U of T law students exhibited their prowess on the court -- basketball court, that is -- with a 30-19 win over Osgoode Hall Law School at the annual Black and Blue Charity Tip-Off at the Air Canada Centre last week. This is the Faculty of Law’s second win since the charity game was launched last year.
But the U of T Blues versus Osgoode Owls game was about more than just school rivalry. It was a charity fundraiser that raised $10,000 for the Lawyers Feed the Hungry Program, which serves about 1,350 meals weekly and is staffed by more than 100 volunteer lawyers, judges, law students, legal staff and friends, who cook, serve and clean up after the meals. Student organizers from both schools raised the money through ticket sales, sponsorship and a joint pub night fundraiser. Last year’s game raised $6,000 towards the program.
U of T third-year student and co-organizer Alex Gorka was thrilled with the turnout and the funds collected. “Lawyers come from a privileged place in society, and it’s good to see how everyone is coming together to support such a great cause,” he explains. “To give to a good cause is important, but it doesn’t hurt that we trounced Osgoode in the process!”
The audience was also treated to a half-time three-on-three showdown between faculty members from the two professional schools. U of T dream-team members included Anita Anand, Edward Iacobucci, Andrew Green, Michael Code and Ben Alarie, who played to loud and encouraging cheers and signs reading “Obey the Code” and “We love u Ben.” The audience encouragement must have worked: U of T faculty beat Osgoode 6-2.
Associate Dean Anand said the games were all in good fun and really showed each school’s spirit. “We should have more events like these,” says Anand, who played also played in last year's game. “It’s great to see our community in this kind of collegial and fun environment.”
This year’s sponsors included Cassels Brock; Borden Ladner Gervais; Goodmans; Blakes; Gowlings; Torys; Fasken Martineau; Osler; Inaria; Heenan Blaikie; McCarthy Tetrault and Flow 93.5. Special guest referee Luke Woolford and guest commentator David Goldstein, both from Cassels Brock, also donated their time to the event.
