The calendar is chock full with events around campus and during WolfPack games this upcoming season. Here is a quick, informative guide summarizing the activities of each U SPORTS program through the first eight months of the schedule. This list will be republished and updated with new information each newsletter. Details for events further down the calendar are subject to change. Be sure to follow the WolfPack social media channels and check out our website to stay up-to-date on event information. All event and game times are displayed in the Pacific Time Zone.

We want our alumni to be as involved as possible with the current program. The purpose of this list is to give you a heads-up about what is going on with the WolfPack in the community, along with game information at Hillside Stadium and inside the Tournament Capital Centre (TCC) far enough in advance that you can make plans to attend, if you'd like to. We certainly would love to see each and every one of you again.

Alumni athletes can purchase season passes and single game tickets at a 50 percent discount by showing your Alumni Access Card. To apply for the card online, follow these steps.

August 31 — Men's Soccer Home Opener

The 'Pack will be raring to go after an eight-game preseason slate, capped off by a three-game road trip through California. This year, they open their season against the University of British Columbia (UBC) Thunderbirds. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. 

September 1 — Men's soccer hosts the University of Victoria (UVic) Vikes (1 p.m.) at Hillside Stadium.

September 13 and 14 — WolfPack Soccer Alumni Weekend

All weekend long the WolfPack are celebrating all alumni, highlighting national and conference championship teams from the past and former All-Canadian athletes. Players from any era are welcome. Alumni and their families receive free admission all weekend. Alumni athletes are encouraged to wear retro gear to the games, and retro mascots will also be in attendance.

September 13 — Women's Soccer Home Opener, Puppies and Pints

After opening their sixth U SPORTS season on the road against the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) Timberwolves and the University of Calgary (U of C) Dinos, the WolfPack welcome the MacEwan University Griffins at Hillside Stadium at 5:30 p.m.

During the home opener fans are encouraged to bring their dog down to the pitch, where they can sit in a sectioned-off area of the bleachers. There will also be a beer garden set up near the field for fans of legal age to responsibly enjoy.

After the women's game, the men host the University of Saskatchewan Huskies at 7:30 p.m. at Hillside Stadium.

September 14 — WolfPack Family Festival               

Saturday is geared more towards a family atmosphere with a carnival theme. There will be face painting, bouncy castles, lawn games, tattoos and other events going on inside Hillside Stadium before and during the game.

The women host the University of Alberta Pandas at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men hosting the MacEwan Griffins at 7:30 p.m. at Hillside Stadium.

September 23 — WolfPack runners exit starting blocks

Come cheer on WolfPack runners during the first cross-country race of the season at Kenna Cartwright Park. The Dirty Feet Trail Run 5- and 10-kilometre races kickoff the four-race season leading up to the U SPORTS National Championships in early November. This is the only home race of the season for the WolfPack. Points and standings are not impacted from this race, as it serves as the first step in the athletes shaking off the rust for the season.

September 24 — Annual WolfPack Scholarship Breakfast

The biggest fundraising event on the calendar for the WolfPack program is our annual breakfast. More information about the breakfast can be found here.

September 28 — Kamloops Sports Day

In partnership with the Kamloops Blazersof the Western Hockey League, the WolfPack will welcome the Blazers to the women's soccer game against the U of C Dinos at noon and the men's tilt against the Trinity Western University (TWU) Spartans at 2 p.m. at Hillside Stadium. Purchasing a ticket to a WolfPack game will get you a discounted rate on a Blazer ticket later that evening when they host the Vancouver Giants (7 p.m.) at the Sandman Centre.

September 29 — The women's soccer team hosts the UNBC Timberwolves at 12 p.m., followed by the men's game against the University of Fraser Valley (UFV) Cascades (2 p.m.) at Hillside Stadium.

October 4 — The women's soccer program hosts the UBC Thunderbirds (5 p.m.) at Hillside Stadium.

October 5 — Wrapping up a four-game home stand, women's soccer will take on the UVic Vikes at Hillside Stadium (5 p.m.).  

October 12 — The final regular season home games of the year start with the women entertaining the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) Heat at 12 p.m., followed by men's soccer taking on the UBCO Heat at 2 p.m. Both games take place at Hillside Stadium. 

October 24 — Oktoberfest

The third annual Oktoberfest women's volleyball fundraiser returns to the Culinary Arts Training Centre as a way to kick off the volleyball season. The German-themed event will make you feel like you are in the heart of Munich. Tickets can be purchased herefor $75. There are 100 tickets available. With a ticket, patrons will be treated to a fantastisch (German for fantastic) buffet, receive a plastic stein and some German-inspired beer provided by Iron Road Brewing. Further beer tickets will be sold at the event. There will also be a silent auction on hand. Proceeds from the fundraiser will go to support the women's volleyball program.

October 25 — Volleyball Home Opener

Unlike soccer, both volleyball teams lift the lid on their 15th U SPORTS season on the same weekend. 
Performing in front of a lively crowd will be the Rube Band,who have agreed to return to play during some of the WolfPack home games this year. The Rube Band is a fun, eclectic band that combines of a variety of instruments that play classic stadium tunes throughout the evening.
Both men and women will open their season on the road on October 18 and 19 against the Brandon University Bobcats. They will both welcome the U of C Dinos in their home opener. The men tip off at 5 p.m. followed by the women at 7 p.m. at the TCC. On Saturday, the women start at 5 p.m., with the men going at 7 p.m.

