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{{Short description|Athletic program of the University of Western Ontario}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}{{Infobox college athletics
| name =  Western Mustangs
| logo = Western Ontario Mustangs logo.png
| logo_width = 150
| university = [[University of Western Ontario]]
| first year = {{start date and age|1913}}
| association = [[U Sports]]
| conference = [[Ontario University Athletics]]
| director = Christine Stapleton
| location = [[London, Ontario|London]], [[Ontario]]
| teams= 46 
| mens_teams   = 23
| womens_teams = 23
| coed_teams   = 
| stadium = [[Western Alumni Stadium]]
| basketballarena  = Alumni Hall 
| volleyballarena = Alumni Hall<br>[[Thompson Recreation and Athletic Centre|Thompson Arena]]<ref>[https://westernmustangs.ca/sports/womens-volleyball/schedule 2024-25 volleyball schedule]</ref>
| icehockeyarena  = Thompson Arena
| baseballfield   = [[Labatt Park]]
| softballstadium   = Stronach Park <ref>[https://westernmustangs.ca/sports/softball/schedule 2024-25 softball schedule]</ref>
| soccerstadium    = Western Alumni Stadium <ref>[https://westernmustangs.ca/sports/mens-soccer/schedule 2024-25 soccer schedule]</ref>
| lacrossestadium  = Mustangs Field <ref>[https://westernmustangs.ca/sports/mens-lacrosse/schedule 2024-25 lacrosse schedule]</ref>
| natatorium       = Western Student Recreation Centre 
| tenniscourt                 =
| sailingvenue                =
| rowingvenue                 =
| golfcourse                  =
| trackvenue                  = Thompson Arena <ref>[https://westernmustangs.ca/sports/track-and-field/schedule 2024-25 track & field schedule]</ref>
| othersite label = Rugby venue
| othersite = Alumni Field <ref>[https://westernmustangs.ca/sports/womens-rugby/schedule 2024-25 rugby schedule]</ref>
| mascot = J.W. the Mustang 
| nickname = Mustangs
| fightsong = [[Western Mustang Band#Western Song|"Western"]]
| colour1=Purple|hex1=4F2683|colour2=White|hex2=FFFFFF
| pageurl = https://westernmustangs.ca/
| altlogo = [[file:Western mustangs wmark.png|200px]]
}}

The '''Western Mustangs''' are the athletic teams that represent [[University of Western Ontario|Western University]] in [[London, Ontario]], Canada. The school's athletic program supports 46 [[Varsity team|varsity]] teams. Their [[mascot]] is a [[Mustang]] named J.W. and the school colours are [[purple]] and [[white]]. The university's varsity teams compete in the [[Ontario University Athletics]] conference and the national [[U Sports]] organization.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://oua.ca/members/Western/index|title=Ontario University Athletics (OUA)|website=oua.ca|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://usports.ca/hq/member-universities|title=Member Universities|website=U SPORTS HQ|language=en|access-date=2020-02-14|archive-date=October 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004165230/http://english.cis-sic.ca/members/canada_west|url-status=dead}}</ref> Western University offers 21 varsity sports for men and 19 for women which compete in the OUA conference.<ref name=":0" /> The university also offers [[cheerleading]] (co-ed and all-girls), women's [[ringette]], women's [[softball]], [[table tennis]] (men's and women's) and [[Ultimate (sport)|ultimate frisbee]] (open-class and women's), which compete outside the OUA conference, in sport-specific conferences and divisions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://westernmustangs.ca/|title=Western Mustangs Sports - Official Athletics Website|website=Western Mustangs Sports|language=en|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.powercheerleading.com/Nationals/|title=The Home of UONCC|website=www.powercheerleading.com|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.canadianuniversityringette.ca/|title=Welcome to www.canadianuniversityringette.ca|website=www.canadianuniversityringette.ca|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.oiwfa.org/wb/pages/about-us.php|title=Ontario Intercollegiate Women's Fastpitch Association|website=www.oiwfa.org|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nctta.org/content/teams|title=Teams {{!}} NCTTA|website=www.nctta.org|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://canadianultimate.com/en_ca/canadian-university-ultimate-championships-cuuc-series|title=Canadian University Ultimate Championships (CUUC) Series|website=Ultimate Canada|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref>

The current athletic director is Christine Stapleton, who started at the university in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://westerngazette.ca/sports/new-athletic-director-brings-ample-experience-to-western-s-sport/article_8e8c7558-3b25-11e7-ad7e-cf06a41f9e74.html|title=New athletic director brings ample experience to Western's Sport and Recreation Services|last=McGavin|first=Jordan|website=The Gazette • Western University's Student Newspaper|language=en|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref> Her predecessor, Therese Quigley, held the role for 8 years starting in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mediarelations.uwo.ca/2016/09/15/quigley-announces-retirement-storied-career-university-athletics/|title=Quigley announces her retirement from a storied career in university athletics |date=2016-09-15|department=Media Relations|website=Western University|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref>

Many Western varsity programs lead Canadian universities in the number of championships won. The women's volleyball team has won 10 provincial championships, the rowing team has won 23 provincial championships, the basketball teams have won 24 provincial championships, the football team has won 31 provincial championships and the men's squash team has won 45 provincial championships, with 36 being consecutive. The [[Western Mustangs football]] team has won eight [[Vanier Cup]] national championships, in 1971, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1989, 1994, 2017 and 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://montrealgazette.com/sports/football/laval-rouge-et-or-loses-vanier-cup-to-western-mustangs|title=2017 Vanier Cup: Western Mustangs beat Laval Rouge et Or 39-17 |website=Montreal Gazette |first=Gregory |last=Strong |agency=The Canadian Press |date=2017-11-26|language=en|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref>

