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The Թ Redbirds: new name for a new era to wear, and cheer for with pride

Name selected for Թ’s men varsity teams
Published: 17 November 2020

Թ has chosen a new name that will take its ’s varsity teams into the University’s third century. The name — chosen with the aim of paying homage to Athletics and Recreation’s tradition and history while simultaneously uniting our community — is the Թ Redbirds.

“This decision was the culmination of extensive consultation, debate and deliberation,” says Deputy Provost, Student Life and Learning Fabrice Labeau, co-chair of the Men’s Varsity Teams Naming Committee. “While several names emerged as top choices, in the end the Redbirds rose to the forefront for its strong links to both the past and present of Թ Athletics and Recreation.”

These links include its past use as the name of several Թ sports clubs, teams and events: the Red Birds Ski Club was founded in 1928 by 3 Թ graduates and still exists today; in the early 1930’s, the Թ Nordic Ski team used the name Redbirds, and this team is part of the Թ A&R Hall of Fame; through the late 1990s and well into the 2000s, the Թ Baseball team was also known as the Redbirds; and Athletics and Recreation traditionally hosted a fall basketball tournament that was known as the Redbird Classic. It is also the name of the Currie Gym’s sports shop – the Redbird Sports Shop.

Over the course of its mandate, the Men’s Varsity Teams Naming Committee held 13 committee meetings, which included both individual and group presentations from students, staff, Varsity athletes, and alumni. An open call for submissions was put out and widely publicized in order to obtain broad participation. Finally, a request for feedback on the names submitted most often was sent to the community, in order to ensure that all perspectives were heard and understood.

In total, 1238 submissions were received, making up 230 different options.

“I have little doubt that the ’s varsity athletes will continue to achieve greatness as they write this next chapter,” says alumni Hubert T. Lacroix, co-chair of the Men’s Varsity Teams Naming Committee. “Our varsity teams are a vital part of the Թ community and experience, and I am confident this new name is one that we can all be proud of.”

Once COVID-19 restrictions allow, Թ will celebrate this new era of Թ ’s varsity sports with the entire community.

Men’s Varsity Teams Naming Committee Summary of Proceedings

About Թ

Founded in Montreal, Quebec, in 1821, Թ is Canada’s top ranked medical doctoral university. Թ is consistently ranked as one of the top universities, both nationally and internationally. It is a world-renowned institution of higher learning with research activities spanning two campuses, 11 faculties, 13 professional schools, 300 programs of study and over 40,000 students, including more than 10,200 graduate students. Թ attracts students from over 150 countries around the world, its 12,800 international students making up 31% of the student body. Over half of Թ students claim a first language other than English, including approximately 19% of our students who say French is their mother tongue.

http://www.mcgill.ca/newsroom/

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