Articles by author: Brock University

• New name, new look for Brock athletics and recreation

  Wednesday, August 31, 2016 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: R00185 – 31 August 2016

  It’s a new era for athletics and recreation at Brock University.

  The department that oversees all varsity, club and recreational athletics programming at the University has changed its name to Brock Sports.

  Director Neil Lumsden made the announcement Wednesday morning, calling it an “exciting time” in Brock’s history.

  “The essence of who and what we are is really based on sport and activity, so Brock Sports is an exciting new direction for all of us,” he said. The new name and logo follows the merger of the former separate departments of Athletics and Recreation last year.

  The Brock Badgers name will remain unchanged, but the new Brock Sports title covers all activities that fall under the merged department’s watch such as varsity and club sports, recreational programs, summer camps and community engagement. The recently announced Brock University High Performance Centre will also be part of the Brock Sports portfolio.

  “It’s a great way to adjust the culture and bring people together in one department,” Lumsden said. “For us, it’s about community engagement creating more opportunities.”

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases

• Monitoring program returns as Niagara’s wine industry prepares for harvest

  Wednesday, August 31, 2016 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE:  R00184 – 30 August 2016

  Researchers at Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) are helping Niagara’s grape growers and wineries navigate the impact the hot, dry summer has had on their crops.

  CCOVI’s preharvest monitoring program returns this week for a seventh harvest season, tracking key indicators of fruit ripeness across the Niagara Peninsula.

  “It’s one of the driest years we’ve seen and it is hard to predict the impact of that on fruit development,” says CCOVI viticulturist Jim Willwerth. “In years like this with extreme weather, the preharvest program really helps growers understand how the conditions are impacting their vineyards and assists wineries with their harvest decisions and winemaking practices.”

  Each week until the varieties are harvested, Willwerth and CCOVI oenologist Belinda Kemp collect samples at four sites across the Niagara region, tracking the most popular Niagara varieties — Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet franc and Pinot noir.

  Once the samples return to Brock, sugar levels, titratable acidity, pH and volatile acidity are measured by CCOVI’s Analytical Services team and are posted on the program’s website each Tuesday.

  The data is available to the industry through an interactive website that lets users compare varieties and vintages at different sites across the region. This allows users to compare current numbers to previous harvests in order to put the data into context. Researchers expect a higher level of interest in the data this year due to 2016’s growing conditions.

  Last year, the online database received more than 1,500 page views with people in 38 countries checking in to see how Niagara’s harvest was progressing.

  CCOVI’s Analytical Services also offers grape or juice testing for any grower or winery interested in having their own samples tested.

  Click to view the preharvest monitoring data and to learn more about CCOVI’s Analytical Services team.

  For more information:
  * Kaitlyn Little, Marketing and Communications Officer, Brock University, klittle@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x4471
   
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  Categories: Media releases