The Storm Just Picked Up A Racket. Badminton Joins St. Mary’s University Athletics.

(May 7, 2026) – The following article was submitted by St. Mary’s University Lightning Athletics.

 

St. Mary’s University is proud to announce the addition of badminton to its Lightning Athletics varsity offerings, beginning in the 2026–2027 season. This expansion reflects a continued commitment to growing opportunities for student-athletes and strengthening the university’s presence within the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference.

 

As badminton continues to rise across the ACAC, St. Mary’s is excited to introduce a sport that engages a new and diverse group of student-athletes. The program will be built with a focus on high performance, while staying grounded in the department’s core values of respect, integrity, and leadership development.

 

“Badminton is a natural fit for where our program is headed,” said Nathan Ruff, Director of Athletics. “We’re always looking for ways to create meaningful opportunities for student-athletes to grow—athletically, academically, and as leaders within our community.”

 

Aligned with the Lightning vision of developing passionate individuals through sport and leadership, the badminton program will emphasize both competitive excellence and personal growth. Student-athletes will be supported in their pursuit of academic success while contributing positively to the St. Mary’s community.

 

Andrew Muir will lead the program into its inaugural season. A former Canadian National Team member and national champion, Muir brings decades of experience as both an elite competitor and coach, with a long-standing impact on the sport in Alberta.

 

Known for its speed, precision, and tactical play, badminton adds a unique dimension to the Lightning’s varsity offerings. With both men’s and women’s competition opportunities, the program is positioned to make an immediate impact within the ACAC.

 

More details, including recruitment information and program updates, will be shared in the coming months as the Lightning prepare to launch this exciting new chapter.

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About the ACAC: The ACAC is the governing body for intercollegiate athletics in Alberta. Its mission is to provide competitive collegiate sport experiences, promote academic achievement and be a leader of sport development in Canada.

For more information on the ACAC, please visit our website: www.acac.ab.ca 

For additional information, contact:

Nathan Ruff, St. Mary's Lightning
Athletic Director
(403) 254-3770
nathan.ruff@stmu.ca 

Mark Kosak, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Chief Executive Officer
403-875-7329
markk@acac.ab.ca

Emily Peterson, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
emilyp@acac.ab.ca