Back in the day -- 2005 -- SFU's Jason Marshall (Carson Graham, left) and UBC's Blake Smelser (Burnaby Central) were duelling pivots promoting the Shrum Bowl. (Photo -- SFU Athletics)
Feature University Football

Shrum Bowl drought hits record seven straight years as UBC, SFU release 2017 schedules

If you’re a passionate believer in the importance of B.C.’s annual crosstown university football rivalry, you’re no doubt thirsty for the return of the Shrum Bowl.

As a Kelowna Owl in March of 2016, new UBC Thunderbird recruit Grant Shephard smooched with the tournament MVP trophy. (Richard Lam, UBC athletics)
Feature University Men's Basketball

UBC gets Grant the Great! Kelowna’s Quad-A MVP Grant Shephard chooses ‘Birds

(This is a complete write-through of the earlier story Varsity Letters broke on UBC’s signing of former Kelowna Owls basketball star Grant Shephard. There’s more quotes from all concerned including Shephard’s former high school coach Harry Parmar, and additional reporting on the impact his arrival could have on the program)VANCOUVER — Even after an inglorious end to its 2016-17 U Sports […]

Five of the top five finishers in the 2014 B.C. high school senior girls 800-metre final would end up running at Simon Fraser. They are Miryam Bassett (far left), Alana Mussatto (second left), Jasmine Gill (second right) and Sophie Dodd (kneeling). Also pictured: former-Grade 11 Addy Townsend (centre). (Photo courtesy Vid Wadhwani)
Feature University Track and Field

Howie’s Big 5 weekend takeaways: SFU’s Addy and Vlad, UBC’s diamond days

The spring season in university sports circles is now in full flight.Here’s our look at five takeaways from the weekend.TALENT GALOREAs I study the continued success of Simon Fraser women’s middle distance running, I’m reminded of a story I wrote in June of 2014, in the aftermath of that season’s Subway B.C. high school track […]

Fleetwood Park Dragons' Katrina Frankenberger (centre) is congratulated by teammate Jenieva Musico (12) after scoring game winner in 1-0 championship final victory over crosstown rival Panorama Ridge at Thunderbird Stadium. (Rich Lam/UBC Athletics)
Feature High School Girls Soccer

Fleetwood Park ready for a repeat run? Surrey’s Dragons open season with UBC Classic title

VANCOUVER — The defending B.C. champs felt their share of loss through graduation, but Surrey’s Fleetwood Park Dragons are showing just how quickly their chemistry and camaraderie has come together.The Dragons created numerous scoring opportunities Friday in the championship final of UBC’s inaugural Kick-Off Classic at Thunderbird Stadium, in the end topping its crosstown rivals, […]

UBC's Sydney Jennings (centre) will get a chance to watch her former high school team, the Kitsilano Blue Demons, when the 'Birds host the inaugural Kick-Off Classic high school soccer tourney Thursday and Friday. (Richard Lam/UBC athletics)
Feature High School Girls Soccer

Kick-Off Classic: Girls high school soccer opens with showcase tourney at UBC

VANCOUVER — To the masses, the annual opening of the B.C. girls high school soccer has seemed to be nothing more than a rumour.