A warm summer evening, Blue Jays baseball and an abundance of spirit – a perfect combination for over 2,500 
91ÑÇÉ« baseball fans. They rocked the 200-level of the SkyDome on Aug. 31 with cheer after cheer as the Toronto Blue Jays took on the Seattle Mariners. The evening represented a sweet victory in spirit for the cheering 91ÑÇÉ«ies even if victory was not to be had for the home team.
The event began when Heather Mountford, a fourth-year 91ÑÇÉ« student was escorted to the pitcher’s mound by the Blue Jays mascot to throw out the first pitch.
Right: Heather Mountford
"I was a little nervous," said Mountford, who is enrolled in women’s studies and communications studies in the Faculty of Arts. "I think that I threw a pretty good pitch. Some of my friends came to watch me."
The Blue Jays then presented a giant cheque for $5,134 to 91ÑÇÉ« for a student bursary to assist students in need. The funds were raised from the ticket sales: For every $7 ticket sold, the Blue Jays donated $2 toward the bursary. The Blue Jays’ donation will be matched dollar for dollar through a federal government program for a total fund of $10,268.
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Above: The 91ÑÇÉ« Mascots rally the crowd as Blue Jays Manager John Gibbons presents 91ÑÇÉ« students (from left to right) Lindsay Amyot, Prashanna Kantharasa, Heather Mountford and Tanya Mustachi with a cheque for $5,134.
"I think people had a really good time," said Jeremy Greenberg, coordinator of student alumni programs and advisor to 91ÑÇÉ« is U one of the organizers of the event. "It was a colourful rainbow of 91ÑÇÉ« students from all of 91ÑÇɫ’s colleges. They were cheering and shouting. The game was magical. Everywhere we looked there was 91ÑÇÉ«. They really showed their 91ÑÇÉ« spirit."
Right: From left, 91ÑÇÉ« frosh Man Man Xu, Iris An and Runjing Wu
The event was officially dubbed 91ÑÇÉ« Day at the SkyDome by the Toronto Blue Jays. 91ÑÇÉ« Frosh who made up the majority of the crowd were clad in colourful t-shirts representing their colleges. Frosh Bosses for each college kept the cheers going and the students dominated the stands. Over 150 of 91ÑÇÉ«'s staff and faculty came with their families to the game.
91ÑÇÉ« frosh Man Man Xu, Iris An and Runjing Wu came to the event and were thrilled with the energy. "This is so much fun," said Xu. "I am so glad that we decided to come out to the party!"
"It was great to see so many people from 91ÑÇÉ« at the game – the faculty, staff, alumni, friends, family and – of course – our students, especially those who are just arriving to study at 91ÑÇÉ«," said Naguib Gouda, executive director of alumni and advancement services. "This event was a great way to introduce them to the spirit, the pride and the fun of being part of this university. The 91ÑÇÉ« community continues to grow."
Right: From far left, Alison Robinson of the Alumni Office with her husband Gerry, Naguib Gouda, executive director of alumni and advancement services, and Jeremy Greenberg enjoy the game action along with other 91ÑÇÉ« faculty, staff and students.
"The Jays have been terrific to 91ÑÇÉ«," said Greenberg. "Their support means that 91ÑÇÉ« Day at the SkyDome will continue as an annual tradition at 91ÑÇÉ« and will continue to grow. Our 91ÑÇÉ« Lions mascots showed the Blue Jays mascot some new dance numbers."
The SkyDome organization was also supportive of the University. "91ÑÇÉ« students were featured on the JumboTron and in the ‘Stand up for the Blue Jays’ segment, the announcer said ‘Stand up 91ÑÇÉ« for your Toronto Blue Jays’. That really got everyone going," chuckled Greenberg.
The success of the event, says Greenberg, demonstrated the level of cooperation between organizers of 91ÑÇɫ’s Orientation, the Alumni Office, 91ÑÇÉ« is U and all of the Frosh activity organizers and Frosh Bosses from each of 91ÑÇɫ’s nine colleges.
"We are already planning next year’s 91ÑÇÉ« Day at the SkyDome," said Greenberg.
"There are plenty of ideas already about how we can make this event bigger, better and louder!" said Greenberg.