Energy, passion, and rivalry all in the name of the fight against cancer.
The 9th annual Cure Cancer Classic (CCC) Commerce versus Engineering rivalry game took place on March 12 at the Slush Puppie Place. The annual event sold out in just four hours this year, as it continues to be a mainstay on the calendar for the student body.
READ MORE: Team Eng wins Cure Cancer Classic after three-year dry spell
The CCC has raised over $3.1 million for cancer research since its inception. This year the final total eclipsed over $720,000 donated to the Canadian Cancer Society. CCC is like no other with the passion for each of the two biggest faculties at Queen’s, coupled with the fact that everyone in attendance knows exactly why they’re there: to support cancer research.
Before the game begins, an emotionally touching opening ceremony featuring the entire rink lit up with phone lights. Followed by a highlight of a Kingston native cancer survivor, Jeff Cornelius, who received a standing ovation from a sellout crowd. To close it out, local singer-songwriter Courtney Kane delivered a patriotic Canadian anthem.
The game started as both teams talented rosters clashed against one another, representing their faculties with pride. However, the most prideful of the night had to be the Timbits hockey players from the Kingston Area Minor Hockey Association. To help them on the ice, members of the Queen’s Men’s Hockey team.
Team Commerce would strike first, energizing the commerce crowd. Just as Commerce thought they could take the momentum of the game team Engineering would score on the powerplay to tie the game. Not long after, they would score another one on the powerplay to take a 2-1 lead.
Team Engineering continued their dominance with a third powerplay goal to take a commanding 3-1 lead. As the lead stunned Team Comm, Team Eng continued to cheer on their team with the usual back and forth banter. The fourth goal for Team Engineering would put the game out of reach despite Team Commerce scoring two to narrow the deficit, Team Eng would win their second straight CCC.
To inform and reflect on the event, The Journal talked to CCC Co-Chair Sarah Loveridge, Comm ’26. Loveridge is no stranger to the CCC, having been part of the executive team since 2023. She knows exactly what it takes to pull off the large-scale event.
“One of the biggest misconceptions is that what people see on game day just comes together in a few weeks, but in reality it’s something we build toward all year,” said Loveridge. “With all our other events, we’re constantly shifting gears, so we usually focus on preparation about two months prior.”
Loveridge expressed how fulfilling, but how bittersweet, it was the event was to her in the moment.
“On one hand, there’s an overwhelming sense of pride, but at the same time very emotional in a different way because it really feels like a goodbye. This organization has been such a defining part of my university experience, and everything we worked for built up to that final moment.”
Looking ahead, Loveridge reflected by saying, “It’s easy to get caught up in the energy, the rivalry and the atmosphere, but what makes CCC so special is the purpose behind it all.”
That purpose has continued to be a shining light for the Queen’s Community in the fight against cancer.
Tags
Commerce, cure cancer classic, Engineering, Hockey, rivalry
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