McGill Martlets are the varsity athletic teams that represent McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They have won seven national championships (2006 and 2010 under the old CIBA banner and 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 under the new CCBA banner), and have appeared in two national finals (2005 and 2008). We apologize, but this video has failed to load. The 15-man McGill Lacrosse Club of 1898 was led by F. L. Thompson (President), R. H. Craig (Vice President), and A. J. The university operates both men's and women's teams in U Sports. After their 2005 suspension, the team struggled with three losing seasons, including two winless seasons in 2007 and 2008. McGill University has chosen Redbirds as the new name for its men's varsity sports teams. The Redbirds name was used by ski teams in the 1920s and 1930s and more recently by the school’s baseball team, as well as for a fall basketball tournament dubbed the Redbird Classic. Special New Year's Offers for Print Subscriptions! The Montreal school settled on the new moniker more than a year after doing away with the old Redmen name that the university said caused pain and alienation for Indigenous students. The Montreal school settled on the new moniker more than a … The soccer program at McGill operates for a big part of the school year. © 2021 National Post, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4. This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Numerous American clubs, including Brooklyn, Staten Island, Yale, and Harvard, challenged that McGill Lacrosse Club, but it was impossible to accept on account of approaching exams.[13]. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. A 2005 hazing scandal forced the cancellation of the final two games in the McGill Redmen football season. The name change follows a lengthy debate over the former Redmen name, which was not initially adopted as a reference to Indigenous peoples. Preparation for the U Sports season starts with try-outs in mid-August and several preseason games against NCAA teams. On March 3, 1875 the first organized indoor game was played at Montreal's Victoria Skating Rink by James George Aylwin Creighton and several McGill University students. Contact. The McGill Shop allows you to customize McGill clothing for every type of Redbirds fan. [16], Varsity teams at McGill University, Canada, "McGill University cancels football season", McGill University Press Release, October 19, 2005. We have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. “It’s not racist, the name doesn’t offend anybody and that’s something to celebrate,” said Jirousek, who is Indigenous. That association was made in the 1950s when men’s and women’s teams came to be nicknamed the “Indians” and “Squaws.”. The Montreal school settled on the new moniker more than a year after doing away with the old Redmen name that the university said caused pain and alienation for Indigenous students. Oh, how offensive! He said there are other steps toward reconciliation, including investment in Indigenous support services and outreach to Indigenous communities. The Redmen? A renaming committee was formed in spring 2019 at McGill, after a campaign led by students advocated for the removal of the “Redmen” name. We saw Indigenous communities withdrawing from McGill,” Jirousek said from Toronto. Since he came to McGill in 2017, Dimitri Sinodinos has given his all as a student and a varsity athlete. ", Provost's Task Force on Indigenous Studies and Indigenous Education, "McGill students vote to change Redmen sports teams' name", "Naming of the McGill men's varsity teams", "Hazing probe prompts McGill to cancel football", http://www.football.mcgill.ca/mediaroom/2005/10_19_2005.php, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=McGill_Redbirds_and_Martlets&oldid=997125217, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox school athletics with the name2 parameter, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 30 December 2020, at 03:12. McGill University's varsity men's sports teams will now be known as the Redbirds. [12], Lacrosse was played to a limited extent at McGill as early as 1873. Lacrosse was played to a limited extent at McGill as early as 1873. Sign up to receive the daily top stories from the National Post, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. Originally written as Red Men, the name dated back to the 1920s. It also corresponds to Currie Gym’s Redbirds Sports Shop, and the red-coloured birds on McGill’s coat of arms. MONTREAL — McGill University's men's varsity sports teams will be known as the Redbirds going forward, the university announced Tuesday. MONTREAL — McGill University's men's varsity sports teams will be known as the Redbirds going forward, the university announced Tuesday. McGill University of Montreal announced Tuesday that its men’s varsity teams now will be known as Redbirds. The team has appeared in three Vanier Cup national championships, in 1969, 1973 and 1987, with the team finally winning the title in the 1987 game. MONTREAL — McGill University’s men’s varsity sports teams will be known as the Redbirds going forward, the university announced Tuesday. We encountered an issue signing you up. School) and senior defensive back Kevin McGill (Waldorf, Md.