UQTR Patriotes

History

The beginnings

By 1969, the same way the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières was a coherent progression Centre University Studies. "Patriots" pursued with energy and pride sporting activities initiated by the "Black and Gold". The rector at the time, Gilles Boulet, we can call the "Father of Patriots," is the one who believed in the importance of sport as a complement to academic life.

The name and logo of the Patriots In April 1970, through a competition organized within the student community, the denominative "Patriots" is assigned to teams UQTR. Suggested by Gérald Baril, history student and hockey player, the current name was chosen because of its sense of rallying, dynamism and commitment to the environment. Importantly, October 70, the name of the teams was questioned, as well as the political grouping. However, President Gilles Boulet insists on keeping the name chosen by focusing on the definition we gave the word. According to the dictionary, a patriot is "one who loves his community and makes every effort to improve it," which showed all expectations and ambition that had the team leaders of our young university.

UQTR is the regional university, it was decided to assign colors to the Patriots wore the Mauricie Quebec Games, that is to say, blue, orange and white. In 1976, the Université du Québec allocated a different color to each university network. Thus gradually the blue uniform of the Patriots became green. White and orange, showing the energy and vivacity teams are kept to support the green. The acronym "P" stylized, is a work of Pierre Rivard, art teacher. Proudly worn by various players, it contains an angle, start symbol of strength, determination and the future, which gives an effect of perpetual motion. Between 1970 and 1979, a mascot Yé'Pat joins the Patriots to entertain spectators. She takes the time typical uniform of a patriot.

The evolution and highlights of sports UQTR Since 1970, teams and representatives joining the Patriots, coordinated by Jean-François Grenier, Ottawa St. Lawrence intercollegiate athletic association and become actively present on both the provincial and national levels. Then when it was created, they integrate the University Athletic Association of Quebec. In 1972, to celebrate the work of student-athletes, the sports awards were instituted to reward athletes being more aware of the illustrated last year. Already in 1975, thanks to the generosity of the community, the efforts and dedication of leaders, some teams did well in various competitions. Thus, five years after their debut, the men's hockey team reached the forefront of the "Top Ten" of Canada. Since then, the Patriots appear regularly in the top 10 in the country's hockey.

In the early 80's, in a financial crisis, the direction of the Patriots faces difficult choices if they wish to continue to develop and grow the potential of sports teams UQTR. Thus, to ensure the sustainability of other teams, some sports have been interrupted.

In 1984, following the performance of teams invited at the Canadian university hockey championship organized and presented by UQTR direction UQTR entrusted to Jean-François Grenier the task of forming a committee. The mandate would be to study the problem of inter-university sports program on the provincial level and competitive Canada. Chaired by Professor André Quirion one of the recommendations of this committee was to give the status of hockey excellence and to allocate the necessary resources including hiring a full-time coach.

To promote the sport, we undertook the construction of the Centre for Physical Activity and Sport (CAPS) including new sports facilities were ready to welcome athletes from April 1995. The Olympic-size swimming pool housed in the new CAPS helped form the following year, the first swim team UQTR.

The teams the Patriots were host several major sporting events. Among other things, we organized hockey championship 1984, outdoor soccer championship in 1995 and the Provincial Championship Swim in 2008.

Over the years, many people have worked and contributed to the development of sports teams as we know them today. Since its inception, the Department of Physical Activity and Sport has been under the leadership of four directors is Jean-François Grenier, Yvon Lamarche, Raymond Tellier and Michel Morin.

Tracking of different sports over time

Over the years, representing several sports teams competed under the colors of UQTR. At its inception, the Patriots had four sports in its alignments is to say football until 1979, the men's basketball until 1985, until 1984 women's basketball and hockey men who managed to transcend all these years.

Subsequently, several sports have joined the ranks of the patriots whose men's soccer in 1976, women's soccer in 1986, swimming in 1996 and golf in 2000. Finally, there were women's hockey at UQTR between 1990 and 2003, like many other sports clubs, including skiing, rugby, volleyball, badminton, athletics and cross-country.

Since their inception, the teams have distinguished themselves. The men's hockey team was national champion in 1987, 1991, 2001 and 2003. The men's soccer won provincial championships in 1995 and 2001 championships interior in 2000, 2003, 2006 and 2007. Swimming and golf, many athletes have excelled and achieved significant performance has contributed to the recognition of the Patriots. In 2007, the golf team had its best result with a second place on the circuit Quebec. Since 1997, several members of the swim team were medalists at the Canadian championships. In addition, some former Patriots have evolved in sports structures at provincial, Canadian and international as well as player, coach or manager.

For 40 years, the sport UQTR has acquired a reputation that allows it to attract student-athletes from all regions of Quebec and elsewhere. The Patriots have become, for many of them, motivation to pursue and obtain a degree. They united and energized the campus UQTR with the support of the university community. Their achievements arising from the work of qualified coaches, supporters and followers of builders who believed in their potential. University as a sports program allows the Patriots radiation UQTR, Trois-Rivières and students across Canada.