The Bisons men’s and women’s teams participated in different competitions in the 2024-25 season.
For Bisons volleyball, the women’s team made a major mark by winning their first national title in 11 years, defeating the Montreal Carabins 3-1 (25-20, 25-19, 24-26, 25-16). The Bisons delivered an impressive offensive display, hitting .357 compared to the Carabins’ .184.
Athletes Raya Surinx, Katreena Bentley, and Light Uchechukwu played a notable game for the Bisons. Surinx had 23 kills, 10 digs and a .400 efficiency, Bentley recorded 47 assists, and Uchechukwu came through with 11 kills and 10 digs.
Following her remarkable performance, Surinx emerged U-Sports Player of the Year for the second consecutive time. Surinx and Jackson Tachinski claimed Bisons Sports Athletes of the Year. Additionally, Surinx has been named to Canada’s Senior National Team for the Volleyball Nations League. The Bisons women’s volleyball coach Ken Bentley was honoured as Bisons Coach of the Year.
In the basketball competition, the Bisons men’s team secured a 70-67 win over the Thompson Rivers WolfPack in the Canada West championship quarter-final game. Athletes Mason Kraus, Tito Obasoto, Darren Watts, Manyang Tong, and Cieran O’Hara represented the Bisons in the quarter-final game.
However, the team was defeated 79-87 by the British Columbia Thunderbirds in the championship semifinals. The Bisons later lost 85-97 to Victoria Vikes in the bronze medal game.
Despite the tough finish, Kraus was named Canada West First Team All-Star. A consistent presence on the court, Kraus has been a regular starter for the Bisons since his first season in 2021-22.
The Bisons men’s football team qualified for Canada West semifinals after recording a 51-38 win against the UBC Thunderbirds. In the semifinal game, the Bisons lost 25-28 to the Regina Rams.
Athletes Jackson Tachinski and Giordano Vaccaro, as well as head coach Brian Dobie were recognized by Canada West for their individual efforts.
Tachinski was named Player of the Year, Vaccaro earned Lineman of the Year, and Dobie received the Coach of the Year award. This marked the first time since 2015 that three Bisons football team members had received Canada West major honours.
Also, Maya Turner became the first-ever woman in U-Sports history to be named a Canada West All-Star. Following the retirement of Dobie, Stan Pierre has been named head coach of the Bisons football team.
The Bisons women’s soccer team completed the last season with a 1-1 draw against the Regina Cougars.
Before the start of that match, athletes Jessica Tsai, Camila Goldsztein, Janelle Chomini and Alexandria Paul were honoured for their respective performances. Before the final game, the Bisons drew 2-2 with the Winnipeg Wesmen and played a goalless draw against the Saskatchewan Huskies.
Tsai had 121 career shots on goal and was included in the Canada West Second Team All-Star. Meanwhile, Nyema Prentice-Whyte earned a spot on the U-Sports All-Rookie team.
Mark Colvin has been appointed the new head coach of the Bison’s women’s soccer team for the upcoming season. Colvin has over ten years’ experience in coaching, including three years of coaching abroad in Sweden, and holds a UEFA A license from the Scottish FA.
