York Lions football
The York Lions football team represents York University in Toronto, Ontario in the sport of Canadian football in U Sports. The York Lions football team has been in continuous operation since 1968 and are one of two teams currently playing in U Sports football to have never won a conference championship. The other team, the Sherbrooke Vert et Or, did not begin their current program until 2003. Their current head coach is Warren Craney, who became the team's head coach before the 2010 season.
The Lions were previously known as the York Yeomen until all York varsity teams changed their nicknames to the Lions in 2003.
Recent history
The program has been one of futility, finishing out of the playoffs each year since 2005. After Queen's and Ottawa joined the OUA in 2001, the playoffs were expanded to include eight teams, meaning that the Lions would make the playoffs for four consecutive seasons. This format was discontinued after the 2003 season, so the Lions did not qualify for post-season play in 2005. In 2012, the Lions finished with a 2–6 record, the most wins for the program since 2005 and in 7th place, their highest finish in eight years. In 2013, the team finished 8th overall in the OUA, matching their previous season's record of 2–6. Following the 2013 season, head coach Warren Craney signed a contract extension with York University to remain at the helm of the program.During the next two seasons, the Lions took a step backward as they recorded no wins in 2014 and one in 2015. The team had a 2–6 record in 2016, showing some improvement, but regressed the following year with a one-win season in 2017. The Lions won three games in 2018, which was their highest win total in 13 years, but still finished outside of playoff contention. The Lions again regressed following a stronger year, with a 1–7 finish in 2019.
Red & Blue Bowl
The Lions maintain a competitive rivalry with their crosstown rivals, the Toronto Varsity Blues, and the two teams play annually in a game called the Red & Blue Bowl. The first meeting occurred on September 11, 1970, which was an exhibition match won by the Varsity Blues. At a time when Toronto was a dominant program, the Varsity Blues won the first 14 match ups until York won their first Red & Blue Bowl game in 1984. York's longest stretch of dominance began in 1996 when the Lions won their first of 12 consecutive matches, which ended after their 2007 victory. Overall, as of the 2019 season, the Lions hold a record in the Red & Blue Bowl and maintain a current three-game winning streak.Season-by-season record
The following is the record of the York Lions football team since 1995:| Season | Games | Won | Lost | Standing | Playoffs | |||
| 1995 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0.500 | 115 | 172 | 5th in OUA | Did not qualify |
| 1996 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0.500 | 159 | 154 | 5th in OUA | Did not qualify |
| 1997 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0.750 | 209 | 129 | 4th in OUA | Lost to Waterloo Warriors in quarter-final 17-0 |
| 1998 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 0.250 | 118 | 155 | 6th in OUA | Did not qualify |
| 1999 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 0.250 | 175 | 163 | 6th in OUA | Did not qualify |
| 2000 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 0.375 | 99 | 205 | 6th in OUA | Did not qualify |
| 2001 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 0.375 | 153 | 216 | 8th in OUA | Lost to McMaster Marauders in quarter-final 62-0 |
| 2002 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0.625 | 121 | 113 | 5th in OUA | Defeated Ottawa Gee-Gees in quarter-final 12-4 Lost to McMaster Marauders in semi-final 29–14 |
| 2003 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 0.375 | 161 | 251 | 7th in OUA | Lost to Queen's Golden Gaels in quarter-final 27-6 |
| 2004 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 0.375 | 220 | 237 | 6th in OUA | Lost to Western Mustangs in quarter-final 54-18 |
| 2005 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 0.375 | 113 | 294 | 8th in OUA | Did not qualify |
| 2006 | 8 | 1 | 7 | 0.125 | 134 | 224 | 9th in OUA | Did not qualify |
| 2007 | 8 | 1 | 7 | 0.125 | 90 | 279 | 9th in OUA | Did not qualify |
| 2008 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0.000 | 32 | 471 | 10th in OUA | Did not qualify |
| 2009 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0.000 | 97 | 414 | 10th in OUA | Did not qualify |
| 2010 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0.000 | 73 | 416 | 9th in OUA | Did not qualify |
| 2011 | 8 | 1 | 7 | 0.125 | 90 | 241 | 9th in OUA | Did not qualify |
| 2012 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 0.250 | 192 | 274 | 7th in OUA | Did not qualify |
| 2013 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 0.250 | 179 | 332 | 8th in OUA | Did not qualify |
| 2014 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0.000 | 63 | 382 | 11th in OUA | Did not qualify |
| 2015 | 8 | 1 | 7 | 0.125 | 121 | 367 | 10th in OUA | Did not qualify |
| 2016 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 0.250 | 171 | 384 | 9th in OUA | Did not qualify |
| 2017 | 8 | 1 | 7 | 0.125 | 163 | 340 | 10th in OUA | Did not qualify |
| 2018 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 0.375 | 172 | 297 | 9th in OUA | Did not qualify |
| 2019 | 8 | 1 | 7 | 0.125 | 122 | 272 | 11th in OUA | Did not qualify |
National award winners
- Jeff Johnson – Peter Gorman Trophy
- Jacob Janke – Russ Jackson Award
York Lions in the CFL
- Jamal Campbell, Toronto Argonauts
- Colton Hunchak, Calgary Stampeders
- Nikola Kalinic, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
- James Tuck, Edmonton Eskimos