LENNOXVILLE, Que. – For the first time the Bishop's University Department of Athletics will host a celebration of women in sport.  Kate Beirness of TSN will headline the event with a keynote speech on Saturday afternoon.
 
All four Bishop's Gaiters female teams will also be in action in Lennoxville.
 
Schedule open to the public
Friday, Sept. 20
6 p.m. – Gaiters women's soccer vs. UQTR on Coulter Field
 
Saturday, Sept. 21
11:45 a.m. – Wall of Distinction Unveiling in the John H. Price Sports & Recreation Centre
1 p.m. – Gaiters women's rugby vs. Concordia on Coulter Field
2:30 p.m. – Gaiters women's hockey vs. Stanstead College in the Jane and Eric Molson Arena
4:45 p.m. – Keynote speech by Kate Beirness (TSN Sportscaster) in Denver Gymnasium
7 p.m. – Gaiters women's basketball vs. Ste. Foy in Mitchell Gymnasium
 
Wall of Distinction
Three former female athletes will be inducted into the school's Wall of Distinction as part of the celebration. Kim Hubner (Bonnell), Erin Patrick and Alison Murdoch make up the class of 2019.  The complete release is available here.
 
Kate Beirness
Since the summer of 2013, Beirness has anchored the morning loop edition of SportsCentre. The following year she was paired with co-host Natasha Staniszewski forming SportsCentre's first ever female anchor team. She has recently been a back fill host for the Social on CTV and has appeared on a number of Bell Media affiliates such as CP24, BNN and CTV News Channel.
 
Symposium
The event will also feature a symposium on Saturday morning for all current Gaiter student-athletes and invited alumni.  Four speakers will shed light on various relevant topics.  The speakers include Paralympian Nicole Clermont, nutritionist Emilie Richard and international multi-sport athlete Laura Crack who is also a Bishop's Alumnus.
 
Clare Webb, Event Coordinator

Women's Soccer
Friday
The Gaiters (1-4-1) will host the UQTR Patriotes (1-3-1) on Friday at 6 p.m. on Coulter Field. Bishop's is coming off a 2-2 draw with the Sherbrooke Vert et Or on Sunday, while UQTR lost 5-0 to Montreal.
 
Bishop's is 0-8-4 against UQTR since 2013 including a pair of losses to the Patriotes last year.
 
Last season, UQTR qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 1996.  They lost 3-2 to Laval in extra time in the semifinal.
 
Friday's game is available live online at www.gaiters.ca/webcast.
 
On Sunday, Bishop's is in Montreal to face conference-leading UQAM (5-0-0) at Stade Saputo (synthetique) at 7 p.m.
 
Bishop's is 2-9-1 since 2013 but have lost their last three contests against the Citadins. UQAM remains unranked in the U SPORTS top-10 standings despite beating No. 5 Laval on Sunday.
 
Women's Rugby
History was made by the Gaiters' women's rugby team on Sunday when they beat the McGill Martlets 24-20.  It was their first victory in the RSEQ since 2009. Read the recap.
 
The four-point margin also gives Bishop's head-to-head tiebreaker against McGill.
 
The Gaiters (1-2) will host Concordia (3-0) on Saturday at 1 p.m. on Coulter Field. The game can be viewed live at www.gaiters.ca/webcast.
 
Savannah Leroux (Saint Anne De Bellevue, Que./) was named game MVP and earned the Bishop's Gaiters Provigo, Robert Lafond Athlete of the Week after Sunday's win.
 
Women's Hockey
The Gaiters will host Stanstead College in an exhibition game at the Jane and Eric Molson Arena on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
 
Bishop's played against the Universite de Monction on Sunday.  They lost 1-0 to their U SPORTS opponents.
 
Stanstead College, a local private high school, is known for its hockey programs and despite the age difference, Gaiters' head coach Dominic Desmarais feels it will be a test.
 
"They are younger than us, but I saw them playing last weekend and I know they can execute well.  They are very skilled and have a number of players on provincial teams. I expect they will move the puck very well.  Our goal will be to ensure puck possession and try to make plays.  It was hard against Moncton because they were faster and bigger but this will be another challenge."
 
Women's Basketball
 
The Cegep de Ste. Foy women's basketball team is in town for the nightcap of a busy day. They will play the Gaiters in an exhibition contest in Mitchell Gym.  Tip is set for 7 p.m.
 
Bishop's has not played a game since the end of the 2018-19 season where they went 2-14 and missed the playoffs.
 
Ste-Foy is one of the premiere teams in the RSEQ Collegial Division 1.  Last year they finished atop the conference standings at 12-2 before losing in the semifinals.
 
Gaiters rookie Maeva Courla is a Ste. Foy alumnus.
 
Stay tuned to www.gaiters.ca and Twitter, Instagram and YouTube (@BishopsGaiters) for highlights and behind the scenes footage of the first-ever Bishop's Gaiters Celebration of Women in Sport.
 
-30-