Panda Game

Panda Game. The Panda Game is an annual Canadian football rivalry game contested between the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees and the Carleton University Ravens. Held at TD Place Stadium in Ottawa, the event is a major highlight of the Ontario University Athletics football schedule and one of the most anticipated sporting events in the Canadian capital. The game's namesake trophy, Pedro the Panda, is awarded to the winning institution, fostering a deep and spirited rivalry that extends beyond the gridiron into campus culture and city-wide engagement.

History

The tradition began in 1955, initiated by the University of Ottawa Students' Union and Carleton University Students' Association to foster school spirit. The early contests were played at Lansdowne Park, the historic sporting grounds that preceded the modern TD Place Stadium. After a 15-year hiatus following Carleton University's discontinuation of its football program in 1998, the rivalry was dramatically revived in 2013. This revival was spurred by the return of Carleton Ravens football and has since grown into a massive event, consistently drawing crowds of over 20,000 spectators. The game's history is marked by its resilience, surviving the program's cancellation and returning to become a premier event in U Sports football.

Game details

The matchup is scheduled annually during the Ontario University Athletics regular season, typically in early October. It is governed by standard Canadian football rules as sanctioned by U Sports. The contest is a critical conference game, with implications for the standings and playoff seeding in the OUA. Preparation involves intense training camps and strategy sessions by coaching staffs, including notable figures like Steve Sumarah and Jean-Philippe Asselin. The operational success of the large-scale event is a collaboration between the universities, Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group, and the City of Ottawa.

Rivalry and traditions

The rivalry encapsulates the broader academic and geographic competition between the two Ottawa-based institutions. Key traditions include massive student pep rallies, the painting of the Panda Game logo on campus landmarks, and spirited marches to the stadium. The week leading up to the contest, known as "Panda Week," features various events organized by the University of Ottawa Students' Union and Carleton University Students' Association. The atmosphere inside TD Place Stadium is famously electric, with coordinated cheers, elaborate signs, and a sea of Garnet and Grey for University of Ottawa and Black and Red for Carleton University.

Notable games

Several editions have become legendary for their dramatic conclusions. The 2016 game saw the Carleton Ravens win on a last-second Hail Mary pass from quarterback Jesse Mills to receiver Nate Behar, a play immortalized in rivalry lore. The 2019 contest featured a record attendance and a high-scoring overtime victory for the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees. The 2023 matchup was another classic, decided by a last-minute field goal. These memorable contests are frequently highlighted in broadcasts by TSN and covered extensively by media like the Ottawa Citizen and CFRA.

Trophy

The victor claims custody of Pedro the Panda, a stuffed giant panda trophy. The original Pedro was introduced in the rivalry's early years but went missing in the 1990s, becoming a subject of campus myth. A new trophy was commissioned upon the game's revival in 2013. The presentation of Pedro the Panda at midfield following the game is the event's iconic climax, with players and students celebrating fervently. The trophy's design and the accompanying Governor General's Cup for the women's rugby football match underscore the event's unique place in Canadian university athletics.

Category:Canadian football competitions Category:Sports in Ottawa Category:University sport in Canada