The Battle of the Bridge, the all-sports competition betwen crosstown rivals Niagara University and Canisius College, enters its third season in 2008-09. After claiming the inaugural competition, Niagara looks to reclaim the Canal Cup this sports season.

During the 2006-07 athletics season, Niagara and Canisius developed an all-sports competition, in an effort to enhance the historic rivalry between the Purple Eagles and the Golden Griffins.

Points are awarded to the winner of regular-season contests, except for cross country, golf and swimming and diving, which will be determined by Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship standings (see chart below), and the results will be posted on each school’s Web site. The Canal Cup will be awarded to the victor each year.

The name of the series is in reference to the Grand Island Bridge, which each team crosses when traveling to the other’s campus. The name of the trophy is in reference to the Erie Canal, which intersects Niagara County, where Niagara is located, and Erie County, where Canisius is located.

Records indicate the two schools first met on the basketball court in 1904. Currently, Niagara and Canisius compete in baseball, men and women’s basketball, men and women’s cross country, golf, men’s ice hockey, women’s lacrosse, men and women’s soccer, men and women’s swimming and diving, softball and volleyball.

In the inaugural Battle Of The Bridge, the Niagara University Purple Eagles won in exciting fashion, by the score of 24-10. The men's and women's basketball teams were a combined 4-0 against the Golden Griffins in 2006-07. In 2007-08, Canisius was victorious in the competition for the first time, defeating the Purple Eagles 21-13.

Point System:

• Two points are awarded to the winning school. One point is awarded to both schools if the game/series ends in a tie. No points are awarded to the losing school.
  • For men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball, both games on the regular-season schedule will count for points.
  • For baseball, the winner of the three-game season series will be awarded the points.
  • Cross country, golf and swimming and diving will be determined at the MAAC Championships. The school that finishes higher will be awarded the points.
  • Men’s hockey, women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s soccer each play once.
  • Softball plays a doubleheader during the season. The winner of the series receives the points.  If the teams split then each school receives one point.
  • If there is a tie in total points, the school that currently has the cup will retain it.
  • If a non-conference contest or series against Niagara is scheduled in any sport except hockey, it will not count in the standings. For example, if the softball teams schedule a non-conference doubleheader, in addition to their conference doubleheader, only the series that counts in conference will count in the series standings.

2008-09 Standings