You would have been hard pressed to find a better game in town on Wednesday evening than the fifth annual MBNA Capital Hoops Classic.  Both the Gee-Gees and Ravens Women’s and Men’s Basketball teams played so well, providing many memorable moments that added fuel to this fiery cross-town rivalry!

In the end, the Carleton University Ravens women’s basketball team captured its fourth straight MBNA Capital Hoops Classic title in a 71-63 victory. The Gee-Gees put up a great fight, pushing the game into double overtime. Congratulations to the Gee-Gees’ very own Jenna Gilbert who earned the title of top scorer with a total of 17 points! The Carleton University Ravens men's basketball team also claimed a victory with a 78-65 score over the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees, but it was not an easy claim. Gee-Gees’ Warren Ward was a top scorer with 22 points and 10 rebounds! Congratulations Warren.

It was a great evening with both the uOttawa Gee-Gees and Carleton Ravens demonstrating their talent, skill and fairness on and off the court. It was also a lot of fun for the players, the coaches and the fans. I hope you can join me next year. I lost my friendly wager with Roseann Runte this year, but she’ll be wearing a Gee-Gees jersey in 2012!

I wanted to welcome everyone back to the University for the start of the Winter session. I hope that the holidays were a relaxing time for you, a time to catch up with family and friends.

While a change from the fast pace of life as a student is always welcome, I know that it can also be good to return to uOttawa and reconnect with the community we have formed here on campus.

I want to wish you all the best for this session. May it be an enriching one for you, both academically and personally.