Additionally, the [[cheerleading]] team has won the national championship 33 times, including 24 consecutive.<ref>{{cite news|last=Heuvelmans|first=Jordan|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/western-cheerleading-coach-celebrates-forty-years-as-cheerleading-coach-london-ontario-1.5339407|title=Meet coach Trace: He's been leading Western's cheerleading teams for 40 years|date=November 3, 2019|work=CBC News}}</ref> The university also has the largest university [[Western Mustang Band|marching band]] in Canada.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1460123715751| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190403095056/https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1460123715751| archive-date = 2019-04-03| title = Big night for the Western Mustangs marching band - CBC Player}}</ref>

==Varsity teams==
The University of Western Ontario's Athletics program currently supports 46 varsity programs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oua.ca/sports/2011/7/15/Directory%20Western.aspx |title=Ontario University Athletics - Directory: Western Mustangs |access-date=2013-09-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930212250/http://oua.ca/sports/2011/7/15/Directory%20Western.aspx |archive-date=2013-09-30 }}</ref>

While technically not considered a varsity team, Western has a university [[ringette]] team which competes annually in the Canadian national [[Ringette in Canada#University Challenge Cup|University Challenge Cup]].
{| class="wikitable"; style= "text-align: "
! width= 150px style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Western Mustangs|border=1|color= white }}"| Men's sports
! width= 150px style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Western Mustangs|border=1|color= white }}"| Women's sports
|-
|Badminton
|Badminton
|-
|Baseball
| Basketball
|-
|Basketball
|Cross Country
|-
|Cross Country
|Curling
|-
|Curling
|Fencing
|-
|Fencing
|Field Hockey
|-
|  [[Western Mustangs football|Football]]
|Figure Skating
|-
|Figure Skating
|  Golf
|-
|Golf
|[[Western Mustangs women's ice hockey|Ice Hockey]]
|-
|[[Western Mustangs men's ice hockey|Ice Hockey]]
|Lacrosse
|-
|Lacrosse
|Ringette
|-
|Rowing
|Rowing
|-
| Rugby
|Rugby
|-
|Soccer
|Soccer
|-
|Squash
|Softball
|-
|Swimming
|Squash
|-
| Table Tennis
|Swimming
|-
|Tennis
|Table Tennis
|-
|Track & Field
|Tennis
|-
|Ultimate
|Track & Field
|-
|Volleyball
|Ultimate
|-
|Waterpolo
|Volleyball
|-
|Wrestling
|Wrestling
|}

=== Badminton ===
Badminton started in the early 1930s at Western as a club, but transitioned to a varsity sport once recognized in the OUA. The team consistently places in the top 3 during OUA championships, and has won 10 OUA championships, with the last one being in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://westernmustangs.ca/news/2014/3/9/BADMIT_0309140751.aspx|title=Mustangs win 2014 OUA Badminton Championship|website=Western Mustangs Sports|language=en|access-date=2020-02-15}}</ref>

During the 1970s, the team saw much acclaim. [[Jamie Paulson]] attended Western at this time and dominated in both singles and doubles at [[OUAA]] tournaments in the 1970–71 season, winning 33 out of 36 matches.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book|last=Gage|first=Bob|title=Mustang Tales|publisher=W-Club|year=2000|isbn=9780968938607|location=London, Ontario, Canada|pages=3}}</ref> This streak continued even after Paulson's departure, and Western won the [[OUAA]] badminton championships in 1970–71, 1972–73, 1975–76, 1976–77, and 1977–78 seasons. More recently, former alumni [[Alexandra Bruce (badminton)|Alex Bruce]] competed in the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] as well as win a gold medal at the [[2011 Pan American Games]].

=== Baseball ===
The OUA adopted baseball into the conference in 2001 and since then, the men's baseball team have won 6 total OUA championships in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2015 and 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://westernmustangs.ca/news/2016/10/14/baseball-oua-championship-2016.aspx|title=Mustangs repeat as OUA Champions with 6-3 win over Brock|website=Western Mustangs Sports|language=en|access-date=2020-02-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://westernmustangs.ca/news/2013/12/27/BB_1227130323.aspx|title=Mustangs Baseball Indoor Training Camp|website=Western Mustangs Sports|language=en|access-date=2020-02-15}}</ref> The current head coach is Mike Lumley, a former [[Detroit Tigers]] fifth round draft pick. Lumley has been named OUA Coach of the Year in 2001, 2004, 2005, and 2009.

=== Basketball ===

==== Men's basketball ====
The men's basketball team plays its home games in Alumni Hall gymnasium. The Mustangs last won a conference championship in 2001–02, for a total of 25 OUA conference titles since 1908.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://oua.ca/sports/mbkb/champions|title=Ontario University Athletics (OUA)|website=oua.ca|access-date=2020-02-15}}</ref> The men's team has won 1 national championship in the 1990–91 season. The current head coach of the Mustangs is Brad Campbell, who has been the head coach since 2006. Campbell took over after the previous coach Craig Boydell. Boydell had a 16-year reign and brought the team to their only national title in the 1990–91 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lib.uwo.ca/archives/virtualexhibits/metrasmuseum/exhibits/show/basketball/comeback1985-2005/craig-boydell/|title=JP Metras Sports Museum|website=www.lib.uwo.ca|access-date=2020-02-15}}</ref>

Men's basketball originally started in 1903 as a team of [[Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry|medical school]] students. The team entered into the Ontario Amateur Basketball Association in 1911. Western arts students started a team in 1912. Western officially formed a unified Athletic Association and created one central team to represent the university as a whole in 1914.<ref name=":3" />

==== Women's basketball ====
Western's women's basketball team has won 3 conference championships,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://oua.ca/sports/wbkb/past_champions|title=Ontario University Athletics (OUA)|website=oua.ca|access-date=2020-02-15}}</ref> in 1971–72, 1972–73 and 1973–74. The 1973–74 season became notable as the team was undefeated in league play.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lib.uwo.ca/archives/virtualexhibits/metrasmuseum/exhibits/show/women-s-athletics/basketball/looking-forward--1970-2000/|title=JP Metras Sports Museum|website=www.lib.uwo.ca|access-date=2020-02-15}}</ref>

===Football===
{{Main|Western Mustangs football}}The Western Mustangs football team first started in 1929 and has become one of the most successful football teams in Canadian university sports. The team has won 8 [[Vanier Cup]] national titles and appeared 15 times at the championship, with the last win being in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://usports.ca/en/sports/football/m/news/2017/11/637973358/vanier-cup|title=Vanier Cup: Western Mustangs gallop to championship victory|website=U SPORTS|language=en|access-date=2020-02-25}}</ref> The Mustangs have also won 33 provincial [[Yates Cup]] titles,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://oua.ca/sports/fball/past_champions|title=Ontario University Athletics (OUA)|website=oua.ca|access-date=2020-02-25}}</ref> with 49 appearances.

Notable former players include: [[Joe Krol]], [[Frank Cosentino]], [[Andy Fantuz]], [[Dick Suderman]], [[Bob McFarlane (athlete)|Bob McFarlane]], [[Frank Turville]], [[Vaughn Martin]], <dfn>[[Daryl Waud]] and [[Tim Tindale]].</dfn>

The current coach is [[Greg Marshall (running back)|Greg Marshall]] and has been with the team since 2007.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lfpress.com/sports/football/marshall-looking-for-coaches-but-willing-to-wait-for-right-fit|title=Marshall looking for coaches but willing to wait for right fit |website=The London Free Press |last1=Vanderhoeven |first1=Paul |date=2019-01-31|language=en|access-date=2020-02-25}}</ref> As of recent years, the team has been posting a 76–11 regular season record between 2008 and 2018.

=== Ice hockey ===

==== Men's hockey ====
{{Main|Western Mustangs men's ice hockey}}

==== Women's hockey ====
{{Main|Western Mustangs women's ice hockey}}

=== Rowing ===
Both the men's and women's team compete in the OUA provincial league as well as a part of the national [[Canadian University Rowing Association]]. These teams have become dominating powers in Canadian university rowing, achieving 56 provincial OUA titles and 14 national titles combined.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.oua.ca/sports/rowing/champions|title=Ontario University Athletics (OUA)|website=www.oua.ca|access-date=2020-03-01}}</ref> The program has also included over 45 [[Rowing at the Summer Olympics|Canadian Olympic team]] members as athletes, coaching staff and trainers.<ref name="JP Metras Sports Museum">{{Cite web|url=https://www.lib.uwo.ca/archives/virtualexhibits/metrasmuseum/exhibits/show/olympians/westernolympians/|title=JP Metras Sports Museum|website=www.lib.uwo.ca|access-date=2020-03-01}}</ref>

The teams are based out of the Doug Wells Rowing Centre on [[Fanshawe Lake]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://fde.uwo.ca/archives/FBH/FBH.html|title=Fanshawe Boathouse|website=fde.uwo.ca|access-date=2020-03-01}}</ref>

In 2019, it was announced that Western will be the hosting university for the 2022 [[International University Sports Federation]] (FISU) [[World University Rowing Championships|World University Rowing Championship]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.westernu.ca/2019/12/london-named-host-of-rowing-championships/|title=London named host of rowing championships |first=Jason |last=Winders |date=2019-12-06|website=Western News|language=en-CA|access-date=2020-03-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/fisu-world-university-rowing-championships-london-ontario-1.5389035|title=London to host World University Rowing Championships|work=CBC News}}</ref> The competition will be based out of [[Fanshawe Lake]] in [[London, Ontario]].

==== Men's rowing ====
The men's varsity rowing team joined the OUA in 1957 and since then has become a dominating team in the league. The team has won 29 provincial OUA championships, with the last one being in the 2018–19 season.<ref name=":5"/> The team competes nationally as part of the [[Canadian University Rowing Association]] and has won 6 national titles since 1997.

Over 20 Western rowing athletes and coaching staff have competed in the [[Olympic Games|Olympics]]. Notable Western rowing Olympians include [[Roger Jackson (rower)|Roger Jackson]], Al Morrow, Mike Murphy, and [[Phil Monckton]].<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lfpress.com/2018/01/23/fight-still-on-to-keep-high-performance-national-rowing-program-in-london/wcm/d179f350-25d7-488e-3a76-d703b0e61859|title=Fight still on to keep high-performance national rowing program in London |website=The London Free Press |first1=Ryan |last=Pyette |date=2018-01-23|language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711192154/https://www.lfpress.com/2018/01/23/fight-still-on-to-keep-high-performance-national-rowing-program-in-london/wcm/d179f350-25d7-488e-3a76-d703b0e61859 |archive-date=11 July 2018}}</ref>

On February 8, 2019, 10 members of the team won a rowing world record for the fastest time to row 1 million meters.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldrowing.com/news/how-indoor-row-one-million-metres-three-days|title=How to indoor row one million metres in three days|website=worldrowing.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-01}}</ref> This group rowed on an indoor [[Indoor rower|erg machine]] for 62 hours, 27 minutes and 7 seconds, with an average pace of 1:52.4.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://westerngazette.ca/sports/western-mustangs-rowers-are-officially-world-record-holders/article_c190efea-28ab-11e9-8846-1bee98c04d14.html|title=Western Mustangs rowers are officially world record holders|website=The Gazette • Western University's Student Newspaper|language=en|access-date=2020-03-01}}</ref> The record category was for men's 19-and-under age group.

==== Women's rowing ====
The women's rowing team is the most decorated team in the OUA women's rowing league and has won 27 provincial titles, with the longest consecutive win-streak of 6 from 2013 to 2019.<ref name=":5" /> The team first started in 1969 as a recreational club, but then joined the OUA as a varsity program in 1973, once the league added the sport.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://westernmustangs.ca/news/2019/9/13/womens-rowing-celebrates-50-years.aspx|title=Women's Rowing celebrates 50 years|website=Western Mustangs Sports|language=en|access-date=2020-03-01}}</ref> They have also won 8 national titles, with the last one being in 2016.

Notable Olympians include [[Lesley Thompson|Lesley Thompson-Willie]], [[Heather Clarke]], [[Angela Schneider]], [[Silken Laumann]], [[Marnie McBean]], [[Heather Mandoli]], [[Rachelle Viinberg]], and [[Wendy Wiebe]].<ref name="JP Metras Sports Museum"/>

=== Volleyball ===

==== Men's volleyball ====
[[File:2025 Volleyball, York Lions vs Western Mustangs (OUA Bronze).jpg|thumb|York v Western, 2025 men's volleyball game]]
The [[U Sports men's volleyball|men's volleyball]] team first joined the OUA in the league's inaugural 1965–66 volleyball season and are currently part of the West division.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oua.ca/sports/mvball/2019-20/standings|title=2019-20 OUA Men's Volleyball Standings - Ontario University Athletics (OUA)|website=www.oua.ca|access-date=2020-02-29}}</ref> They currently play home games in Alumni Hall. The team has won 5 provincial OUA conference championships, in 1967–68, 1968–69, 1970–71, 1975–76, and 1978–79.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oua.ca/sports/mvball/champions|title=Ontario University Athletics (OUA)|website=www.oua.ca|access-date=2020-02-29}}</ref> In 2013–14, the Mustangs won an OUA silver medal, then lost to [[Alberta Golden Bears and Pandas|Alberta]] in the Canadian [[U Sports men's volleyball championship|U Sports championship]] final, bringing home a national silver medal.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.lfpress.com/2018/02/07/mustang-volleyball-western-men-find-right-balance-women-push-for-medal/wcm/ce0288f8-859f-39a7-a2b1-7c7b746f47ea|title=Mustang volleyball: Western men find right balance, women push for medal |website=The London Free Press |first1=Morris Dalla |last=Costa |date=2018-02-07|language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317010630/https://www.lfpress.com/2018/02/07/mustang-volleyball-western-men-find-right-balance-women-push-for-medal/wcm/ce0288f8-859f-39a7-a2b1-7c7b746f47ea |archive-date=17 March 2018}}</ref>

The current coach of the Mustangs volleyball team is Jim Sage, who has been coaching the team since 1997. He won the [[Ontario University Athletics|OUA]] Coach of the Year title in 2003.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://westernmustangs.ca/sports/mens-volleyball/roster/coaches/jim-sage/2056|title=Jim Sage - Men's Volleyball Coach|website=Western Mustangs Sports|language=en|access-date=2020-02-29}}</ref>

==== Women's volleyball ====
The [[U Sports women's volleyball|women's volleyball]] team plays in the OUA West division. The team has won 11 provincial OUA conference championships, with the last one being in 2010–11.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://oua.ca/sports/wvball/champions|title=Ontario University Athletics (OUA)|website=oua.ca|access-date=2020-02-29}}</ref> They have also won three national [[U Sports women's volleyball championship|U Sports championships]], in 1971–72, 1974–75, and 1975–76.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://usports.ca/en/championships/volleyball/f/history|title=History|website=U SPORTS|language=en|access-date=2020-02-29|archive-date=November 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221112234204/https://usports.ca/en/championships/volleyball/f/history|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Prior to the OUA and U Sports recognizing women's volleyball in 1971–72, Western was known to be successful in the national [[U Sports|Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Union]]. The team joined this league in 1949 and won 13 national titles from 1953 to 1970.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.lib.uwo.ca/archives/virtualexhibits/metrasmuseum/exhibits/show/women-s-athletics/volleyball/|title=JP Metras Sports Museum|website=www.lib.uwo.ca|access-date=2020-02-29}}</ref> Former Western Mustangs athletic director Therese Quigley played on the 1973–74 championship team.<ref name=":4" />

== Sport clubs ==
The Recreation Sport Clubs at Western are administered by the Western Campus Recreation, a division of the Athletics Department. There are 18 sport clubs and include alternative sports such as martial arts. Each club is a student-led organization, with some additional assistance from the Athletics Department. The clubs are sanctioned under the department and have student executive leadership teams who handle all club operations, financing, activities, and equipment.

The sport clubs at Western include:{{col-begin}}
{{col-3}}
*Aikido
*Badminton
*Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
*Cricket
*Curling
*Dragon Boat{{col-3}}
*Equestrian
*Fencing
*Judo
*Karate
*Kendo
*Outdoors
{{col-3}}
*Seikido
*Squash
*Table Tennis
*Taekwondo
*Triathlon
*Tennis
{{col-end}}

== Athletic facilities ==
There are a number of gyms, facilities, and rooms that teams use for practicing and games.

=== Western Alumni Stadium ===
{{Main|Western Alumni Stadium}}
[[File:Aeronoptics Alumni Stadium at Western University.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of Western Alumni Stadium, the second-largest in the [[Ontario University Athletics|OUA]]]]
The Western Alumni Stadium (formerly, TD Stadium) was built in 2000 and has a capacity of 8,000. It is the home of the Western Mustangs [[Western Mustangs football|football]] and lacrosse teams. The field size abides by [[Canadian Football League|CFL]] regulations and features an [[Artificial turf|infill turf]] playing surface with a 2" rubberized e-layer. Surrounding the field is an eight-lane, 400m [[Outdoor Track|outdoor track]] and [[Long jump|long-jump]] pit.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://westernmustangs.ca/sports/2010/6/9/Facilities_0609105641.aspx|title=TD Stadium|website=Western Mustangs Sports|language=en|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref>

=== Mustangs Field ===
Mustangs Field was opened in 2013 and acts as the playing surface for the soccer and lacrosse teams.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://westernmustangs.ca/sports/2014/7/15/Facilities_0715143329.aspx|title=Mustangs Field and Alumni Field|website=Western Mustangs Sports|language=en|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref> The field can seat up to 600 people in the stand-alone [[bleacher]]s.

=== Alumni Field ===
Alumni Field was opened in 2013 and is the primary field for the men's and women's rugby teams. It is one of a few fields in Canada that is certified through the [[International Rugby Board]].<ref name=":1" /> The field can seat up to 600 people in stand-alone [[bleacher]]s.

=== Alumni Hall ===
Alumni Hall is a multi-sport [[auditorium]] and [[gym]]. It is currently has the playing court for the Western basketball and volleyball teams. It was originally opened in 1968 and is where the John P Metras Sports Museum is located. In addition to the main gymnasium, the lower floors of the building house the gym for the wrestling teams as well as a dance studio. There are several classroom facilities within the building. The [[Western Mustang Band]] is also housed in Alumni Hall.<ref name=ah>[https://westernmustangs.ca/sports/2010/6/9/Facilities_0609102757.aspx Alumni Hall] on westernmustangs.ca</ref>

In addition to the gym, the main auditorium has a large stage and is used as the primary location for [[convocation]] and other official University ceremonies. The auditorium can seat 1,200 in the mezzanine seats, and 2,274 total if additional chairs are set up on the court.<ref name=ah/>

=== Thompson Arena and Indoor Track ===
{{Main|Thompson Recreation and Athletic Centre}}
[[File:Thompson Recreation and Athletic Centre - London, ON.jpg|thumb|Thompson Arena, ice hockey venue]]
The [[Thompson Recreation and Athletic Centre|Thompson Arena]] was built in 1971 and has an [[National Hockey League|NHL-sized]] [[ice rink]] as well as an [[Indoor Track|indoor track]] around the rink. The men's and women's ice hockey teams use the arena alongside the ringette and figure skating teams, while the track and field team use the 200m Mondo indoor track surface. The arena seating capacity is 3,615.

The indoor track is used primarily by sprinters, distance runners, throwers, and jumpers. During indoor [[Track and field|track and field meets]], the ice surface is covered and the inner rink becomes a field surface for activities such as [[pole vault]] and [[high jump]]. As of September 2019, the track was re-surfaced and updated.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://westernmustangs.ca/news/2019/7/8/mustangs-thompson-arena-track-update-completed.aspx|title=Thompson Arena track update completed|website=Western Mustangs Sports|language=en|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref> This update was following criticism on the previous track's degrading condition and overuse.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://runningmagazine.ca/the-scene/western-university-indoor-track/|title=One of Canada's wealthiest universities still using hockey rink as indoor track for athletics program|date=2018-02-12|website=Canadian Running Magazine|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://westerngazette.ca/sports/reasons-western-needs-a-new-indoor-track/article_354bbe3e-b5ae-11e5-a654-739e20fff5fd.html|title=5 reasons Western needs a new indoor track|last=Gain|first=No Shane No|website=The Gazette • Western University's Student Newspaper|language=en|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref>

The annual Don Wright track meet is hosted in the Thompson Arena.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://westerngazette.ca/sports/western-track-and-field-cleans-up-at-don-wright-meet/article_58356cfa-ff7c-11e7-a320-67cdb8fb96a9.html|title=Western track and field cleans up at Don Wright Meet|last=Clarke|first=Charlie O'Connor|website=The Gazette • Western University's Student Newspaper|language=en|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref>

=== Western Student Recreation Centre ===
The Western Student Recreation Centre (known as the Rec Centre or Western Rec) is a multi-level gymnasium facility and aquatic centre. It houses multiple basketball courts, volleyball courts, and squash courts, as well as a large fitness area with two floors of [[weight training]] equipment, treadmills, and [[Indoor cycling|fitness studios]]. The facility was opened in February 2009.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.uwo.ca/campusrec/about/wsrc.html|title=WSRC - Sport and Recreation Services - Western University|website=www.uwo.ca|language=en|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref> It is directly attached to the [[Thompson Recreation and Athletic Centre|Thompson Arena]].

The Western varsity [[Swimming (sport)|swim team]] and [[water polo]] team uses the 8-lane, 50m pool for training as well as hosting swim meets and competitions.

The Athletic Department offices and administration is housed within the Rec Centre.

This large facility comes as a result of a student-led initiative in 2006.<ref name=":2" /> Western students held a [[referendum]] to fund a majority of the building's $35.7-million cost.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://extraordinary.westernu.ca/impact/stories/fac-rec.html|title=Western Student Recreation Centre|website=extraordinary.westernu.ca|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref> From this, the undergraduate and graduate students pledged to donate a total of $101-million over 30 years for the initial purchase, building maintenance and support, with $14.8-million specifically funding undergraduate and graduate student bursaries. This was announced as the largest contribution ever from a student body to a Canadian university.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.giving.westernu.ca/your-impact/publications/impact-western/winter-2008/biggest-student-pledge.html|title=Canada's biggest student pledge enriches Canada's best student experience - Giving to Western|website=www.giving.westernu.ca|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref>

=== Thames Hall ===
[[File:Thames Hall at the University of Western Ontario.jpg|thumb|Thames Hall at the University of Western Ontario|alt=Three-storey building constructed with a sandstone exterior, and an archway over the front entrance]]
Thames Hall was completed in 1949, led by planning and fundraising efforts of [[J. Howard Crocker]], the director of the university's physical education department.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uwo.ca/olympic/activities/crocker.html|title=John Howard Crocker Olympic Studies Lecture|year=2022|website=[[University of Western Ontario]]|access-date=January 28, 2023|archive-date=May 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528185243/https://www.uwo.ca/olympic/activities/crocker.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite thesis|last=Keyes|first=Mary Eleanor|title=John Howard Crocker LL. D., 1870–1959|publisher=[[University of Western Ontario]]|date=October 1964|location=London, Ontario|oclc=61578234|pages=118–123}}</ref>

Before the Western Rec Centre was completed in 2009, Thames Hall was the facility used for athletic department and had a pool, gymnasium, and athletic training facilities. After completion, Thames Hall was refurbished to convert the pool into classrooms. As of 2019, Thames Hall is undergoing major renovations and they are set to be complete June 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uwo.ca/fm/projects/capital_projects/thames_hall.html|title=Thames Hall Renovation - Facilities Management - Western University|website=www.uwo.ca|language=en|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref> The newly renovated building will house Student Health and Psychological Services, Sports and Recreation, and Student Learning and Engagement, as well as house the [[Kinesiology]] department.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Keri |last=Ferguson|url=https://news.westernu.ca/2018/11/helping-students-thrive-drives-new-centre/|title=Helping students thrive drives new centre |date=2018-11-08|website=Western News|language=en-CA|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref>

== Olympians ==
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|+Western University list of Olympians
!First
!Last
!Year
!Sport
|-
|Chuck
|Dalton
|1952
|Basketball
|-
|Bill
|Pataky
|1952
|Basketball
|-
|Glen
|Pettinger
|1952
|Basketball
|-
|Bob
|Phibbs
|1952
|Basketball
|-
|Harry
|Wade
|1952
|Basketball
|-
|George
|Wearring
|1952
|Basketball
|-
|Coulter
|Osbourne
|1956
|Basketball
|-
|Barry
|Ager
|1960
|Basketball
|-
|Don
|McCrae
|1960
|Basketball
|-
|Ray
|Monnot
|1960
|Basketball
|-
|Barry
|Howson
|1964
|Basketball
|-
|Paul
|Thomas
|1952
|Basketball (coach)
|-
|Don
|McCrae
|1984
|Basketball (coach)
|-
|Vic
|Emery
|1964
|Bobsleigh
|-
|Mike
|Young
|1968
|Bobsleigh
|-
|David
|Leuty
|1980
|Bobsleigh
|-
|David
|Leuty
|1988
|Bobsleigh
|-
|Chris
|Lori
|1988
|Bobsleigh
|-
|Chris
|Lori
|1992
|Bobsleigh
|-
|Chris
|Lori
|1996
|Bobsleigh
|-
|Chris
|Lori
|1998
|Bobsleigh
|-
|Lamont
|Gordon
|1964
|Bobsleigh
|-
|Bob
|Storey
|1968
|Bobsleigh
|-
|Bob
|Storey
|1972
|Bobsleigh
|-
|Bob
|Storey
|1976
|Bobsleigh (coach)
|-
|Allan
|Maclachlan
|1980
|Bobsleigh
|-
|Allan
|Maclachlan
|1984
|Bobsleigh
|-
|Barb
|Olmsted
|1984
|Canoeing
|-
|Barb
|Olmsted
|1988
|Canoeing
|-
|Eric
|Smith
|1984
|Canoeing
|-
|Eric
|Smith
|1988
|Canoeing
|-
|Skip
|Phoenix
|1976
|Diving
|-
|Skip
|Phoenix
|1988
|Diving
|-
|Skip
|Phoenix
|1992
|Diving (coach)
|-
|Bob
|Foxcroft
|1964
|Fencing
|-
|Bob
|Foxcroft
|1972
|Fencing
|-
|Andrew
|Griffiths
|2000
|Field Hockey
|-
|Lynn
|Nightingale
|1976
|Figure Skating
|-
|Mike
|Inglis
|1992
|Gymnastics
|-
|Brian
|Conacher
|1964
|Hockey
|-
|Roger
|Jackson
|1964
|Rowing
|-
|Roger
|Jackson
|1968
|Rowing
|-
|Roger
|Jackson
|1972
|Rowing
|-
|Jim
|Walker
|1972
|Rowing
|-
|Mike
|Neary
|1972
|Rowing
|-
|Mike
|Neary
|1976
|Rowing
|-
|Monica
|Draeger
|1976
|Rowing
|-
|Marnie
|McBean
|1992
|Rowing
|-
|Marnie
|McBean
|1996
|Rowing
|-
|Marnie
|McBean
|2000
|Rowing
|-
|Nancy
|Higgins
|1976
|Rowing
|-
|Al
|Morrow
|1976
|Rowing
|-
|Becky
|Stevenson
|1976
|Rowing
|-
|Andy
|Van Ruyven
|1976
|Rowing
|-
|Phil
|Monckton
|1976
|Rowing
|-
|Phil
|Monckton
|1984
|Rowing
|-
|Heather
|Clarke
|1980
|Rowing
|-
|Heather
|Clarke
|1984
|Rowing
|-
|Heather
|Clarke
|1988
|Rowing
|-
|Lesley
|Thompson-Willie
|1980
|Rowing
|-
|Lesley
|Thompson-Willie
|1984
|Rowing
|-
|Lesley
|Thompson-Willie
|1988
|Rowing
|-
|Lesley
|Thompson-Willie
|1992
|Rowing
|-
|Lesley
|Thompson-Willie
|1996
|Rowing
|-
|Lesley
|Thompson-Willie
|2000
|Rowing
|-
|Lesley
|Thompson-Willie
|2008
|Rowing
|-
|Barb
|Armbrust
|1984
|Rowing
|-
|Cathy
|Lund
|1984
|Rowing
|-
|Angela
|Schneider
|1984
|Rowing
|-
|John
|Houlding
|1984
|Rowing
|-
|John
|Houlding
|1988
|Rowing
|-
|Harold
|Backer
|1984
|Rowing
|-
|Harold
|Backer
|1988
|Rowing
|-
|Harold
|Backer
|1992
|Rowing
|-
|Silken
|Laumann
|1984
|Rowing
|-
|Silken
|Laumann
|1988
|Rowing
|-
|Silken
|Laumann
|1992
|Rowing
|-
|Silken
|Laumann
|1996
|Rowing
|-
|Jennifer
|(Walinga) Doey
|1988
|Rowing
|-
|Jennifer
|(Walinga) Doey
|1992
|Rowing
|-
|John
|Wallace
|1988
|Rowing
|-
|John
|Wallace
|1992
|Rowing
|-
|Brian
|Saunderson
|1992
|Rowing
|-
|Mike
|Forgeron
|1992
|Rowing
|-
|Mike
|Forgeron
|1996
|Rowing
|-
|Jeff
|Lay
|1996
|Rowing
|-
|Maria
|Maunder
|1996
|Rowing
|-
|Renata
|Troc
|1996
|Rowing
|-
|Wendy
|Wiebe
|1996
|Rowing
|-
|Michele
|Mellow
|1996
|Rowing
|-
|Iain
|Brambell
|2000
|Rowing
|-
|Iain
|Brambell
|2004
|Rowing
|-
|Iain
|Brambell
|2008
|Rowing
|-
|Jon
|Beare
|2000
|Rowing
|-
|Jon
|Beare
|2004
|Rowing
|-
|Jon
|Beare
|2008
|Rowing
|-
|Liam
|Parsons
|2008
|Rowing
|-
|Matt
|Jensen
|2008
|Rowing
|-
|Adam
|Kreek
|2008
|Rowing
|-
|Cam
|Sylvester
|2008
|Rowing
|-
|Jane
|Rumball
|2008
|Rowing
|-
|Romina
|Stefancic
|2008
|Rowing
|-
|Heather
|Mandoli
|2008
|Rowing
|-
|Rachelle
|de Jong
|2008
|Rowing
|-
|Kris
|Korzeniowski
|1976
|Rowing (coach)
|-
|Al
|Morrow
|1980
|Rowing (coach)
|-
|Al
|Morrow
|1984
|Rowing (coach)
|-
|Al
|Morrow
|1992
|Rowing (coach)
|-
|Al
|Morrow
|1996
|Rowing (coach)
|-
|Al
|Morrow
|2000
|Rowing (coach)
|-
|Al
|Morrow
|2008
|Rowing (coach)
|-
|Jimmy
|Joy
|1984
|Rowing (coach)
|-
|Jimmy
|Joy
|1988
|Rowing (coach)
|-
|Rudy
|Wieler
|1984
|Rowing (coach)
|-
|Bob
|Marlow
|1984
|Rowing (coach)
|-
|Ted
|Daigneault
|1984
|Rowing (coach)
|-
|Volker
|Nolte
|1996
|Rowing (coach)
|-
|Volker
|Nolte
|2000
|Rowing (coach)
|-
|Carolyn
|Caesar
|2008
|Rowing (thearpist)
|-
|John
|Kerr
|1984
|Sailing
|-
|Paul
|Shaw
|1996
|Shooting (Trap Shooting)
|-
|Duff
|Gibson
|2006
|Skeleton
|-
|Ken
|Read
|1976
|Skiing
|-
|Ken
|Read
|1980
|Skiing
|-
|Tom
|Overend
|1976
|Speed Skating
|-
|Mel
|Brock
|1912
|Track and Field
|-
|Alex
|Munroe
|1928
|Track and Field
|-
|Johnny
|Loaring
|1936
|Track and Field
|-
|Bill
|Larochelle
|1948
|Track and Field
|-
|Bob
|McFarlane
|1948
|Track and Field
|-
|Don
|McFarlane
|1948
|Track and Field
|-
|Jack
|Parry
|1948
|Track and Field
|-
|Rich
|Ferguson
|1952
|Track and Field
|-
|George
|Shepherd
|1960
|Track and Field
|-
|Grant
|McLaren
|1972
|Track and Field
|-
|Grant
|McLaren
|1976
|Track and Field
|-
|Wayne
|Yetman
|1976
|Track and Field
|-
|Susan
|(Bradley) Kameli
|1976
|Track and Field
|-
|Susan
|(Bradley) Kameli
|1980
|Track and Field
|-
|Susan
|(Bradley) Kameli
|1984
|Track and Field
|-
|Sharon
|Lane
|1980
|Track and Field
|-
|Jeff
|Glass
|1984
|Track and Field
|-
|Brigitte
|(Bittner) Reid
|1984
|Track and Field
|-
|Sue
|(French) Lee
|1984
|Track and Field
|-
|Sue
|(French) Lee
|1988
|Track and Field
|-
|Lizanne
|Bussieres
|1988
|Track and Field
|-
|Lizanne
|Bussieres
|1992
|Track and Field
|-
|May
|(Alizadeh) Allison
|1996
|Track and Field
|-
|Bruce
|Deacon
|1996
|Track and Field
|-
|Bruce
|Deacon
|2000
|Track and Field
|-
|Jessica
|Zelinka
|2008
|Track and Field
|-
|Murray
|McNie
|1936
|Track and Field (coach)
|-
|Murray
|McNie
|1948
|Track and Field (coach)
|-
|Andy
|McInnis
|1996
|Track and Field (coach)
|-
|John
|Allan
|1996
|Track and Field (coach)
|-
|Vickie
|Croley
|1996
|Track and Field (coach)
|-
|Kerry
|Klosterman
|1976
|Volleyball
|-
|Erminia
|Russo
|1996
|Volleyball
|-
|Cliff
|Barry
|1972
|Water Polo
|-
|Cliff
|Barry
|1976
|Water Polo
|-
|Peter
|Michienzi
|1968
|Wrestling
|-
|Ole
|Sorensen
|1972
|Wrestling
|-
|Egon
|Beiler
|1972
|Wrestling
|-
|Egon
|Beiler
|1976
|Wrestling
|-
|Egon
|Beiler
|1980
|Wrestling
|-
|Mike
|Barry
|1976
|Wrestling
|-
|Clive
|Llewellyn
|1976
|Wrestling
|-
|Clive
|Llewellyn
|1980
|Wrestling
|-
|Brian
|Renken
|1976
|Wrestling
|-
|Brian
|Renken
|1980
|Wrestling
|-
|Ray
|Takahashi
|1976
|Wrestling
|-
|Ray
|Takahashi
|1980
|Wrestling
|-
|Ray
|Takahashi
|1984
|Wrestling
|-
|Bob
|Robinson
|1980
|Wrestling
|-
|Sean
|Barry
|1980
|Wrestling
|-
|Glynn
|Leyshon
|1980
|Wrestling (coach)
|-
|Bob
|Thayer
|1976
|Wrestling (coach)
|-
|Bob
|Thayer
|1980
|Wrestling (coach)
|-
|Bill
|Mitchell
|1988
|Westling (manager)
|-
|Harry
|Geris
|1968
|Wrestling
|-
|Harry
|Geris
|1972
|Wrestling
|-
|Harry
|Geris
|1976
|Wrestling
|-
|Paul
|Thomson
|1988
|Yachting
|-
|Paul
|Thomson
|1992
|Yachting
|-
|Stuart
|Bruce
|1992
|Yachting
|-
|Ken
|Dool
|1992
|Yachting (coach)
|-
|Ken
|Dool
|1996
|Yachting (coach)
|-
|Ken
|Dool
|2000
|Yachting (coach)
|-
|Ken
|Dool
|2004
|Yachting (coach)
|-
|J. Howard
|Crocker
|1908
|Mission Staff
|}

===Athletes of the Year===
{|class="wikitable" width="60%"
! style= "{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Western Mustangs|border=1|color= white }}"| Year
! style= "{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Western Mustangs|border=1|color= white }}"| Female athlete
! style= "{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Western Mustangs|border=1|color= white }}"| Sport
! style= "{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Western Mustangs|border=1|color= white }}"| Male athlete
! style= "{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Western Mustangs|border=1|color= white }}"| Sport
|-
|2012–13||	Kelly Campbell|| Ice hockey|| Garrett May||	Volleyball
|- 
|2013–14||	Jenny Vaughan	||Basketball ||Will Finch||	Football
|- 
|2014–15||	Kelly Campbell|| Ice hockey|| Justin Scapinello||	Volleyball
|- 
|2015–16||	Paulina Bond	||Swimming|| Riley Bell	||Track & Field
|- 
|2016–17||	Kelsey Veltman || Volleyball ||Jack Sheffar||	Track & Field
|- 
|2017–18||	Larissa Werbicki ||	Rowing ||Jean-Gabriel Poulin	||Football
|- 
|2018–19|| April Clark  || Ice hockey|| Fraser Sopik|| Football
|-  
|2019–20||	Kate Current	|| Cross Country ||Sebastian Paulins||	 Swimming
|}

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{ccat}}
* {{Oweb}}

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