For October’s blog and the final installment in our special anniversary series we will look at Athletics and Intramurals – the spaces and the evolution of inter-university sport and intramurals between 1948 and 1993.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Athletic Spaces<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe First Gymnasium<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nIn 1950 Ryerson’s first gymnasium was located in a converted garage on Church Street. The space consisted of a spacious gymnasium with lockers and shower facilities, a social\/common room, The Supply Store, a game room, a tuck shop, and a barber shop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Ryerson's](\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\")
Ryerson’s first gymnasium (RG 95.1 Athletics CM51-6)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nKerr Hall Gymnasiums<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\nIn the 1964 2 new gymnasiums and a swimming pool opened in the brand new Howard Kerr Hall. The two gymnasiums could be utilized as 3 full sized basketball courts, 9 badminton courts, or 6 volleyball courts. The 23 metre swimming pool was built with 2 one-metre diving boards and a locker room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Construction of Kerr Hall Pool, ca. 1962 (RG 95.1 Howard Kerr Hall)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>Upper Gym in Kerr Hall, ca. 1963 (RG 95.1 Howard Kerr Hall)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nRyerson Athletic Centre<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nOpened in 1987, Ryerson’s unique underground Recreation and Athletics Centre provided 50,000 square feet of new facilities including 7 squash courts, two multipurpose gyms, a fitness training centre, a dance studio, a running track, and shower facilities. Built beneath the Kerr Hall Quadrangle, the two storey centre required a 30 foot excavation to accommodate it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Construction of Ryerson Athletic Centre in Kerr Hall Quad, ca. 1985 (RG 395.40.06)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>Construction of interior of the Ryerson Athletic Centre, ca. 1985 (RG 395.40.06)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>Running track and court in Ryerson Athletic Centre, ca. 1985 (RG 395.40.06)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>Running Track and court in the Ryerson Athletic Centre ca. 1988 (RG 395.40.06)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>Atrium in Ryerson Athletic Centre ca. 1988 (RG 395.40.06)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nMattamy Athletic Centre<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\nThe Mattamy Athletic Centre, previously known as Maple Leaf Gardens, features a second floor fitness centre and a hardwood dance studio. Home of the Ryerson Rams basketball, volleyball, and hockey teams since 2012, the building also houses a full sized ice rink that can accommodate 2500 seated fans, team rooms, and Coca-Cola Court – a multipurpose gym court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eggy the Ram and Carleton the Bear in front of the future Mattamy Athletic Centre, formerly Maple Leaf Gardens (Ryerson Archives digital assets)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>Puck drop by Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the official opening of the Mattamy Athletic Centre, 2012. Photographer: Clifton Li (Ryerson Archives Digital Assets)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>Front cover of the 2012-2013 Ryerson Athletics year in review report (RG 30.116)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nAthletics<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe first sports teams organized at Ryerson in 1948 were men’s hockey, men’s basketball and co-ed swimming, and co-ed equestrian. The men’s hockey team was the first athletics group to compete wearing the blue, gold, and white uniform. In 1949 a women’s hockey team was established and played at Ravina Gardens in High Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ryerson Football program – RIT vs RMC, Saturday October 20, 1962 (RG 30.27)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>Women’s basketball team playing in the old gymnasium, ca. 1957 (RG 95.1 Basketball)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>Men’s Basketball team on the court, ca. 1962. (RG 95.1 Basketball)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>Ryerson Zebras men’s soccer team, ca. 1959 (RG 95.1 Soccer)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nBy 1993, Ryerson Athletics programs were much more developed. The teams competed nationally in the Canadian Inter-university Athletic Union in hockey, basketball, volleyball, soccer and swimming. Other Ryerson sports teams included badminton, fencing, squash, as well as men’s hockey and women’s figure skating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ryerson Athletics and Recreation brochure, ca. 1993 (RG 30.70)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>Ryerson Inter-University Athletics annual report for 1993\/1994 (RG 30.002.001)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>Ryerson Rams Inter-University sports schedules. 1993-1994 (RG 30.002.001)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nIntramurals<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIntramural programs were designed with fun and creation in mind. There were no try-outs or skill requirements to join.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because of a delay in the construction of Ryerson’s gymnasium on Church Street, the Athletics Association was not able to organize extensive intramural programs. By the Fall of 1951 intramural programs for basketball, badminton and volleyball were held in the gym, while hockey, swimming, riding, curling and skiing took place off campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ryerson Riding Club at Whitewood Stables, ca. 1950 (RG 95.1 Clubs)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nBy 1993 over 3000 students participated in 40 different intramural programs. Leagues were divided into women’s, co-ed, and men’s groups and programs included aerobics, innertube water polo and line dancing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ryerson Intramurals fall schedule, 1995 (RG 30.16)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>Snow Football intramural poster, 1995 (RG 30.16)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>Innertube waterpolo intramural poster, 1995 (RG 30.16)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>Co-ed Basketball intramural poster, 1995 (RG 30.16)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/a><\/a><\/a>
