UCalgary alumni at the heart of Calgary Surge game night

When the Calgary Surge, a professional team part of the Canadian Elite Basketball League, face off against the Vancouver Bandits on July 25 at the WinSport Event Centre, the spotlight won’t just be on the court, it’ll also shine on a powerful community connection.

The University of Calgary is collaborating with the team on a game night celebrating its alumni. From court to concourse, the evening will showcase what’s possible when two of Calgary’s community partners come together to inspire, engage and build lasting relationships.

Alumni on the court and behind the scenes 

For alum Dr. Jason Ribeiro, PhD’24, vice-chairman and president of the Surge, the game is a powerful opportunity to bring alumni together and celebrate their shared accomplishments and pride in UCalgary.

“To provide a gathering place for those who have gone on to do amazing things and seeing the pride that they have in their UCalgary connection is incredible,” he says. 

“For me, it was my last degree, where I got my doctorate. A community that is glued together by this connection to the university is incredibly powerful.” 

Ribeiro says UCalgary alumni are involved across his organization, from staff and sponsors to players and fans. 

“Some of the most senior people within our company are also alumni, and there have been a number of Dinos who got their professional career start playing for the Surge, like Noah Wharton [BSc’25] last year,” says Ribeiro.

“Many of our sponsors are alumni-built businesses that connected with the Calgary Surge down the line.”

Basketball as a unifying force

The partnership between UCalgary and the Surge reflects a broader shift toward collaboration between post-secondary institutions and professional sports organizations. 

“When I think about the University of Calgary, I think about that institution with an amazing amount of reverence,” says Ribeiro. “By keeping this relationship current and connected, we’re setting a new precedent for post-secondary collaboration with the community.” 

UCalgary will be a prominent game-day sponsor, offering a 50 per cent discount on tickets for alumni, as well as hosting:

• Dinos and alumni engagement booths across the WinSport Event Centre concourse, offering networking opportunities and university-branded swag.
• Half-time activities featuring current Dinos athletes, viewed from a dedicated alumni seating section. 

These experiences aim to create an inclusive, off-campus environment where alumni can reconnect — with each other and with UCalgary — through sport.

A commitment to inclusion 

As part of the event, the Surge will make a financial contribution to the Dinos’ Women in Sport strategy; an initiative dedicated to removing barriers for female student-athletes in varsity sports. 

The team also provides free access to games and cultural events for more than 4,250 vulnerable children and families through Surge ASSIST, a philanthropic program it launched in 2023 in partnership with Kids Up Front.

“It has been a huge priority for us to tackle problems in our community and, by understanding that those barriers exist, we can think about what part of the solution we can be,” says Ribeiro. 

“It's the slow burn of commitment and inclusion that bubbles up to a visceral connection with our fan base and with the city.”

For alumni, Dinos athletes and sports fans alike, the evening offers a chance to celebrate basketball and build connections that reach well beyond the final buzzer. 

Get your tickets with a special alumni rate here, and cheer on the Calgary Surge on July 25 at 8 p.m. at the WinSport Event Centre, 88 Canada Olympic Road SW. 

If alumni tickets are no longer available, general admission tickets can be purchased at a discounted rate here.