At this year’s March Madness basketball bonanza, 68 men’s teams and 68 women’s teams will tip off their pursuit of a national championship. The men’s tournament features the Duke University Blue Devils as the clear frontrunner, anchored by arguably the most dominant freshman college basketball has seen in years. The[Read More…]
Articles by Zain Ahmed
Cut varsity teams shut out of McGill24 fundraising despite promise of continued support
Less than two weeks before McGill24—the university’s annual day of giving each March 11—McGill’s Field Hockey team received an email that changed everything. After submitting their McGill Crowdfunding proposal, they learned the team could no longer participate because they were not managed by a McGill unit. The notice came from[Read More…]
Fasting at full speed: The extraordinary challenge of Ramadan for Muslim athletes
Picture this: You wake at 4:30 a.m. to eat a pre-dawn meal, knowing it’s your last chance to eat or drink until sunset. By evening, you will have run 10 kilometres or competed in front of millions of spectators, all without a single sip of water or morsel of food.[Read More…]
McGill varsity sports roundup
This past week delivered a wide array of results for McGill’s Redbirds and Martlets, with overtime heartbreak, senior celebrations, and a tough road loss setting the stage for the upcoming Winter semester regular season finales. From volleyball victory to hockey hurt, McGill teams battled across multiple venues as they prepared[Read More…]
Know Your Athlete: Eliana Zhang
For Eliana Zhang, badminton has never existed in a vacuum. It is part of a life built around discipline, balance, and sustained excellence, which she has learned to manage at a level few student athletes ever reach. A fifth-year medical student in her final year at McGill, Zhang has played[Read More…]
Indiana’s impossible season ends in a National Championship
In a defining moment for college football, the Indiana University Hoosiers capped a perfect 16–0 season by beating the University of Miami Hurricanes 27-21 in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Jan. 18 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. What makes this title run truly historic is[Read More…]
Parity rules the postseason as the NFL Playoffs open the door to a new champion in Super Bowl LX
Disclaimer: This piece was written before the Divisional Round games which took place Jan. 17 and Jan. 18. As the National Football League (NFL) Playoffs move into the Divisional Round, one thing is increasingly clear: This postseason is defined less by dominance and more by high-pressure execution. With both teams[Read More…]
Varsity Report Card: Fall 2025
Redbirds Baseball: C+ A rebuilding year showed in Men’s Baseball’s final record: 11–18, with a tough 3–11 mark on the road and no conference play on the schedule entering fall nationals. The team’s strong 8–6 home record kept the season from slipping further, as did steady pitching flashes and an[Read More…]
Know Your Athlete: Rebecca McGrath
When most students are just beginning to wake up, Rebecca McGrath, U1 Science, has already been in the pool for hours—counting strokes, chasing splits, and sharpening the details that make her one of McGill Swimming’s most promising rookies. At only 19, the Psychology major made her presence known once again[Read More…]
Know Your Team: McGill Men’s Lacrosse
Redbirds Lacrosse headed to Brampton, Ontario, from Nov. 7 to Nov. 9 for the Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association (CUFLA) Baggataway Cup with the same expectation as every fall: Play fast, play together, and play for silverware. Captain and midfielder John Miraglia, U3 Arts, says this year’s group is better[Read More…]
2025’s sports equinox: Four major leagues, one historic night
Monday, Oct. 27, was a fever dream for sports fans. It was the kind of sporting sensory overload where four screens and a personal highlight-curator were necessities. For only the 32nd time in history, the sports equinox commandeered living rooms and sports bars across North America. The National Football League[Read More…]
McGill Athletics’ varsity program restructuring: Student-athletes’ perspectives
For over a year, rumours have circulated that McGill Athletics is evaluating its varsity teams with the intention of making cuts to the varsity program. This year, that rumour was confirmed. Fourth-year Women’s Rugby player and Varsity Council member Annette Yu shared in an interview with The Tribune that McGill[Read More…]
Europe holds off U.S. rally to retain golf’s Ryder Cup amid fan controversy
For the second straight Ryder Cup, Team Europe lifted the trophy, fending off a late Team U.S.A charge to claim a 15-13 victory at Bethpage Black Golf Course in Long Island, New York, on Sept. 28. But as grand as the tournament’s golfing was, it will more likely be remembered[Read More…]
The odds stacked against athletes: The darker side of sports betting
The past decade has seen sports betting morph from a shadowy practice into a multibillion-dollar industry embedded in the heart of professional sports. With states across the U.S. legalizing gambling and Canada following suit in 2021, betting odds now flash across live broadcasts, podcasts casually reference parlays, and ESPN even[Read More…]
Know Your Coach: Christopher Haddad
When Christopher Haddad walks onto the diamond, he brings more than a clipboard and a lineup card. The McGill baseball head coach, now in his second season at the helm, carries with him the weight of the program’s history, the lessons of his own playing days, and a belief that[Read More…]
The Tribune’s sporting sensations of July 2025
July was an incredible month for all manner of sports fans, delivering jaw-dropping performances and unforgettable moments from the hallowed courts of Wimbledon to the grueling climbs of the Tour de France. Athletes pushed their limits and cemented their places in history across multiple sporting feats. From top spin to[Read More…]
Meme madness: The internet’s sporting circus
In the age of social media, sports have evolved beyond competition into fertile ground for internet comedy. From sideline antics to questionable celebrations, athletes and coaches unwittingly transform into viral sensations with a single expression, gesture, or moment. As sports and internet culture continue their inevitable collision, The Tribune examines[Read More…]
McGill hosts 2025 Jesters Canadian University and College Squash Championships
McGill University Squash made history on March 14-16 by hosting the Jesters Canadian University and College Squash Championships, an event that shattered previous participation records and showcased the university’s growing influence in collegiate squash. The three-day tournament, organized by McGill Men’s Captain Mo Kamal in partnership with Squash Quebec, drew[Read More…]
Know Your Coach: Rachèle Béliveau
After 34 remarkable years at the helm of McGill’s Women’s Volleyball program, Coach Rachèle Béliveau has just completed her final season. Her journey from Olympic athlete to one of Canada’s most accomplished university coaches offers valuable lessons in dedication, adaptation, and passion for the sport. Béliveau’s volleyball career began in[Read More…]
The Tribune’s sports highlights of the week
International: Canada clinches the 4 Nations Trophy In a finish that perfectly encapsulated the spirit of international hockey, Team Canada secured a pulsating 3-2 overtime victory over Team USA on the back of a show-stopping finish from number 97, centre Connor McDavid. In the stands and across the country, the[Read More…]
To all the sports I’ve loved before
Jenna Payette, Contributor Dear Ice Hockey, “Anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.” This quote from Steve Prefontaine hung in my brother’s room growing up and became the silent force that subtly shaped me. As the baby of my family, I was pushed to challenge my limits[Read More…]
Slam-dunk Dončić-Davis trade triggers a tectonic shift in the NBA
In a move that sent shockwaves through the basketball world, the Los Angeles Lakers acquired Luka Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Anthony Davis on Feb. 1. The trade, which emerged seemingly out of nowhere, represents one of the most significant player movements in National Basketball Association (NBA)[Read More…]
A sibling pick and roll: Matt and Alec Phaneuf’s rival routes
In the heart of Montreal’s university sports scene, a unique sibling rivalry is unfolding on the basketball court. Matt Phaneuf, playing for the McGill Redbirds, and his brother Alec Phaneuf, representing the Concordia Stingers, share more than just DNA. Their love for each other and their competitive spirit has been[Read More…]
No joking around as Martlets soar to victory in the Jesters University League
The McGill Women’s Squash team captured their second straight Jesters League championship on Jan. 18 in a dramatic finale against the University of Toronto (UofT), showcasing both their competitive excellence and remarkable team spirit. The victory represents another milestone in the program’s extraordinary growth over the past four years, achieved[Read More…]
The Tribune’s sports highlights of the week
From stunning McGill Martlets home games to historic soccer rivalry matches, The Tribune Staff Writers share their sports highlights of the week McGill: Martlets Basketball secures a comfortable win at home against Concordia Stingers on Jan. 16 With the Stingers pressing high and the Martlets looking to reset, Emma-Jane Scotten,[Read More…]
Varsity Report Card: Fall 2024
Martlets Field Hockey (0–10): C- The 2024-25 season concluded with the Martlets Field Hockey team once again finishing at the bottom of the Ontario University Association (OUA) standings. However, this year marked an important shift for the team as they hosted their first home game in over five years. The[Read More…]
The rise of YouTube boxing: A golden age or a gilded age?
