MONCTON, NB – Next week, four (4) members of the Crandall University Chargers Boxing team are entered to compete in the National Collegiate Boxing Association Eastern Regional Qualifying tournament hosted by the University of Connecticut. As Canada’s only university varsity boxing program, this is the second year Crandall boxers have participated in this qualifying tournament, with gold and silver medalists advancing to the National Championship in April.
Crandall University has been running its boxing program for ten (10) years and welcomes student boxers from Canada and around the world. It is a unique program in Canada – one of a kind – that offers students the ability to continue in their development in the sport of Olympic Boxing while at the same time earning a university degree.
Crandall University is the only university outside of the United States that has been accepted into the National Collegiate Boxing Association. The Association is celebrating 50 years of organized collegiate boxing in the United States with members that include the University of Connecticut, West Point, Penn State University, Ohio State University, UCLA, USC and about 25 other major schools.
“In some ways, we are like the ‘Toronto Blue Jays’ of the NCBA. Not only do we get to represent Crandall but because we are the only Canadian school, we also represent Canada at all of the events we attend,” Jon Ohlhauser, Head Coach. “As Canadians, we stand in pride when our national anthem is played in Canada but it is extra special when it is played at the events held at US schools,” shared Ohlhauser.
This year, the four boxers participating in the Regional Qualifier are from Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Mexico, and Trinidad. “Since Canada is a desired destination for post-secondary education, we have attracted student boxers from Canada and from countries around the world including Mexico, Nepal, Bermuda, India, Morocco, Cyprus, Trinidad, and others. The mix of international talent really makes our program special,” said Ohlhauser.
The Regional Qualifying tournament runs from March 11-14, 2026. Boxers who earn a gold or silver medal at the tournament will qualify for the NCBA National Championship that runs from April 9-13, 2026 in Charlotte, NC. “We just witnessed the intense rivalry between our two countries in Olympic hockey. For physical battles in that sport, combatants are assessed penalties. For physical battles in Olympic boxing, combatants are assessed wins and losses. Our boxers are keen for the opportunity to represent Crandall – and Canada – in this tournament,” stated Ohlhauser.
For more information contact:
Jon Ohlhauser, Head Coach, Crandall University Chargers Boxing
506-852-1384 / jon.ohlhauser@crandallu.ca
