Here’s what will define success for a new year of student athletics
Whatever way you want to keep score, 2025-26 was a great year for NAIT athletics.
The polytechnic hosted a national volleyball championship for the first time ever. The gymnasium underwent a long-overdue renovation. And Ooks participated in playoffs in all 10 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) sports.
Athletics and recreation director Jordan Richey is convinced this year could be just as good.
“It's always exciting when you have new student-athletes come in,” he says. From what he’s seen so far (soccer has already started and other teams are practising) “the talent is there.”
In talking about talent, Richey could just as well be referring to the staff behind the scenes. Throughout 2025-26, they’ll stickhandle the type of events that make each year as memorable as the last. Here’s a preview of what’s sure to make the highlight reels in the months to come.
Repeat performance: Hosting the national men’s soccer championship
After mere months of recovery since bringing the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) men’s volleyball championship to campus last March, NAIT is ready to mount another national event. From Nov. 11 - 14, Richey’s team, supported by staff from across the polytechnic, will host the national men’s soccer championship.
“The CCAA keeps joking with us: ‘You guys are experts at hosting national championships,’” he says. “We like that reputation.”
While games will play indoors at the Edmonton Soccer Dome, banquets and recognition events will take place at NAIT’s Main Campus. Seven other teams from across Canada will attend, with the men’s Ooks entered as the host. Watch this spot for tickets soon.
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New blood: Former Ook signs on as men’s hockey coach
Past Ooks defensemen Ty Valin is back with the men's hockey team after a stint as assistant coach for the 2016-17 season. As head coach, Valin picks up where Scott Fellnermayr (Bachelor of Business Administration – Management ’15) leaves off after moving on to coach the Sherwood Park Crusaders. Fellnermayr served with the Ooks for nine seasons.
“It'll be a bit of a learning curve for the team,” says Richey. “It's going to be interesting to see how the coaching styles are different.”
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Setting the pace: Cross-country racing returns to NAIT
For the first time since rejoining ACAC X-country running in 2023-24, NAIT will host one of the season’s four major races leading up to the fall ACAC and CCAA championships. On Sept. 5, runners from 14 Alberta schools will meet in Edmonton’s river valley Goldstick Park for a six-kilometre women’s course and an eight-km men’s course.
NAIT runners last won provincial X-country titles in 1992-93, sweeping the men and women’s individual events.
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Opening doors: Improving access to the Ooks
As part of campus-wide accessibility improvements currently underway, NAIT’s Facilities Management and Development retrofitted the gymnasium with barrier-free doors this summer. For those who need assistance, the new fire-rated entrance will open with a wave at a sensor or the push of a button.
“On the weekends we have 1,000 people come through those doors to watch the Ooks play,” says Richey. “Everybody should have easy access to our games.”
More than the score: Defining success for the 2026-27 Ooks
Richey knows winning is important – it’s what puts fans in the stands. But just as he didn’t count the medal count (14 provincially and nationally) among last year’s notable achievements, it’s still not his go-to signifier of success.
Instead, Richey looks to other numbers, such as grade point average, which was an impressive 3.3 out of four in 2025-26. Nine Ooks were recognized as CCAA Academic All-Canadians, or students-athletes who earn academic honours while excelling in their sport.
“Success in our program means all teams having success on the court or ice or field and in the classroom,” he says. “And that they say they had a good experience.”
If a few new banners end up on those recently renovated gymnasium walls along the way, all the better.
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NAIT Ooks home openers
Cheer on the Ooks at their first home games! NAIT students and staff attend for free, otherwise tickets are available online.
- Cross-country Grand Prix 1 • Saturday, Sept. 5
- Golf Regional #1 • Saturday, Sept. 12 - Monday Sept. 14
- Women's hockey vs Medicine Hat College • Friday, Oct. 2 • 6 p.m.
- Women's volleyball vs Olds College • Saturday, Oct. 17 • 6 p.m.
- Men's hockey vs Portage College • Saturday, Oct. 17 • 6 p.m.
- Men's volleyball vs Olds College • Saturday, Oct. 17 • 8 p.m.
- Women's basketball vs St. Mary’s University • Friday, Oct. 30 • 6 p.m.
- Men's basketball vs St. Mary’s University • Friday, Oct. 30 • 8 p.m.
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