CJRU The Final Word is CJRU’s weekly half-hour news program, combining long-form journalism, interviews, breaking news and more from a TMU-centred perspective.
As the school year is in full swing, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) is continuing its rebranding process and adjustments to in-person classes and activities for the first time since March 2020.
The university’s efforts towards truth and reconciliation with its Indigenous community members focus on distancing itself from the school’s former namesake, Egerton Ryerson, who was a formative figure in the creation of Canada’s Residential School System.
In accordance with the 22 recommendations the school accepted from the Standing Strong Task Force in August 2021, TMU pledged to change the name of Ryerson, as well as the name of the sports teams and mascot.
In a March 2022 interview, vice-provost and co-chair of the Standing Strong Task Force Jennifer Simpson, said while the name, sports team name and mascot will change, the gold and royal blue school colours will remain unchanged.
Toronto Metropolitan University replaced the name Ryerson University on April 26, 2022.
Beginning in May 2022, TMU sent out surveys to students, staff, alumni and community members to send in their suggestions for a new athletic sports team name and mascot.
The survey garnered more than 4000 submissions in its two phases from May to August.
The second phase allowed for more submissions to be considered by the TMU community.
With the return of full in-person activities, TMU sports has finally returned with a full schedule as well.
TMU’s name change, as well as the unveiling of a new sports team name, correlated with the full return of the Ontario University Athletics division (OUA) and USPORTS.
The onset of COVID-19 in 2020 cancelled the Ontario University Athletics division and most of USPORTS.
The 2020-2021 season did finish, but saw a reduced schedule and several pauses that threatened another cancellation.
Forward Aaron Rhomes, who starred as a rookie for the team last year, and Simon Chamberlain, a transfer from the Carleton Ravens, comment on their return to the court and preparations for the upcoming season.
A set of preseason games saw the TMU men’s basketball team match up against the Northern Illinois Huskies, the St.Michael’s College Purple Knights and the Oregon Ducks. TMU finished with one win and two losses in the showcase.
While the men’s basketball team wore their old Rams jerseys, changes to the uniform are expected to be unveiled later this year.
Since the USPORTS-NCAA showcase in August, Coca Cola Court has been changed to replace Rams with the new TMU logo in centre court.
On Aug. 29, TMU officially announced Bold will be the new name of the sports teams. Other proposals gaining votes were the Towers and the Beavers.
The official falcon logo was unveiled by TMU in early October, donning the familiar gold and royal blue.
Additional changes include stylized font with a ‘B’ for Bold in the shape of a falcon.
TMU basketball will return to the Mattamy Athletic Centre on Nov.5.
The men’s and women’s teams are expected to unveil their new TMU uniforms in their respective home openers.
The women’s team return this season as defending USPORTS champions. Under the guidance of head coach Carly Clarke, TMU went undefeated last year.
Listen to the Final Word’s Oct.14 episode:
