Black and Gold Day features Waterloo soccer

For the first time in its history, Orientation’s Black and Gold Day featured the game of soccer with varsity games by both Warrior teams and events for minor soccer players.

The Waterloo Warriors and Waterloo Minor Soccer Association developed a partnership for the 2013 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) soccer season that kicked off with the Black and Gold Day event on Saturday, September 7.

A highlight of the day was the Waterloo Warriors battling the McMaster Marauders at Warrior Field.

Waterloo Minor Soccer was heavily involved in the festivities to help promote and celebrate soccer in the region. The event kicked off with clinics put on by Waterloo Minor Soccer as well as carnival events organized by the Orientation committee.

Event promotes sportsmanship

Prior to kick off, each participating Warrior and Marauder player was accompanied by a minor soccer player as they made their way onto the field. The entrance, commonly seen in professional soccer across the globe, promoted sportsmanship and friendship through sport. Additionally Ron Smale, president of the Ontario Soccer Association, was in attendance to conduct the coin toss.

Black and Gold Day has been a keynote event for the department of athletics for over 15 years and attracts more than 3,000 student-athletes to the varsity game each year. The annual event is an integral part of the Waterloo's Orientation week and is an important step in promoting school spirit and pride to all first-year students across campus.

The orientation leaders put on their annual halftime dance during the women's soccer game while more events for Waterloo Minor Soccer happened throughout the remainder of the day.

This year's Black and Gold Day marked the first year that soccer was be on display and with the development of a strong relationship between Waterloo athletics and Waterloo Minor Soccer it should be a day that leads to bigger and better things down the road.