In 1950 Ryerson’s first gymnasium was located in a converted garage on Church Street. The space consisted of a spacious gymnasium with lockers and shower facilities, a social\/common room, The Supply Store, a game room, a tuck shop, and a barber shop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Ryerson's](\"https:\/\/library.torontomu.ca\/asc\/files\/RG95_1_CM51_6-600x474.jpg\")
Kerr Hall Gymnasiums<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\nIn the 1964 2 new gymnasiums and a swimming pool opened in the brand new Howard Kerr Hall. The two gymnasiums could be utilized as 3 full sized basketball courts, 9 badminton courts, or 6 volleyball courts. The 23 metre swimming pool was built with 2 one-metre diving boards and a locker room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Construction of Kerr Hall Pool, ca. 1962 (RG 95.1 Howard Kerr Hall)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>Upper Gym in Kerr Hall, ca. 1963 (RG 95.1 Howard Kerr Hall)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nRyerson Athletic Centre<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nOpened in 1987, Ryerson’s unique underground Recreation and Athletics Centre provided 50,000 square feet of new facilities including 7 squash courts, two multipurpose gyms, a fitness training centre, a dance studio, a running track, and shower facilities. Built beneath the Kerr Hall Quadrangle, the two storey centre required a 30 foot excavation to accommodate it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Construction of Ryerson Athletic Centre in Kerr Hall Quad, ca. 1985 (RG 395.40.06)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>Construction of interior of the Ryerson Athletic Centre, ca. 1985 (RG 395.40.06)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>Running track and court in Ryerson Athletic Centre, ca. 1985 (RG 395.40.06)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>Running Track and court in the Ryerson Athletic Centre ca. 1988 (RG 395.40.06)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>Atrium in Ryerson Athletic Centre ca. 1988 (RG 395.40.06)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nMattamy Athletic Centre<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\nThe Mattamy Athletic Centre, previously known as Maple Leaf Gardens, features a second floor fitness centre and a hardwood dance studio. Home of the Ryerson Rams basketball, volleyball, and hockey teams since 2012, the building also houses a full sized ice rink that can accommodate 2500 seated fans, team rooms, and Coca-Cola Court – a multipurpose gym court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eggy the Ram and Carleton the Bear in front of the future Mattamy Athletic Centre, formerly Maple Leaf Gardens (Ryerson Archives digital assets)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>Puck drop by Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the official opening of the Mattamy Athletic Centre, 2012. Photographer: Clifton Li (Ryerson Archives Digital Assets)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>Front cover of the 2012-2013 Ryerson Athletics year in review report (RG 30.116)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nAthletics<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe first sports teams organized at Ryerson in 1948 were men’s hockey, men’s basketball and co-ed swimming, and co-ed equestrian. The men’s hockey team was the first athletics group to compete wearing the blue, gold, and white uniform. In 1949 a women’s hockey team was established and played at Ravina Gardens in High Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ryerson Football program – RIT vs RMC, Saturday October 20, 1962 (RG 30.27)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>Women’s basketball team playing in the old gymnasium, ca. 1957 (RG 95.1 Basketball)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>Men’s Basketball team on the court, ca. 1962. (RG 95.1 Basketball)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>Ryerson Zebras men’s soccer team, ca. 1959 (RG 95.1 Soccer)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nBy 1993, Ryerson Athletics programs were much more developed. The teams competed nationally in the Canadian Inter-university Athletic Union in hockey, basketball, volleyball, soccer and swimming. Other Ryerson sports teams included badminton, fencing, squash, as well as men’s hockey and women’s figure skating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ryerson Athletics and Recreation brochure, ca. 1993 (RG 30.70)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>Ryerson Inter-University Athletics annual report for 1993\/1994 (RG 30.002.001)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>Ryerson Rams Inter-University sports schedules. 1993-1994 (RG 30.002.001)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nIntramurals<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIntramural programs were designed with fun and creation in mind. There were no try-outs or skill requirements to join.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because of a delay in the construction of Ryerson’s gymnasium on Church Street, the Athletics Association was not able to organize extensive intramural programs. By the Fall of 1951 intramural programs for basketball, badminton and volleyball were held in the gym, while hockey, swimming, riding, curling and skiing took place off campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ryerson Riding Club at Whitewood Stables, ca. 1950 (RG 95.1 Clubs)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nBy 1993 over 3000 students participated in 40 different intramural programs. Leagues were divided into women’s, co-ed, and men’s groups and programs included aerobics, innertube water polo and line dancing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ryerson Intramurals fall schedule, 1995 (RG 30.16)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>Snow Football intramural poster, 1995 (RG 30.16)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>Innertube waterpolo intramural poster, 1995 (RG 30.16)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>Co-ed Basketball intramural poster, 1995 (RG 30.16)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/a><\/a><\/a>
