The crosstown rivalry is back on.

The Winnipeg Wesmen and Manitoba Bisons are excited to launch the 34th Duckworth Challenge, the annual series between the city's two universities for bragging rights and more. 

Details of the Challenge were announced Monday at a press conference at City Hall that included Mayor Scott Gillingham, university presidents Dr. Jino Distasio and Dr. Michael Bennaroch, and athletics directors Cara Isaak and Gene Muller.

The Duckworth Challenge, which pits the basketball and volleyball programs from both schools in a three-day showdown, starts Thursday and runs through Saturday, when all eight teams will compete in a day-long final sprint with games on both campuses.

    SCHEDULE
    JAN. 29
    Basketball @ U of M, 6/8 p.m.
    JAN. 30
    Volleyball @ U of W, 6/8 p.m.
    JAN. 31
    Basketball at U of W, 1/3 p.m.
    Volleyball at U of M, 5/6:45 p.m.

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"This rivalry highlights the best of both institutions," Mayor Gillingham said at the official launch Monday at City Hall. "Having Athletic Directors Cara Isaak and Gene Muller, and Presidents (Michael) Bennaroch and (Jino) Distasio here really speaks to the important of this event. 

"This rivalry is a great rivalry. It's a respectful one ... and it brings together the campuses and the fans from both schools coming together from across the city.

"I want to make a special invitation to anyone watching, who's never attended the Duckworth Challenge: This is your year." 

Union Station MLA Uzoma Asagwara, who played for the Wesmen women's basketball team from 2002-2007, attended Monday's press conference and made no mistake who they are behind this year. 

"Unlike the Mayor, we're not in an election year so I am absolutely not neutral," Asagwara joked. "I'm also the MLA of Union Station where the University of Winnipeg resides, so I will be cheering for the Wesmen every step of the way."

Interim UWinnipeg president Dr. Jino Distasio urged Winnipeggers to get out and support local student-athletes and great competition. More than 100 student-athletes competing in this year's Duckworth Challenge hail from the province. 

"I think the city is really going to light up as things heat," he said. "We're going to see some great athleticism led by our student-athletes who are second to none in this country. Get out there and cheer for whatever team you want, but I'm sure it's going to be the Wesmen on top again."

The Duckworth Challenge was established in1991-92 by Dr. Henry Duckworth, the former U of W President and U of M Chancellor, as a chance to put a spotlight on the heated rivalry between the two institutions. 

In that time, the Bisons have an 80-67-3 record, and Manitoba has won the last two Challenges. The Bisons and Wesmen have each won the Challenge three times in the last six years. 

For the first time, the winner of this year's Challenge will have their colours illuminated on the WINNIPEG sign at The Forks. 

This year, all eight games across both sports will count towards the Duckworth Challenge. Winning a minimum five of eight games will ensure a Challenge victory and, in the case of a tie, a point-margin system has been agreed upon. 

If both programs finish with four wins, point differential will declare the winner. In volleyball, five Challenge points will be rewarded to the winning team for each set they win above what their opponent wins. For example, a 3-1 victory would equate to 10 Duckworth Challenge points for winning two more sets. 

In basketball, the point differential will equate to single Duckworth Challenge points. For example, an 86-80 win would equal six Duckworth Challenge points.