I apologize if this is somewhat of an ignorant question. However, I've caught some CFL games over the past couple of months down here in Tennessee on the tele, and to a degree it has given me my football fix. Or at least enough of a fix to hold me over until September. As I said, I live in Tennessee, and down in the American South college football is king; and some would even call it a religion, especially in SEC country (guess like hockey is up there).
Now, that got me a wondering about college football in Canada. I know you guys play it, but just how big is it? Is it a big deal, or just more of a collegiate club sport? Anyway, I know it's probably a stupid American dumbass question, but I was just curious.
And I remember while I was a University of Tennessee in the late 90s and early 00s we recruited a couple of offensive linemen from Canada. Unfortuately, neither turned out to do much of anything.
Finally, I need a CFL team to call my favorite. So, are there currently any UT Vols on any of the rosters up there? I know Jermaine Copeland played once upon a time up there.
NO, college football is not big in Canada. Crowd size ranges from 1000 to 20,000 people per game. from what I know of CIS football most crowds are under 6000 fans.I would say it is equal to division 2 ncaa football in terms of attendance - and equal to NCAA 1AA football interms of talent. It will be a long time before you see fans making CIS Football a religion in Canada.
i am disgusted at the lack of support for college football in Canada. It is starting to catch on; but I think the weather plays a roll in it and the long travel distances. Some teams are starting to get more exposure and the football is pretty decent. Nothing beats SEC football though.....
the CIS will never come close to the NCAA in pretty much any category. although the quality of the CIS is getting better and better each year, it will never be on par (at least in my lifetime).
college ball is pretty big in QUEBEC. laval gets 20,000 a game, and are looking to expand their stadium (and also their attendances), at saint marys games they usually get 6-7,000, and most AUS games "sellout" (albiet 2,000-3,000 fans).
i dont know enough about OUA conference, or western conference schools to comment on them.
The above post is correct in terms of attendance. The National Championship game last year (we actually have a real playdown where the final two teams meet for the championship) was played in a small stadium (which sold out completely) of around 14,000 people.
As far as Vols, Copeland still plays - he's in Calgary. Johnathan Brown plays in Toronto.
Tee Martin had a cup of coffee up here but was never better than third string.
I’m surprised at the lack of support for college ball too. Hopefully the CFL making a bigger of the draft this past spring than they had in recent years will cause some fans to “discover” it.
CIS formerly CIAU football is good quality football with excellent coaching for most teams. The western league is very competitive with Univ. of Saskatchewan holding the upper hand lately but Manitoba, U. of Alberta, UBC and Univ. of Calgary and Univ. of Regina competitive while Simon Fraser University has been a big disappointment lately with some goofy coaching hirings. Great traditions at U. of S., UBC, U. of A., and U. of C. help too.
As for fans , it is not a huge thing for Canadians to watch university football. However, the games are well played and exciting with wide open Canadian football rules. Go catch a game - you will not be disappointed. The Playoffs leading to the Vanier Cup are always exciting with Quebec and Western Canadian teams being strongest recently!!
TO BE HONEST THE SEC SUCKS FOOTBALL IS A MIDWEST GAME GO BUCKEYES THE VOLS PLAY THAT ROCKY TOP SONG WAY TO MUCH IF YOU WANT TO SEE A GAME TRY OHIO STATE VS MICHIGAN ITS THE BIGGEST FOOTBALL GAME AND ONE OF THE BEST RIVALS OF ALL OF SPORTS.....I HATE THE VOLS I KNOW CAL IS GOING TO RUN OVER THEM IN A FEW WEEKS www.bucknuts.com FOR EVERYTHING BUCKEYE
Thanks for the update on the Big 10 or 11 ( or whatever you call it), but I think Bigorange was asking about Canadian College ball.But since you brought up Michigan and Ohio State my question is why would anyone want to watch an over rated conference such as the Big 10? They always choke in big games and they will never win a national championship unless some sportswriter screws up on his/her ballot.
Nice to get a good question from a friend in Tennessee.
I haven't live in Canada for quite a few years now, but college sports (of any kind) didn't get a lot of media fanfare when I was there.
I used to go to the Panda Game (annual football match between U of O and Carleton) back in the '80s and it was always a very large crowd of maybe 15k. Sadly those days are gone now (as is pro football in Ottawa), but I think college ball is pretty popular in many places despite the lack of media coverage.
I once went to the Vanier Cup (national championship) at old Varsity Stadium in Toronto. It was SRO and very cold but an incredibly fun experience I will never forget.
i read on the allcanadagridiron.com forums that university of ottawa geegee's have already sold over 6,000 season tickets before camp even started! too bad carlton folded their program, that would be a big attended rivalry in the city of ottawa.