Construction of Kerr Hall Pool, ca. 1962 (RG 95.1 Howard Kerr Hall)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> Upper Gym in Kerr Hall, ca. 1963 (RG 95.1 Howard Kerr Hall)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/a><\/a><\/a> <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nRyerson Athletic Centre<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Opened in 1987, Ryerson’s unique underground Recreation and Athletics Centre provided 50,000 square feet of new facilities including 7 squash courts, two multipurpose gyms, a fitness training centre, a dance studio, a running track, and shower facilities. Built beneath the Kerr Hall Quadrangle, the two storey centre required a 30 foot excavation to accommodate it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Construction of Ryerson Athletic Centre in Kerr Hall Quad, ca. 1985 (RG 395.40.06)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> Construction of interior of the Ryerson Athletic Centre, ca. 1985 (RG 395.40.06)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> Running track and court in Ryerson Athletic Centre, ca. 1985 (RG 395.40.06)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> Running Track and court in the Ryerson Athletic Centre ca. 1988 (RG 395.40.06)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> Atrium in Ryerson Athletic Centre ca. 1988 (RG 395.40.06)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/a><\/a><\/a> <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nMattamy Athletic Centre<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The Mattamy Athletic Centre, previously known as Maple Leaf Gardens, features a second floor fitness centre and a hardwood dance studio. Home of the Ryerson Rams basketball, volleyball, and hockey teams since 2012, the building also houses a full sized ice rink that can accommodate 2500 seated fans, team rooms, and Coca-Cola Court – a multipurpose gym court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eggy the Ram and Carleton the Bear in front of the future Mattamy Athletic Centre, formerly Maple Leaf Gardens (Ryerson Archives digital assets)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> Puck drop by Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the official opening of the Mattamy Athletic Centre, 2012. Photographer: Clifton Li (Ryerson Archives Digital Assets)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> Front cover of the 2012-2013 Ryerson Athletics year in review report (RG 30.116)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/a><\/a><\/a> <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nAthletics<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The first sports teams organized at Ryerson in 1948 were men’s hockey, men’s basketball and co-ed swimming, and co-ed equestrian. The men’s hockey team was the first athletics group to compete wearing the blue, gold, and white uniform. In 1949 a women’s hockey team was established and played at Ravina Gardens in High Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ryerson Football program – RIT vs RMC, Saturday October 20, 1962 (RG 30.27)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> Women’s basketball team playing in the old gymnasium, ca. 1957 (RG 95.1 Basketball)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> Men’s Basketball team on the court, ca. 1962. (RG 95.1 Basketball)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> Ryerson Zebras men’s soccer team, ca. 1959 (RG 95.1 Soccer)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/a><\/a><\/a> <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nBy 1993, Ryerson Athletics programs were much more developed. The teams competed nationally in the Canadian Inter-university Athletic Union in hockey, basketball, volleyball, soccer and swimming. Other Ryerson sports teams included badminton, fencing, squash, as well as men’s hockey and women’s figure skating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ryerson Athletics and Recreation brochure, ca. 1993 (RG 30.70)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> Ryerson Inter-University Athletics annual report for 1993\/1994 (RG 30.002.001)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> Ryerson Rams Inter-University sports schedules. 1993-1994 (RG 30.002.001)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> <\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nIntramurals<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Intramural programs were designed with fun and creation in mind. There were no try-outs or skill requirements to join.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because of a delay in the construction of Ryerson’s gymnasium on Church Street, the Athletics Association was not able to organize extensive intramural programs. By the Fall of 1951 intramural programs for basketball, badminton and volleyball were held in the gym, while hockey, swimming, riding, curling and skiing took place off campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ryerson Riding Club at Whitewood Stables, ca. 1950 (RG 95.1 Clubs)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n By 1993 over 3000 students participated in 40 different intramural programs. Leagues were divided into women’s, co-ed, and men’s groups and programs included aerobics, innertube water polo and line dancing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ryerson Intramurals fall schedule, 1995 (RG 30.16)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> Snow Football intramural poster, 1995 (RG 30.16)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> Innertube waterpolo intramural poster, 1995 (RG 30.16)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> Co-ed Basketball intramural poster, 1995 (RG 30.16)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/a><\/a><\/a>
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<\/figure><\/li><\/ul>![\"Ryerson](\"https:\/\/library.torontomu.ca\/asc\/files\/RG95_01_Athletics_50-2-600x490.jpg\")
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