Athletics & Recreation
Where excellence, well-being and community come together.
Athletics & Recreation (A&R) is a cornerstone of the McGill experience – fueling leadership, resilience, wellness and lifelong connection for students of all abilities.
For over 150 years, sport and physical activity have been woven into the fabric of university life. In fact, McGill was home to Canada’s first intercollegiate teams in football, rugby, hockey, swimming and basketball.
Today, A&R programs reach thousands of McGill students every year, from varsity athletes and intramural players to users of the B2 Gym and recreation and wellness programs.
Whether competing at the highest level or discovering movement for the first time, students find belonging, balance and confidence through A&R.
Fueled by a renewed commitment to excellence, access and well-being, McGill is investing in the next chapter of A&R – enhancing facilities, coaching, training and wellness programs so every student can thrive.
Join us in building the future of Athletics & Recreation.
Advancing wellness for every student
Healthy habits are essential to academic success, mental health and lifelong well-being. That’s why McGill is building a comprehensive, inclusive wellness ecosystem – supporting varsity athletes while benefiting the broader student community.
With your support, McGill will:
- Expand recreational programs that encourage movement and well-being for all students
- Deliver safe sport workshops and seminars that promote respectful, inclusive environments
- Advance leading-edge research in concussion prevention, sport nutrition, sleep and athletic performance
Empowering student-athletes to excel
Over more than 150 years, McGill student-athletes, alumni and coaches have left an extraordinary mark on the world stage:
- 125+ Olympians earning a combined 34 Olympic medals, including 12 gold
- 65 CFL players and coaches
- 11 NHL and three NFL players, including two Super Bowl champions
This legacy of excellence inspires today’s student-athletes, and drives McGill’s vision for the future. Top student-athletes choose universities where they can succeed academically and athletically. Financial support plays a critical role. With your support, McGill will:
- Increase athletics awards to recruit and retain outstanding student-athletes
- Launch a Road to Excellence Fund, allowing A&R to seize strategic opportunities that elevate teams to the next level
- Provide holistic wellness support to student-athletes, with a focus on women and underserved communities, through initiatives like the groundbreaking Women in Sport program
- Create a career advancement fund to support student-athletes as they transition from sport to meaningful careers
Elevating leadership and coaching
Exceptional coaching changes lives. It shapes performance, confidence and character, both on and off the field. High‑performance sport requires sustained investment in coaching, training and student‑athlete development.
With your support, McGill will:
- Create new named and endowed coaching positions to attract and retain top talent
- Establish a professional development fund that supports ongoing training, mentorship, and leadership growth – building a strong pipeline of future coaches to support McGill student-athletes