-Westlake) landed spots on the All-MAC … Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. The McGill U Sports football Redbirds is one of the oldest in all of Canada, having begun organized competition in 1874. McGill University's men's sports teams have a new name - the McGill Redbirds. The men's team has won championships in 1883, 1903, 1905, 1912, 1918, 1921, 1930, 1931, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1946, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012,[11] including the 2012 CIS University Cup national championship. McGill appeared in the … In a 2018 referendum organized by McGill's student union, 78.8% of 5,856 participating students voted in favour of changing the teams' name. Today, the team competes in the New England Intercollegiate Sailing Association, which itself is a part of the Intercollegiate Sailing Association and in the Canadian Intercollegiate Sailing Association. “It strikes that balance between being a new name, being part of our tradition and being the kind of name everyone will be able to rally around,” Labeau said in an interview. The program is one of the oldest in all of Canada, having begun organized competition in 1874. The team trains out of the Royal St. Lawrence Yacht Club throughout the fall and competes in dinghies such as the collegiate 420 and the Flying Junior. “Once you understand this is a name that we could no longer use, then you move on to the next chapter and try to find a name that works,” Lacroix said. "Redbirds works because it connects with the Martlets name," Lacroix said. Please try again. Fabrice Labeau, the university’s deputy provost of student life and learning, said several names emerged as potential choices, but Redbirds, checked all the boxes, including some historical links to the institution. The 15-man McGill Lacrosse Club of 1898 was led by F. L. Thompson (President), R. H. Craig (Vice President), and A. J. In 2002 the team gained Level-3 varsity club status at McGill, and joined the Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association, Canada's premier league founded in 1985. Now in his fourth year of Electrical and Computer Engineering, he is the starting quarterback on the newly named McGill Redbirds football team. Four-time recipient of the Harry Griffith's Award in 2007, 2008, 2012 and 2015, the team has won eight CUFLA East conference titles in 2007, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. McGill says men's sports teams to be named Redbirds after dropping Redmen name in April 2019. A committee considered 1,200 submissions with 230 proposed names, referring the more popular ones back for a second consultation with the community. There was an error, please provide a valid email address. In 2018, Tomas Jirousek, then a member of the McGill rowing team, organized a protest against the use the Redmen team name. Whether you’re a McGill student, parent, player, fan, or alumni, you’ll choose from over 500 products in the McGill Store to customize including the newest McGill Redbirds T-shirts , Sweathsirts , Hoodies , Hats , Trending , Polos , Shorts and more. The name change follows a lengthy debate over the former Redmen name, which was not initially adopted as a reference to Indigenous peoples. McGill plays out of Percival Molson Memorial Stadium, where the Canadian Football League's Montreal Alouettes also play. In April 2019, the university announced it was dropping the Redmen name effective immediately. Dimitrios Sinodinos, a fourth-year McGill engineering student and football team member, said he is excited to be a Redbirds player next season, and he said teammates have moved on from the Redmen name. Grant (Secretary Treasurer). [11], On November 15, 2003, Kim St. Pierre was the first woman in U Sports history to be credited with a win in a men's regular season game. The stadium is also home to the McGill Redbirds and Martlets of the RSEQ, the Montreal Royal of the American Ultimate Disc League, and the Canadian Corporate Soccer League, the largest amateur corporate league in Canada. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. The school has said it was a tribute to the team’s red uniforms and possibly a nod to university founder James McGill’s Celtic origins. The name doesn't offend anybody and that's something to celebrate. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings. Numerous American clubs, including Brooklyn, Staten Island, Yale, and Harvard, challenged that McGill Lacrosse Club, but it was impossible to accept on account of approaching exams. “Redbirds works because it connects with the Martlets name,” Lacroix said. The name “Redbirds” dates back to the founding of McGill’s Red Birds Ski Club in 1928. Dimitrios Sinodinos, a fourth-year McGill engineering student and football team … McGill University's campus is seen Tuesday, November 14, 2017 in Montreal. The mascot made its first appearance at the 2005 Homecoming men's football game, where it was presented to the McGill Athletics Department by the Student Organization for Alumni Relations.[10]. "[15] In 2006, McGill's Senate approved a proposed anti-hazing policy to define forbidden initiation practices. The Official Site of McGill Athletics & Recreation Search Go . [14] An investigation into the incident showed that "the event did involve nudity, degrading positions and behaviours, gagging, touching in inappropriate manners with a broomstick, as well as verbal and physical intimidation of rookies by a large portion of the team. If you don't see it please check your junk folder. Read more about cookies here. The hybrid Canadian-box-American-field lacrosse program is geographically diverse with student-athletes recruited from across Canada and the US. The teams play at McGill's McConnell Arena. Grant (Secretary Treasurer). The team has achieved a record of 97–11–1 since 2011 versus Canadian opponents. The team won its first collegiate championship in 1902 and also won in 1912, 1913, 1919, 1928, 1938 and 1960 prior to the inauguration of the Vanier Cup in 1965. MONTREAL — McGill University has chosen Redbirds as the new name for its men’s varsity sports teams. 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