Over the Edge » September 7 sports 15 MAPLE LEAF SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT SUES RYERSON Sports giant takes action over use of Maple Leaf Gardens name SEAN TEPPER THE EYE OPENER TORONTO (CUP) — Ryerson University might seem like an unlikely rival to Maple Leaf Sports and Enter- tainment (MLSE), but the school is giving the sports giant some serious anxiety. MLSE filed an injunction against both Ryer- son and Loblaw Companies in late June, demanding the university stop referring to its new $60-million athletic facility as Maple Leaf Gardens (MLG). According to court documents obtained by the Eyeopener, MLSE believes that “Loblaw and Ryerson threaten and intend the deliberate use of the trademark to deceive the public and infringe the rights of MLSE.” The filings also suggest that MLSE believes Ryerson’s 2,600-seat arena may compete with the Air Canada Centre (ACC), the company’s current venue for sports and entertainment. “It really boggles my mind,” said Ryerson president Sheldon Levy. “How in the world can we compete with [the ACC]? What we want in there they would never want, and what we would dream about having in there we could never have. [MLG] can’t handle U2.” The documents also suggest MLSE feels threatened because the venue will be managed by Global Spectrum, a Philadelphia-based company that manages stadiums such as Citizens Bank Park and the University of Phoenix Stadium, both of which house professional sports teams and high-profile concerts. While Levy believes that it is impossible to compete with a stadium like the ACC, MLSE — which formerly owned MLG — claims “the use of the nbc clubs. can a verti property as a sports and entertainment facility creates a real risk of confusion in the minds of the public that MLSE is still involved in its operation.” “Do you think that people are going to con- fuse the Ryerson Rams with the Toronto Maple Leafs? The only reason they would is that well win cham- pionships,” said Levy. MLSE stated they would never have sold the property to Loblaw if they knew that a stadium would be built in it. The two parties are currently negotiating and, even though no progress has been made yet, Levy said he hopes the matter can be settled out of court. “TWe told MLSE that] we read the covenant, understand it and we will not break the covenant, but that has not been a satisfactory answer to them,” said Levy. When Ryerson partnered up with Loblaw in December 2009, they saw MLG as being a crucial acquisition that would not only provide their over- crowded athletics department with more space, but help build an identity for the school’s teams. Under the current agreement, the Gardens’ main floor will be home to a Loblaws grocery store, while the facility’s upper levels would house a full ath- letic centre, including basketball courts and a hockey arena that would be home to the university’s varsity teams. While the Loblaws grocery store is set to open this fall, Levy said the athletic facility is set to open this winter. aed oa ee + ARAUJO BACK IN GREEN AND GOLD The Timberwolves Bring Back an Old Friend and Gain Two New Ones SHELBY PETERSEN EDITOR IN CHIEF Jose araujo will once again play for the twolves After taking the last season off, Jose Araujo will once again be a part of the T- Wolves lineup. The UNBC Timberwolves combo guard hails from Toronto, Ontario, as well as holding citizen ship in El Salvador. Araujo also competes internationally with El Salvador’s men’s national team. Jose was a key member of the Timberwolves during the 2009/2010 season and played a cru- cial role in helping the team win the 2010 CCAA national championship. “Jose will bring a lot to this group,” commented UNBC Head Coach, Todd Jordan. “He scores in bunches and is without a doubt one of the best perimeter shooters in the country. His experience playing in big games both with UNBC in the past and internationally with El Salvador will give us a battle tested veteran who has a proven track record of per- forming well in big moments. He was also a great teammate when he was here and the guys who played with him are happy to have his presence back in our locker room.” During Araujo’s original run at UNBC he was a first team BCCAA all-star as well as a first team all-star at the 2010 CCAA National Champi- onships. He averaged 16.4 ppg in just over 23 minutes per game. He shot 47% from the three-point line and 82% from the free throw line. UNBC In addition to the return of Araujo, the men’s basketball team has also signed some fresh new players who will not only add some height to the team, but talent as well. Former Thomson Rivers University forward Charles Barton was added to the roster in May. Bar- ton, who is coming off of a year away from playing collegiate basketball, played for Clarence Fulton High School in Vernon, British Columbia alongside current T- Wolf Joel Ryba- chuk. Barton will definitely add some much needed height to the T-Wolves standing in at 674”. Coming off a strong season as a point guard for the AAA BC high school boys basketball champion R.C. Palmer Griffins, Billy Cheng is also set to hit the court with the men’s team this fall. At 5’7” Cheng aver- aged 12 points per game, 6.5 assists per game, and 2.5 steals per game in his senior year. With his long list of accolades including MVP of the lower mainland championships and co-MVP of the Richmond League, Cheng is sure to add talent and skill to the 2011/2012 Timberwolves line up. The 5’7” guard will join 6°10” big man Kevan Madsen of Prince George, BC and 66” forward Gabe Aubertin of Kettle Falls, WA in what is shaping up to be a very strong recruiting class for Timberwolves Head Coach Todd Jordan.