The Bishop’s Gaiters are heading back to the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) after it was determined the program’s participation agreement in Atlantic University Sport (AUS), which is set to expire next week, will not be renewed.
According to a press release, this change was made following “careful consideration and constructive discussions with other AUS football programs regarding significant sector-wide financial constraints and increasing travel costs that are affecting the sustainability of all programs involved.”
“We appreciate the very real financial pressures faced by our AUS partners and are grateful for the remarkable collaboration and support they have demonstrated for the past eight years,” said Bishop’s principal and vice-chancellor Sebastien Lebel-Grenier in a statement.
“This move is the next step in our program’s storied history that dates back to the 1800s. We are happy to be returning to the RSEQ and offering our student-athletes the opportunity to compete with other Quebec football programs. Bishop’s remains committed to providing an outstanding student-athlete experience and being an active contributor to Canadian university sports.”
Located in Lennoxville, Que., Bishop’s moved to the AUS in 2017 and reached the Loney Bowl four times over eight seasons, winning once in 2024.
“Postsecondary institutions in both regions are adapting to significant financial pressures,” interim AUS CEO John Keefe. “Our football member schools in Atlantic Canada and Bishop’s University Athletics approached this process collaboratively and with a clear understanding of the realities facing universities across the country.
“We have valued Bishop’s contributions to the AUS, and we continue to hold Bishop’s and its leadership in the highest regard. We wish the student-athletes and coaching staff continued success as they return to RSEQ competition.”
