Following the McGill administration’s decision to delay the fall 2025 first-year move-in date, students expressed concerns over the new date’s impact on various orientation events. According to members of the McGill University Athletics program, this one-week delay not only affects the social and academic lives of all first-years, but it also specifically puts incoming student athletes at a disadvantage. 

Many McGill sports teams rely on beginning-of-term tryouts to recruit student athletes. While most of these tryouts occur shortly after move-in weekend, some tryouts are scheduled during or even before Aug. 23, the earliest move-in date. Tryouts for the golf team are scheduled on Aug. 20, and the Redbirds rugby team tryouts will take place over the weekend of residence move-in.

Grace Hodges, U3 Arts, plays as a defender on the Martlets field hockey team. In a written statement to The Tribune, she explained how McGill’s changes to residence move-in dates have already affected the team’s tryout process.

“Joining McGill Field Hockey involves a two-week preseason before three days of tryouts,” Hodges wrote. “Instead of our customary two weeks of preseason, [this year] we have one optional week for returning players and rookies that can move in early and then a week of official preseason. Not only does this impact crucial training hours for an incredibly compact season, but it makes it more difficult for rookies and returners to get to know each other, integrate into the team culture, and develop a cohesive playing style in a timely manner.”

Allan Swetman, head coach of the Martlets rugby team, wrote to The Tribune that it is not unusual for pre-season activities to start prior to official residence move-in dates.

“This has been the case in previous years when the season timeline required it,” Swetman wrote. “When needed, our team has historically assisted with the arrangement of billeting with returning student-athletes to ensure that first-year recruits can participate fully in pre-season activities. This practice has been in place for some time and continues to serve as a workable solution within the constraints of the broader academic calendar.”

While the scheduling changes may take a toll on team sports, individual sports are less likely to be affected, as Dennis Barrett, head coach of the cross country team, explained to The Tribune.

“[The new residence move-in date] will not affect our cross country program, as the returning and new athletes will begin preparing for the season on their own or with a club coach depending on where they are from,” wrote Barrett.

In a written statement to The Tribune, McGill Athletics’s Senior Communications and Marketing Manager Stephanie Malley explained the Athletic program’s efforts to support incoming first-year student athletes in the face of administrative changes.

“When scheduling [tryouts], teams do their best to take into consideration the overall McGill calendar for students to ensure ease of attendance for those who are interested in participating,” she wrote. 

Hodges commented on how, despite McGill’s efforts, the decision to delay first-year residence move-in dates may still affect the university’s athletic competency in the long term.

“The most significant impact on competitiveness would be for tier 2 teams with smaller squads, like field hockey, that rely on rookies to help run an effective season,” she wrote. “In the long run, competitive success is tied to many things like effective coaching, support, skill, and team morale.” 

Hodges further emphasized the need for McGill Athletics teams to provide time for new players to adjust to their new environments.

“The ability for a team to perform as a unit is critical to starting a season on the right foot,” Hodges wrote.

Although preseason activities and tryouts do not always align with McGill students’ calendar, Swetman highlighted that providing student-athletes with the support they need will remain a priority.

“As always, our goal is to ensure that all student-athletes are supported in beginning their season on the right foot, and we will continue to manage pre-season logistics accordingly,” Swetman said.

For more information on open tryout dates for various sports teams, visit the McGill Athletics website.