VICTORIA – The University of Victoria Vikes men's basketball team switched up the location for their popular Blue versus White intra-squad game.

As a primer before the wildly popular Guy Vetrie Memorial Tournament, the Vikes relocated to Claremont Secondary School for the intra-squad game Sept. 28. This marks the 10^th time Vikes Head Coach Craig Beaucamp has taken his team off campus and into the community for the event. Previous destinations have included Parkland Secondary School and Mark Isfeld Secondary in Comox.

"This is a great opportunity to get out into the community and engage with different areas around town. It's a great opportunity for our players to get off campus, spend some time together and hopefully grow as a team," said Beaucamp.

The exhibition game will feature a full referee staff and the coaches will manipulate the rosters to create the most game-like scenarios. It also serves as a chance for the Vikes to come together, bond and prepare for the Guy Vetrie tournament, which runs Oct. 4 to 6. The tournament will feature some of the top programs from across the country in Carleton, Calgary and Regina. All tourney games will be held at the CARSA Performance Gym and the schedule can be found online.

What makes this intra-squad game extra special is Claremont's connection to the Vikes.

Brandon Dunlop played four seasons with the Vikes from 2007-15. While with the Vikes, Dunlop began working at Claremont and now is the head coach of the senior boys team. He is entering his seventh season with the Spartans. Claremont's vice-principle, Aaron Buckham, is also a Vikes basketball alum.

"Our kids look up to the Vikes. It will be great to see those players playing inside their gym. Hopefully, one day down the road, our players can be filling in the shoes of the guys on the current Vikes roster," said Dunlop, who has a current Vikes' prospect on his team in Ethan Boag. The 6-foot-8 local has already committed to the Vikes for the 2020-21 season.

Vikes Assistant Coach Josh Mullen has worked with the U17 Vikes Nation summer program for the past four years, coaching other members of Claremont's basketball teams.

"Events like this bring our community and our team closer together. I think the change of location is a great way to get us ready for our season," said Beaucamp.

The intra-squad game is set for Saturday night, with tip off set for 7 p.m. Tickets for the game are $2 with all proceeds going to the Terry Fox Foundation.

The Vikes will continue their exhibition season Oct. 19, when they host the Seattle Mountaineers at CARSA. Their Canada West season opening weekend goes Nov. 1 and 2 in Prince George, and their first regular season home games are set for Nov. 15 and 16 when the University of Alberta Golden Bears roll into town.