Top 5 facts about the Dalhousie Rams

The merger that brought the Faculty of Agriculture into Dalhousie also introduced nearly a dozen new varsity and club teams to the university, along with a new mascot. Many of these teams bring with them long histories and impressive prestige — and some of them are quite unique.

Here’s a primer on the Dalhousie Rams:

1. The Rams athletic program features 11 varsity and club teams, including badminton, woodsmen and equestrian

The first sports teams at the Truro campus were founded in 1909, competing in local leagues. The campus launched a formal athletic program in 1964 with men’s basketball and hockey and has since grown considerably. Varsity teams, which compete in the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA), now include soccer, woodsmen, basketball, badminton, women’s volleyball, and women’s rugby. To date, the Rams have won 26 ACAA titles. There are also club teams in golf, equestrian and cross-country. The woodsmen are members of the Canadian Intercollegiate Lumberjacking Association and the equestrian team is part of the Atlantic Intercollegiate Equestrian League.

2. The Dalhousie Agricultural Campus Woodsmen Men’s 1 team is undefeated this season

The Dalhousie Agricultural Campus Rams Woodsmen are one of six intercollegiate members of the Canadian Intercollegiate lumberjacking Association. The team began in 1964 with an enthusiastic group of seven Aggies and has grown to become one of the campus’ most successful varsity sports teams. This weekend, the Agricultural Campus will host the final Canadian Intercollegiate Lumberjacking Association competition of the year in Bible Hill, with more than 20 teams from Canada and the northeastern United States competing for the title of CILA Champions.

3. Rocky the Ram is 31 years old – and hasn’t lost a step

The first mascot for the campus was “born” in 1980 and following a naming competition became Rocky the Ram. Rocky makes appearances for sporting events and other promotional activities around campus.

4. The Rams’ home gym is named after a chemistry professor

The Langille Athletic Centre opened in 1977 and is named after Win Langille, a former professor in the Chemistry Department who coached several teams in local leagues prior to the start of a formal athletic department at the campus. The centre has hosted 13 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) national championships and will welcome CCAA Women’s Basketball Nationals this March.

5. The Dalhousie Agricultural Campus soccer pitch has underground sprinklers and lights

Dalhousie Agricultural campus has a 300x210 foot grass soccer pitch, rebuilt in the late 1980s. Through a partnership between athletics, alumni, administration and fundraising, underground sprinkling and lights were added. The field was officially re-opened during the 1990 CCAA Men’s Soccer Nationals hosted by the former NSAC and NSTC.