The recent clash between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson has ignited the debate surrounding the burgeoning phenomenon of YouTube boxing. This peculiar intersection of sports and entertainment has seen a meteoric rise, driven by a blend of celebrity, controversy, and colossal paydays. While some hail it as a renaissance for[Read More…]
The Tribune’s sports highlights of the week
From McGill cross-country to international tennis, staff writers from The Tribune share their sports highlights of the week. McGill: Cross Country Shines at U SPORTS Championships In a remarkable display of athletic prowess, the McGill Cross Country team made their mark at the U SPORTS Canadian Championships in Kelowna, BC.[Read More…]
Know Your Athlete: Emilia Mastromatteo
Emilia Mastromatteo, U3 Science, is a shark among the minnows. Hailing from Kenora, Ontario, Emilia has overcome numerous challenges to become a standout swimmer in the pool. A sprinter for the backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly 50m and 100m, she has made a name for herself within the Martlets Swimming squad. [Read More…]
Removing the mask: Uncovering the importance of mental health in men’s sports
Professional sport is a bastion of prowess and unwavering determination. In times where mental health and introspection are evermore pertinent, society is starting to recognize the importance of mental health advocacy, especially for high-level athletes. While recent years have seen a surge in discussions surrounding mental health, particularly among women[Read More…]
Know Your Athlete: Zach Bye
Zach Bye, a 21-year-old attacker for Redbirds Lacrosse, U0 Arts, has quickly made a name for himself in his first year at McGill. Hailing from Greenwich, Connecticut, Bye has started his McGill lacrosse career with a bang. The freshman has been named McGill Athlete of the Week twice this season[Read More…]
Martlets Field Hockey host their first home game in over five years
After a five-year absence, the McGill Women’s Field Hockey team finally returned to their home pitch: Percival Molson Stadium. On Oct. 12, the Martlets hosted their only home games of the season against the Queen’s Gaels. Despite narrowly falling short in both matches (2-0 and 3-2), the team displayed unwavering[Read More…]
McGill Squash(es) the competition at home opener
The McGill Squash team had a weekend to remember, hosting their only home match of the season against the Ottawa Gee-Gees and the Queen’s Gaels. The energy at the Webster Squash Courts was palpable as the players took to the court, eager to showcase their skills and lay down statement[Read More…]
Redbirds lacrosse plays third annual Legacy Game, reflect on Indigenous roots
Lacrosse is a sport rooted in Indigenous history and tradition, and it has maintained a significant place in Canada’s cultural tapestry since its inception. With its roots intertwined in Indigenous communities, lacrosse has long served as a unifying sport, fostering a sense of belonging and shared identity. At McGill, this[Read More…]
Know Your Athlete: Chloe Renaud
Chloe Renaud, U3 Arts, is a talented midfielder on the McGill women’s soccer team who has been making her mark both on and off the field. Having been named the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) Player of the Week within the first week of the season and the[Read More…]
Know Your Athlete: Caroline Crossley
Having recently returned to Canadian soil one Olympic silver medal richer, Caroline Crossley was a prominent member of the Canadian Women’s Rugby Team at the 2024 Paris Olympics. As an incoming student in the Faculty of Law, she has had to balance a demanding curriculum with her international athletic commitments. [Read More…]
The Tribune’s sports moments of the summer
The adrenaline has been high this summer, with several high-profile tournaments and events falling within months of each other. Alongside annual events such as Wimbledon and the Formula 1 Grand Prix that draw tens of thousands of fans every year, this summer also featured the UEFA European Championships (Euros), the[Read More…]
An uneven playing field: The economics of underrepresented sports
Spectator sports have long been a cornerstone of global culture, captivating millions of fans and generating substantial economic value. From cricket and football to golf and rugby, these events have the power to inspire, unite, and entertain. Financial investment plays a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of these sports,[Read More…]
The double standard: How media ideology magnifies mistakes of Black players
England’s National Football Team’s lackluster 1-0 defeat to Iceland’s National Football Team on June 7 was more than just a forgettable pre-European Championships match. In the post-match analysis, a curious trend materialized: 22-year-old Bukayo Saka, who played a mere 25 minutes of the game, became a focal point of criticism.[Read More…]