Ridgeback Spirit Dog logo

What is a Ridgeback?

ridge•back  /'rijbak/ 

A Ridgeback is a dog that is powerful, loyal, tenacious and focused, and embodies our university’s identity. Our faithful mascot—Hunter—is a Ridgeback who represents our 250+ varsity student-athletes, and intramural and extramural teams, as well as everyone that steps foot on our campus to learn.

What makes YOU a Ridgeback?

Varsity teams

  • Badminton
  • Basketball
  • Curling
  • Dance
  • Golf
  • Ice hockey
  • Lacrosse*
  • Rowing
  • Soccer

Intramurals

  • Badminton
  • Basketball
  • Cricket
  • Dodgeball
  • Esports
  • Flag football
  • Floorball hockey
  • Ice hockey
  • Soccer
  • Volleyball

Extramurals

  • Cricket**
  • Ice hockey
  • Volleyball

Sports clubs***

  • Cricket
  • Dance
  • Equestrian
  • Ultimate frisbee
*Currently only offered as a women’s team.
**Currently only offered as a men’s team.
***Sports clubs are subject to change every year.
Hunter the Ridgeback mascot
sports offered at the varsity level
students register for intramural programming each year
Top 10
men's soccer and basketball programs ranks top 10 nationally
Three-time award recipient for the OUA’s mascot of the year

About athletics and recreation

What it means to be a Ridgeback


Health and wellness services


  • Athletic facilities
  • Chiropractors
  • Counsellors
  • Fitness classes
  • Gym membership
  • Health insurance plan
  • Health promotion events and workshops
  • Ice skating
  • Indoor running track
  • Massage therapists
  • Medical doctors
  • Mental health counsellors
  • Mood walks
  • Online webinars
  • Peer Wellness Education Team
  • Personal training
  • Pharmacy
  • Self-defence classes
  • Support groups
  • Wellness walks

1000+ group fitness classes every year

We compete

Athletics and recreation
Our 8,400-square-metre, fully-equipped Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre offers a gym membership, fitness programs, recreational leagues and more. If you’re looking for a little competition, our Ridgebacks’ teams contend at all levels. Other on-campus activities range from yoga, pilates, boot camps and spin classes, to personal training, sports clubs, intramurals and extramurals. We’ve got something healthy for everybody.