Windsor Lancers

For over 50 years, Purple Raider/Lancer Athletics has developed into one of the premier interuniversity athletic programs in Canada. Our rich tradition at the University of Windsor can be attributed to all of our dedicated student-athletes, coaches, administration and friends who have helped to make the program what it is today.
 
In 1952, Assumption College, under the leadership of Father Hussey as Moderator of Athletics and Dr. Frank DeMarco as Intercollegiate and Intramural Director, joined the Ontario-Quebec Athletic Association (OQAA). Under their leadership, and the leadership of Dr. Richard Moriarty, the department’s first Athletic Director, Assumption’s athletics program blossomed, and as a result our intercollegiate teams were born at a rate of nearly one per year.
 
Prior to joining the OQAA, the history of Purple Raider/Lancer Athletics can be traced as far back as the early 1900’s when basketball and football teams at Assumption College competed against colleges from Detroit in friendly scrimmages.
 
In 1960-61, women’s sports arrived on campus under the leadership of Sis Thompson. Coach Thompson initially coached the women’s basketball team before moving over to volleyball and leading the women to their first provincial championship in 1967.