Darren Cates named Senior Director of Recreation and Varsity Sports at the University of Ottawa

The University of Ottawa is proud to welcome Darren Cates as the next Senior Director of Recreation and Varsity Sports.

Cates joins uOttawa following a 20-year tenure as Director of Athletics at the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) since 2004.

As a long-time resident of Ottawa, a U of O alumnus, and former Manager of Community Development for Varsity Sport for the Gee-Gees, Cates brings over 25 years of extensive experience in intercollegiate athletics with him to his post at Ottawa. Cates will officially commence his role on Aug. 14.

"I am deeply honoured to be selected for this position," said Cates. "Having been a student at uOttawa and working there previously I know how important varsity sports and recreation are to the campus and the community."

"I feel privileged for the opportunity to work with the incredible staff, coaches, student-athletes, and alumni," he said. "I look forward to building upon the tradition of excellence that has been established. I can't wait to get started! Go Gee-Gees!"

Cates holds a Master of Arts in Sport Administration from the University of Ottawa ('97), and a Bachelor of Kinesiology from McMaster University ('95).

During his tenure as Director of Athletics at RMC, Cates oversaw a diverse range of fitness, sports, and recreation programs, as well as managed and led significant capital development projects. He is recognized for his strategic vision and expertise in enhancing athletic program accessibility, transparency, and compliance with relevant policies.

"I am very pleased to welcome Darren back to the University of Ottawa to lead our Recreation and Varsity Sports sector," said Éric Bercier, Associate Vice-President, Student Affairs. "As a uOttawa alumnus, whose passion and care for the world of sport has been evident in his 25-plus year career at the U SPORTS level, I am confident Darren will be an outstanding person to steer our RVS team into the future."

Cates has also twice served as the Chef de Mission of Team Canada's delegation at FISU World University Games, most recently at the 2017 Summer Games in Taipei and the 2015 Winter Games in Spain. Cates also served as Canada's Transportation Manager at the 2011 Summer Games in China.

In his time at the University of Ottawa from 1998-2004, Cates first served as Program Coordinator with the Alumni & Development Office focusing on Homecoming efforts. Cates then joined Sports Services and acted as a was a key strategic figure in the business development growth of the athletic department. Cates built bridges with community stakeholders and the University of Ottawa Board of Governors in the process of the approval and construction of the Minto Sports Complex.

In the national sport world, Cates served as National Team Coordinator for Canada Basketball from 1996-98, coordinating logistics, servicing, and communications efforts for both the Women's and Men's National Teams.

Throughout his career, Cates has been a champion for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) efforts, regularly implementing initiatives to promote core values in his work. As a member of RMC's Cultural Evolution Steering Committee and various committees and boards at the OUA, U SPORTS, and FISU, Cates has been instrumental in organizing Pride and International Women's Day events, among others.