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By: Jennifer Ferguson

Warriors pride was strong on Saturday, February 8, when more than 1,000 fans packed the Physical Activities Complex (PAC) for the annual Fantastic Alumni, Faculty, Staff and Retiree Day.

“I look forward to the email I get every year telling me that it’s time to register,” says Sonja Kroisenbrunner (BA ’85, BA ’86). “The event has become an annual tradition for our family. It’s become part of what we do in early February. We come every year!”

This year, Warriors fans cheered both the women’s and men’s basketball teams to victory against the visiting Algoma Thunderbirds. The women won 72-58 and the men 66-43.

“I like cheering on the ��ݮ��Ƶ Warriors,” says 12-year-old Nicolas Meunier. He attended the game with his mom, Dr. Sarah Meunier (PhD ’13), who is both a U��ݮ��Ƶ alum and faculty member.

“We come every year because it’s a whole day event for the family,” says Sarah. “We have a lot of basketball players in the family.”

Sarah brought her three sons — Luc, Nicolas and Theo — who showed off their pilot skills during the annual paper airplane toss. Of the hundreds of paper airplanes that soared onto the court during the men’s halftime, the Meunier family had a lucky airplane that landed closest to one of the X markers. They won one of the five prize packs.

“The day was amazing!” exclaims Theo Meunier, the oldest son at age 13. “The game was great. The prizes were great too. I had lots of fun.”

Presented by alumni sponsor Manulife, the fantastic basketball games bring together the entire University of ��ݮ��Ƶ community including alumni, faculty, staff, retirees, students and friends.

Dancing Deans steal the show at halftime

As a special surprise for attendees, the women’s halftime show featured dancing mascots, faculty and staff.

U��ݮ��Ƶ Deans and leaders strutted out to the court donning coloured cowboy hats and converse shoes.

Soon after their entrance, an entire flash mob erupted including U��ݮ��Ƶ mascots, cheerleaders, staff and students who joined the country line dance.

The show added to the exciting atmosphere of Fantastic Alumni, Faculty, Staff and Retiree Day, which for Sonja, is what the event is all about.

“It’s just a fun day to cheer for the home team. And the enthusiasm is contagious. It’s the reason we make it our yearly trip back to campus.”