Latest news with #varsitysports
CBC
13-05-2025
- General
- CBC
St. Francis Xavier community mourns Father Stan
Social Sharing St. Francis Xavier University is mourning the loss of Rev. Stanley MacDonald, a friendly presence on campus and an ardent supporter of varsity sports at the Antigonish, N.S., school. MacDonald, known affectionately as Father Stan, died on Sunday. He was 92. "St. FX lost a gentleman. St. FX lost a friend. We're going to miss him," Bob Hale, assistant vice-president of administration and ancillary services at St. FX, told CBC News on Monday. MacDonald was from Glace Bay, N.S., and attended St. FX. He played varsity rugby and hockey and graduated in 1954, later becoming a priest and returning to St. FX in 2008 to be a clergy-in-residence. He regularly attended varsity games for both men's and women's teams. Hale said MacDonald would often be the one to get the crowd chanting "Go X Go" at games. WATCH | Father Stan leads Go X Go chant in locker room: "The kids would gather around him and echo his 'Go X Go' until the entire arena got going with it. At the recent basketball championships in Halifax, Father Stan — they captured it on the big screen and had a 'Go X Go' chant in the Scotiabank Centre, so that was pretty exciting for him and his family." When he wasn't at games, Hale said, MacDonald made time for everyone and was genuinely interested in their stories. "He wanted to know where they were from, who their parents were and if they were enjoying their time at St. FX and if there was something he could do for them," Hale said. "Even when he had fallen ill, when the nurses and various other staff would come in, he always had time for them and made them feel like they were the most important thing happening at that time." In a letter to the campus community, St. FX president and vice-chancellor Andrew W. Hakin said MacDonald "always had a smile, a fist bump, and a cheery word for everyone he met." Hakin described MacDonald as "an unofficial guidance counsellor, book club guide, spiritual advisor, meal companion, and the ultimate StFX Super Fan." "He represented the very best of being Xaverian. May his noble spirit rest in peace," Hakin wrote.
Associated Press
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Marquette announces addition of women's swimming to its list of varsity programs
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Marquette is launching a women's swimming program, marking the first time it has added a varsity sport since 2013. School officials have launched a national search for someone to coach the program, which could begin competition as early as the 2025-26 school year. Marquette plans to compete in the Big East championships in women's swimming, but it won't have a diving program. Big East schools that already have women's swimming include Butler, UConn, Georgetown, Providence, Seton Hall, Villanova and Xavier. 'Adding women's swimming will improve gender equity in athletics and provide a revenue generation opportunity for the university, while offering a competitive Division I experience for our student-athletes,' athletic director Mike Broeker said in a statement. 'It's a win-win for our department and university.' The team will train and compete in the recently renovated Wellness + Helfaer Recreation facility, which includes a six-lane, 25-yard pool plus seating for nearly 150 spectators and a dedicated team locker room. The facility would be able to host dual competitions, though any larger meets would take place off campus. Women's swimming becomes Marquette's 17th varsity sport, which includes nine women's programs. Marquette last launched a new program in 2013, when it added men's and women's lacrosse. ___ AP college sports:
