Bishop's University announced on November 24 that after having competed in Atlantic University Sport (AUS) for eight seasons, its football program will transition back to the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) for the 2026 season.
The move comes after careful consideration and constructive discussions with other AUS football programs regarding significant sector-wide financial constraints and increasing travel costs that are affecting the sustainability of all programs involved. In this context, the additional travel costs associated with Bishop's participation in the AUS could no longer be supported. It was therefore decided that the football participation agreement under which Bishop's was playing in the AUS, and which will expire on November 30, will not be renewed.
"We appreciate the very real financial pressures faced by our AUS partners and are grateful for the remarkable collaboration and support they have demonstrated for the past eight years", said Sebastien Lebel-Grenier, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Bishop's University. "This move is the next step in our program's storied history that dates back to the 1800s. We are happy to be returning to the RSEQ and offering our student-athletes the opportunity to compete with other Quebec football programs. Bishop's remains committed to providing an outstanding student-athlete experience and being an active contributor to Canadian university sports."
"We have greatly valued our time competing in the AUS," said Matt McBrine, Director of Athletics and Recreation at Bishop's University. "Our programs share many of the same values, and we have built strong relationships that extend beyond competition. Our student-athletes have enjoyed an outstanding experience. This transition reflects the financial realities facing universities across the country. We appreciate the collaboration with our AUS colleagues throughout this process and look forward to continuing to support one another as members of the U SPORTS football community. As we look ahead, we are excited to reconnect with the RSEQ and continue building competitive and meaningful experiences for our student-athletes."
"Postsecondary institutions in both regions are adapting to significant financial pressures," said AUS Interim CEO John Keefe. "Our football member schools in Atlantic Canada and Bishop's University Athletics approached this process collaboratively and with a clear understanding of the realities facing universities across the country. We have valued Bishop's contributions to the AUS, and we continue to hold Bishop's and its leadership in the highest regard. We wish the student-athletes and coaching staff continued success as they return to RSEQ competition."
Bishop's University competed in the AUS for eight seasons, winning the Loney Bowl as conference champions in 2024.
The RSEQ will begin its scheduling process for the 2026 season in the coming weeks.
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