Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Team Waterloop unveils Hyperloop pod prototype

Waterloop, a student design team at the University of the Waterloo, unveiled to the public the new prototype they designed and built for the upcoming SpaceX Hyperloop competition.

Hyperloop is a high-speed passenger train that uses levitation, solar power and almost no air resistance in a low-atmosphere tube track, and linear induction motors for a fast and efficient fifth mode of transportation. The team will take their pod, Goose II, to the competition hosted by SpaceX, a company Elon Musk founded in 2002. Waterloop is the only Canadian team attending the competition.

“This is cutting-edge, futuristic stuff for a better, cleaner world. Just imagine getting to Montreal from Toronto in half an hour,” said Jason Pan, administration lead for Waterloop. “We can’t wait for the competition. But first, we’re so happy to give a sneak peek of our new, enhanced pod to the people who have supported us in our journey,” said Jake Malliaros, team captain.

An interdisciplinary team, Waterloop is made up of students from each of Waterloo’s six Faculties, from undergraduates to master’s-level. They handle all aspects of design, marketing, sponsorship and construction for the project. Serhiy Yarusevych, a professor of mechanical and mechatronics engineering at Waterloo, advises them.

“It’s inspiring to see this group of students with varying skills, interests and backgrounds come together with a common goal,” said Feridun Hamdullahpur. “They are demonstrating the curiosity, dedication and skill that often lead to world-changing discoveries, all while embodying the Waterloo spirit of innovation and collaboration.”

The Hyperloop Pod Competition II takes place in Hawthorne, California August 25 to 27. Teams will compete for maximum speed on SpaceX’s a one-mile track. Waterloop attended the first Hyperloop Pod Competition in January 2017.

Athletics to induct seven new members to Hall of Fame

This is an excerpt of an article originally published on the Athletics and Recreation website.

The Department of Athletics and Recreation is excited to announce that on the evening of Friday, September 29, seven integral members of the Warriors family will be inducted into the Waterloo Warriors Hall of Fame. 

"I am excited for us to relaunch our Waterloo Warriors Hall of Fame and to be able to recognize the significant contributions and achievements from previous Warriors who have paved a bright future for our department," said director of athletics and recreation Roly Webster.

A Hall of Fame Committee, made up of full-time staff, current hall of fame members and student-athletes, was established last winter with the immediate task to revitalize the hall and identify the next class to be inducted.

A formal ceremony will occur at Federation Hall to induct the following distinct members:

Judy McCrae (Coach/Founder) - Judy McCrae spent 14 years (1994-2008) as the Director of Athletics and 37 years overall in various roles within the department including coach of badminton, curling and field hockey. McCrae became one of the first women to lead a major Canadian University and sat on multiple major committees tasks forces for both the OWIAA/OUA and CIS. McCrae also spent time as the president for both the provincial and national conferences and has two trophies named after her (OUA women's golf and U SPORTS field hockey).  McCrae is one of the biggest ambassadors for field hockey in Canada, having spent 29 years with Field Hockey Canada serving as the President, High Performance Director, Coach and other key roles including the Chef De Mission for many of Canada's field hockey teams including World Cups, Pan Ams and Olympics. McCrae was also a member of the Canadian Olympic Association Board of Directors and has won several awards including the Young Waterloo Citizen Award and Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal.

Dr. Mark Inman (Athlete – Track and Field/Cross Country) Dr. Mark Inman competed with the Warriors track team from 1981-86 as a middle distance runner, breaking multiple individual school records and still holds the fastest time in the 4x800m relay. In only his second year, Inman ran an incredible race in the 1,500m at the 1982 national championship, smashing his own school record to capture the silver medal. At OUA championship meets, Inman has won three silver medals, one gold, and one bronze. His OUA gold medal came in his final year of competition at the 1986 OUA Championships hosted by York.

Andrew Krucker (Athlete – Track and Field/Cross Country) Andrew Krucker was a track star with the Warriors from 1982-87, competing alongside Mark Inman for five seasons. As a long distance runner, Krucker finished in the middle of the pack in most of races as a first year but connected with long distance running coach Don Mills and within a year blossomed into one of the best runners in Ontario. By the time Krucker graduated, he had won a bronze medal at the 1987 national championship and won two golds at the Ontario finals (1986 & 1987). Since graduating, Krucker continues to organize the annual Don Mills Meet hosted by UW on the north campus and is the central force in keeping communication lines open within all track/cross country alumni.

Bob Murdoch (Athlete – Hockey) Bob Murdoch was a defenceman with the Warriors men's hockey team from 1965-68, tallying 47 points (22g, 25a) in 34 regular season games. Murdoch thrived under head coach Don Hayes and upon graduation was selected to the Canadian National Team based in Ottawa and was a member of the 1969 Canada World Cup team that placed fourth. In 1970, Murdoch turned pro and went on to play 12 seasons (757 games) in the NHL with Montreal, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Calgary, amassing 278 career points and won the Stanley Cup in 1971 and 1973 with Montreal. Murdoch also coached 10 season in the NHL winning the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's coach of the year with the Winnipeg Jets in 1990. 

Maida Murray (Athlete – Swimming) Maida Murray competed with the Warriors swim team from 1972-76 and was an irreplaceable piece of the 1976 Athenas swimming and diving team that captured the first and only Waterloo women's national title, done so in their home pool at the PAC.  That team was inducted in the Waterloo Warriors Hall of Fame on November 9, 1996 in the Team Category. Murray has an unprecedented three silver and three bronze medals at the national championship and under current regulations would have made her a second-team all-Canadian. 

Clive Porter (Coach) Clive Porter has been an integral part of the squash program for the past 20 years and has always had the reputation of building strong relationships with his student-athletes. Porter has a unique ability to connect with each student-athlete on an individual level and is extremely dedicated to making everyone better, no matter what their skill level. In 1991, one of the international squash courts at the PAC was named after Porter in appreciation for his commitment and contribution to the varsity squash program. Although he isn't leading the squash team anymore, Porter remains part of the program and continues to pass down his extreme knowledge of squash to all of his student-athletes. 

Roy Wuertele (Member of Distinction) Roy Wuertele (Weenie) was employed with the department starting in 1965 at Seagram Stadium until 1980 when he transferred to the Plant Ops until his retirement in 1996.  While at Seagram Stadium, his responsibilities included purchasing, repairing, cleaning equipment for football, hockey, soccer, track and field, Intramurals, as well as basketball, volleyball and wrestling until the Physical Activities Complex opened. The highlight of Wuertele's career was his involvement with the 1974 CIAU Championship Hockey team, the first national title of any Warriors program.  Wuertele always went above and beyond and knew that doing the small things for each student-athlete would make them a better person and Warrior.

Read the full story on the Athletics and Recreation website.