Vernon quarterback Thomas Hyett (right, 3) commands the huddle like the veteran he is after making a positional switch in 10th grade for the good of the team. (Photo by Howard Tsumura property of VarsityLetters.ca 2018. All Rights Reserved)
Feature High School Football University Football

The Ben Hladik Effect: Bar of excellence set by UBC’s brilliant linebacker resonates as Vernon Panthers return to Subway Bowl final

Two seasons after he left on a journey to become one of the elite defensive players in all of Canadian university football, his lasting impact continues to reverberate through the football program Vernon Secondary. So much so that the best way to describe its impact on his high school alma mater is to simply call it […]

UBC Thunderbirds freshman Thomas Gardner in the first player in the history of Canada West men's soccer to win Top Rookie and Player of the Year in the same season. (Photo by Richard Lam property of UBC athletics)
Feature University Men's Soccer

As UBC hosts U Sports 2018 Soccer Nationals, rookie sensation Gardner embraces his new Thunderbird life on a road less traveled

VANCOUVER — Maybe the highest compliment you can pay Thomas Gardner is to say that, whether your soccer eye is completely untrained or of connoisseur class, you simply have to watch him play to love his game.

UBC's All-Canadian safety Stavros Katsantonis played his usual hard-hitting game, here tackling Saskatchewan's Tyler Chow. (Photo by Howard Tsumura property of VarsityLetters.ca)
Feature University Football

Football ‘Birds unravel late in Hardy Cup semi final loss, coach Nill knows UBC “…is going to be a totally different team next year”

VANCOUVER — When it comes to advancing to the Canada West’s Hardy Cup conference championship, it’s almost felt like the UBC Thunderbirds have been protected by some sort of invisible force field since head coach Blake Nill rolled into town back in 2015.And with just over a minute left in the conference semifinal Saturday, with […]

NCAA coaches taking part in the inaugural Vancouver Showcase are not only excited about visiting the city, but about its prospects as a home base for the top level of collegiate and university competition. (Graphic courtesy Vancouver Showcase)
Latest 'Birds recruit Olivia Morgan-Cherchas came together with UBC head coach Deb Huband after the South Kam product signed up for university career Saturday with the Blue and Gold. (Photo by Jeff Sargeant property of UBC athletics)
UBC Thunderbirds quarterback Michael O'Connor hands the ball off agains the Manitoba Bisons', Saturday, October 27, 2018. (Trevor Hagan / Manitoba Bisons)
Feature University Football

UBC football: After falling behind by 21 on two occasions, miracle comeback carries ‘Birds past Bisons and to home playoff date

The only way the football gods could have spelled things out any simpler for the UBC Thunderbirds on the final weekend of the Canada West regular season would have been for them to grab a crayon and write the three key words in big, bold lettering.‘Just Win, Baby’Just win and their rise from last place […]

UBC's second-year forward Madison Legault and the rest of the improving Thunderbirds open the 2018-19 Canada West regular season Friday at home to the Saskatchewan Huskies. (Photo by Richard Lam property of UBC athletics)
Feature University Women's Basketball

UBC women’s basketball: On eve of 2018-19 season-opener, ‘Birds head coach Huband see a talented core set for “a coming of age”

VANCOUVER — The best way to describe just how close last season’s youthful UBC Thunderbirds’ women’s basketball team came to achieving a breakthrough campaign would be to imagine longtime head coach Deb Huband holding up a hand with her thumb and index finger about an inch apart.

(Photo by Bob Frid property of UBC athletics) (Photo by Bob Frid property of UBC athletics)
Feature University Football

Mike and Trivel: UBC’s dynamic duo of O’Connor and Pinto forge pure magic as ‘Birds top Alberta to secure playoff berth

VANCOUVER — Over the four seasons in which they have turned home games on the Point Grey campus into appointment viewing, the UBC Thunderbirds football team’s national success has introduced a wave of star players to the growing fan base of the blue-and-gold.

As part of a night in which he pieced together 267 all-purpose yards, UBC's Trivel Pinto vaults over Saskatchewan kicker Sean Stenger. (Photo by Richard Lam property of UBC athletics)
Feature University Football

UBC football’s amazing rise: Win over Huskies sees ‘Birds vault from last place to second place in just one game

VANCOUVER — Excuse the UBC Thunderbirds for feeling a little on the light-headed side as they get out of bed Saturday morning and ponder their place in the Canada West football world.

After a rather anonymous start to his post-secondary soccer career, North Vancouver's Kristian Yli-Hietanen (left) has risen to the upper reaches of the Canada West's goal-scoring class as a fourth-year striker with the UBC Thunderbirds.