Media releases

• Brock’s Steel Blade Classic set to take over Meridian Centre

  Wednesday, August 09, 2023 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: Aug 9 2023 – R0065

  Fans are ready to pack the stands as Brock University’s signature event of the season returns to the Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharines next month.

  The 23rd annual Steel Blade Classic will see the Brock Badgers men’s hockey team face off against the Guelph Gryphons on Friday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m.

  “The Steel Blade Classic is an unforgettable experience. This game takes place in the heart of the community and is the premier hockey showcase in the Niagara region,” said Melissa Krist, Executive Director of Brock Sports and Recreation. “The electrifying atmosphere makes it the ultimate school spirit event for students, alumni, families, faculty and staff.”

  Tickets will go on sale Monday, Aug. 14 on ticketmaster.ca at 10 a.m.

  General admission Lower Bowl tickets are $30 each, with $1 from each ticket donated to the Food First Program — a partnership between the Brock University Students’ Union, the Graduate Students’ Association and Brock University.

  Back by popular demand, Brock Alumni Relations will be hosting the Alumni VIP Section on the Club Level of the Meridian Centre. Tickets for alumni, which include access to a private bar and complimentary snacks (while supplies last), are $35 and can be purchased through the Brock Homecoming website. A limited number of tickets for this section will also be available to community members through Ticketmaster for $40 for adults and $20 for children aged three to 12.

  There will also be a Signature Series combo ticket available for $40, which grants access to both Steel Blade and Paint the Meridian Red on Nov. 25, which marks the return of the Badgers men’s and women’s basketball teams to the Meridian Centre for the first time since 2020.

  “What an exciting opportunity to honour the history of Brock University and its connection to the Niagara region,” said Brock men’s hockey head coach T.J. Manastersky. “The Steel Blade Classic is the most thrilling game day experience in U SPORTS, and we are fortunate to host this remarkable event.”

  The Steel Blade winner hoists a one-of-a-kind championship trophy: a sword donated by the Werner family.

  Longtime Brock supporter and avid university hockey fan Ed Werner came up with the Steel Blade concept more than two decades ago to help recognize the historical connections of Brock University and to raise the profile of the men’s hockey team.

  Carried by Sergeants of the Upper Canada Artillery Units and Royal Artillery during the War of 1812, the sword is a priceless piece of Canadian history.

  Last year, the Badgers overcame the Gryphons by a score of 6-2 to win their 13th Steel Blade title.

  Brock forward Jacob Roach, a second-year Sport Management student, found the back of the net during that game. He recalled the crowd’s excitement.

  “I had the opportunity to play in my first Steel Blade game last year and it was one of the best experiences of my hockey career,” said Roach, who previously played for the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League. “It’s a high-energy game and the crowd atmosphere brings a unique experience unlike any other game. We are fortunate to play in front of our fellow students. It’s an event we all have circled on our calendars.”

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Doug Hunt, Communications and Media Relations Specialist, Brock University dhunt2@brocku.ca or 905-941-6209

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  Categories: Media releases

• Brock expert explains how the body reacts to extreme heat as temperatures rise

  Friday, August 04, 2023 | By Brock University

  EXPERT ADVISORY: Aug 4 2023 – R0064

  After what scientists have deemed Earth’s hottest month on record, the impact of extreme heat is being felt more than ever across the globe.

  As temperatures continue to rise, Brock University Kinesiology Professor Stephen Cheung is offering insight into how the body responds to heat and steps that can be taken to stay cool through summer’s remaining weeks.

  “There is a big danger whenever there is a sudden heat wave,” says Cheung, whose lab studies the impacts of environmental stressors — such as extreme heat and cold — on human physiology and performance. “The week after a sudden spike in hot temperatures, there tends to be more hospital admissions, more heart attacks and, just generally, more deaths that arise because of the heat.”

  When the body experiences heat, it reacts in two main ways: blood from deeper parts of the body moves outwards to blood vessels in the skin to help heat leave the body; and sweat is steadily released throughout the body to create a film of water on the skin, which evaporates into the environment and cools the body.

  Extreme heat and humidity add challenges to these typically effective ways to rid the body of heat, says Cheung.

  If the air temperature is warmer than one’s core body temperature, which ranges on average from 37 to 39 degrees Celsius when exercising, it is more difficult to expel body heat.

  “We’re actually gaining heat from the environment, in addition to the heat we are generating through exercise,” he says. “That’s a very dangerous situation that can rapidly lead to heat exhaustion, hyperthermia and heat stroke.”

  Another challenge is high humidity levels.

  “In a humid environment, the air is already very saturated with water so it can’t suck up the sweat from our body,” Cheung says. “We can be sweating a lot, but we’re not actually removing heat from our body — we’re just dripping the sweat off our bodies, making us very uncomfortable and making us more dehydrated more quickly.”

  Dehydration often leads to the heart working harder, so it can be especially dangerous for people with cardiovascular issues.

  Extreme heat can also be challenging for older individuals who may not be able to control and regulate their body temperatures well, and for people who work outside, such as construction workers near hot surfaces that retain heat from the sun.

  In addition to changes experienced by the skin, blood vessels and heart, extreme heat also affects the brain.

  “When we’re hot, there tends to be less blood flowing to the brain and that can affect our mental capabilities also, so it’s not just a matter of us physically collapsing from the heat,” says Cheung. “If you’re a worker, you can be at higher risk of accidents due to unsafe behaviour. You’re often so focused on your own discomfort that you may not be paying attention to the outside environment.”

  Cheung says climate change has led to more days in the year that are too hot and unsafe for work to occur outside.

  “That’s already the case in many parts of the world and closer to the equator,” he says. “For example, Singapore and the Middle East are already experiencing reduced productivity because it’s just too hot to work during the day.”

  Extreme heat can also be detrimental to people who do not have access to air conditioning in their homes due to lower socioeconomic status or the location of their living quarters. Apartments and condos on the upper floors of buildings can trap heat, making it uncomfortable even in the evenings and at night when trying to sleep, Cheung says.

  Tips for staying safe in extreme heat:

  • Stay in the shade.
  • Wear sunscreen.
  • Stay hydrated.
  • Head inside to air conditioning.
  • Remove layers of clothing.
  • Check on older relatives and others who may be more susceptible to heat’s impacts.

  Brock University Professor of Kinesiology Stephen Cheung is available for media interviews on the topic.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Doug Hunt, Communications and Media Relations Specialist, Brock University dhunt2@brocku.ca or 905-941-6209

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  Categories: Media releases