York Lions


The York Lions is the official name for the athletic varsity teams that represent York University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The university's varsity teams compete in the Ontario University Athletics conference of U Sports and, where applicable, in the east division. The Lions' logo features a red lion from the school's logo with the university's colours, red and white.
York's former teams were known as the York Yeomen and York Yeowomen, but changed their name to the gender-neutral Lions in 2003.

Varsity teams

Men's sportsWomen's sports
BasketballBasketball
Cross CountryCross Country
FootballField hockey
Ice HockeyIce Hockey
SoccerRugby
TennisSoccer
Track and fieldTennis
VolleyballTrack and field
WrestlingVolleyball
Wrestling

Football

The York Lions football team has been in operation since 1968 and currently compete in the 11-team Ontario University Athletics conference. The program is one of two in U Sports football to have never won a conference championship. Dexter Janke has been the team's head coach since January 22, 2024.

Men's ice hockey

The York Lions men's ice hockey team competes in the 20-team Ontario University Athletics conference. The team has won three national championships in 1985, 1988, and 1989. The program has also yielded seven Queen's Cup conference championships, most recently in 2017. The team's head coach has been Russ Herrington since 2017.

Women's ice hockey

The York Lions women's ice hockey team competes in the 13-team Ontario University Athletics conference. The team's head coach is Dan Church, who has been in that position since 2004 and is the longest-serving active head coach at York. The team was won three McCaw Cup conference championships, coming in 1983, 1987, and 1997.

Men's soccer

The York Lions men's soccer team has won six U Sports national championships and seven OUA conference championships. Since the hiring of head coach Carmine Isacco in 2007, the Lions have won six of these conference championships and five national championships. The Lions' 2008 U Sports championship was York's first national championship in any sport in 18 years, and their first soccer championship since 1977. Playing for the Lions, in 2010 Alon Badat was named a U Sports Championship All Star, and the Ontario University Athletics West Rookie of the Year, and in 2011 he was a First-Team OUA All-Star. The team currently competes in the 18-team Ontario University Athletics conference.

Women's soccer

The York Lions women's soccer team currently competes in the 19-team Ontario University Athletics conference. The program has had four conference championship winners, coming in 2005, 2007, 2009, and 2019. Carmine Isacco has been the team's head coach since 2012.

Men's volleyball

The York Lions men's volleyball team currently competes in the 13-team Ontario University Athletics conference. The program has featured 13 conference championship winners, most recently in 2005. The highest that the team has finished in the national championship tournament was a second-place finish in 1974. Jordan Taylor was named the team's head coach on July 21, 2023.

Women's volleyball

The York Lions women's volleyball team currently competes in the 14-team Ontario University Athletics conference. The program has had a school-record 15 conference championships with the most recent occurring 2009. In the national championship tournament, the Lions have won five bronze medals, most recently in 1991. The team has been led by head coach Jennifer Neilson since 2018.

Championships

National championships

As of December 2025, York Lions teams and athletes have won 39 national championships.
  • Men's
  • *Gymnastics : 1971, 1973, 1975–1987
  • *Ice hockey : 1985, 1988, 1989
  • *Indoor Track & Field : 1983, 1984, 2014
  • *Soccer : 1977, 2008, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2025
  • *Wrestling : 1989
  • Women's
  • *Field hockey : 2025
  • *Gymnastics : 1971, 1974, 1976, 1980, 1984
  • *Indoor Track & Field : 1984, 1988, 1990
  • *Tennis : 2015, 2016

    Conference championships

  • Men's
  • *Badminton : 1968, 1970, 1983
  • *Basketball : 1978–1982, 1984, 1985
  • *Cross Country : 1967–1970
  • *Curling : 1981, 1982, 1986
  • *Fencing : 1970
  • *Golf : 1979
  • *Gymnastics : 1972–1985, 1988–1992
  • *Ice Hockey : 1970, 1985–1988, 2004, 2017
  • *Rugby : 1973, 1976, 1984
  • *Soccer : 1977, 2007, 2013–2015, 2017, 2018
  • *Skiing : 1970
  • *Squash : 1970, 1971
  • *Swimming : 1968, 1969
  • *Table Tennis : 1971
  • *Tennis : 1968–1970, 1975, 1978, 1991, 1994, 1996, 2005, 2007, 2009
  • *Volleyball : 1968–1971, 1973, 1974, 1980–1982, 1989, 1993, 1994, 2005
  • *Water Polo : 1981, 1997, 1999, 2000
  • *Wrestling : 1987, 1989
  • Women's
  • *Badminton : 1968
  • *Basketball : 1982, 2007
  • *Field Hockey : 1980, 1981, 1984, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2025
  • *Figure Skating : 1984, 1990
  • *Ice Hockey : 1983, 1987, 1997
  • *Indoor Hockey : 1990–1993, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2005
  • *Gymnastics : 1969–1979, 1984, 1987, 1989, 1990–1992
  • *Soccer : 2005, 2007, 2009, 2019
  • *Squash : 1977, 1978, 1981, 1983
  • *Synchronized Swimming : 1968–1970, 1986, 1988, 1989
  • *Track & Field : 1988, 1990
  • *Tennis : 1968, 1969, 1982, 1995, 2001–2003, 2014
  • *Volleyball : 1979, 1982–1985, 1987, 1988, 1990–1995, 1997, 2009
  • *Water Polo : 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002

    Facilities

VenueSportRef.
York Lions StadiumFootball
Soccer
Alumni FieldField hockey
Rugby
Tait McKenzie CentreBasketball
Volleyball
Wrestling
Canlan SportsIce hockey
Mayfair ClubsTennis
Toronto Track and Field CentreTrack and field

;Notes

International competition

This is an incomplete list

Athletes of the Year

''This is an incomplete list''