November 1 — Basketball Home Opener

The final fall semester athletic program tips off with a pair of home games against the TWU Spartans for their 15th season in U SPORTS. The men open the season at 5 p.m. with the women's game commencing at 7 p.m. The two teams will run it back the following night, but with the women at 5 p.m. and the men at 7 p.m. Other event information for the home opener will be released at a later date.

November 8 and 9 — WolfPack host the University of Alberta volleyball programs

The men are in action first as they take on the Golden Bears (Friday, 5 p.m.) followed by the women welcoming the Pandas to the TCC. On Saturday, the game times are flipped, as the women host the Pandas at 5 p.m. with the men at 7 p.m.

November 15 — School Day

For the second-straight year, the Kamloops-Thompson School District No. 73 will take over the TCC, as more than 1,000 students are expected to pack the stands. This year, the University of Regina Cougars will be in attendance and seeing as they don't have a men's volleyball program, the women get the privilege of entertaining their youngest local fans. With it being a school day, the game will tip off at 12 p.m., so the children can return to class before the end of the day.
November 16 — The WolfPack women's volleyball program wraps up the weekend slate against the Cougars (12 p.m.) at the TCC.

November 22 and 23 — Basketball battle of the wolves

Kicking off back-to-back weekends at home, both WolfPack basketball programs will host the UNBC Timberwolves. The men get things started on Friday at 5 p.m., with the women tipping at 7 p.m. Closing out the weekend, the women start at 5 p.m. on Saturday with the men playing at 7 p.m.

November 29 and 30 — WolfPack host the University of Saskatchewan Huskies basketball programs

The WolfPack will close out the month of November by the men playing at 5 p.m. on Friday and 7 p.m. on Saturday. On the flip side, the women play at 7 p.m. on Friday and 5 p.m. on Saturday. All games will be at the TCC and against the Huskies.

January 3 and 4 — WolfPack return from holiday break

The WolfPack basketball programs will be up and running before classes resume, as they host the Mount Royal University Cougars of Calgary at the TCC. The men get things going on Friday at 5 p.m., with the women tipping at 7 p.m. On Saturday, the women go first at 5 p.m., with the men closing out the weekend at 7 p.m.
January 10 and 11 — WolfPack host the Manitoba Bisons volleyball programs

In their first home games following the winter break, the men take the court at 5 p.m. (January 10) against the Bisons, with the women's game following. On Saturday, the women are up first at 5 p.m. and the men follow at 7 p.m.

January 24 — You Can Play game

One of the marquee events on the calendar this season is the return of the You Can Play game. Last year, the WolfPack introduced the campaign as a way to let athletes know that WolfPack Athletics is a safe place for everyone and encouraged their athletes to be their authentic selves. The women's soccer program hosted the inaugural event last year and was joined in attendance by Kamloops Pride and the Safe Spaces support program. More information about the history of the event can be found here. This year, both volleyball programs will participate in the event and welcome the UBCO Heat to the TCC. After a brief pregame ceremony, the men get things going at 5 p.m. with the women tipping at 7 p.m. The weekend set concludes the following evening with the women starting at 5 p.m. and the men at 7 p.m.

January 31 — Donor Reception

Each year, the WolfPack enjoy celebrating the people that have supported the program throughout the years. The Donor Reception has become an annual event where supporters of the WolfPack are treated to a game in their own roped-off VIP area, where they can invite their family members to come watch a game.

January 31 and February 1 — Basketball Alumni Weekend

Similar to what the soccer program held in the fall, the basketball programs will be hosting a weekend for all alumni when one of the WolfPack's biggest rivals—the UFV Cascades—cruise into town for the final regular season weekend. Alumni athletes are welcome to attend both games that weekend, but the Saturday night game will be geared toward honouring alumni. Former players receive free entry into games, are encouraged to wear retro jerseys and are welcome to enjoy the game in the beer garden. The women tip at 7 p.m. on Friday and 5 p.m. on Saturday. The men play at 5 p.m. on Friday and 7 p.m. on Saturday. All four games will be played at the TCC.

February 14 and 15 — Final WolfPack regular season volleyball games

The WolfPack close out the 2019/20 season by hosting the TWU Spartans. The men open the slate in the 5 p.m. slot on Friday, followed by the women. On Saturday, the women tip their final game at 5 p.m. and the men follow at 7 p.m.

April 2020 — Wild Guide to Wine and Food

One of the most anticipated men's soccer fundraisers returns to the Culinary Arts Training Centre this spring. In honour of the former soccer coach Errol Wild, the Wild Guide to Wine and Food returns to raise money for the Errol Wild Memorial Award. The four-course dinner is prepared by TRU Culinary Arts Chefs with wine pairing presented by local sommelier, Claude Royer. Last year, there were 100 tickets available, $80 each. This is a very enjoyable event and tickets go fast. Get in touch with men's soccer Head Coach John Antulov for more information.

This story and others like it appeared in the new Alumni Newsletter. To subscribe and receive stories such as this, along with other information about news and events with the WolfPack, update your information through TRU Alumni Association.