The Pronghorns men & women's hockey teams have been discontinued, according to the U of L (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By Justin Goulet

U of L discontinuing Pronghorns hockey programs due to budget constraints

Apr 20, 2020 | 11:28 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The University of Lethbridge Pronghorns hockey teams are no more.

The U of L announced Monday morning, that after three straight years of reductions to its operating grant, the school is discontinuing its men and women’s varsity hockey programs.

“The elimination of the hockey programs is one of a number of budget reduction strategies in response to unprecedented cuts from the provincial government,” read a release from the school.

In November of last year, the U of L implemented multiple budget strategies to deal with the first reduction (in the 2019/2020 budget). This included the discontinuation of 19 positions and then the elimination of 42 positions across several departments in March of this year, in response to the 2020/2021 budget balancing requirements.

The U of L stated that they will be required to make future budget cuts as the provincial government has signaled additional cuts in the next two fiscal years.

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“The Pronghorn hockey programs have been a source of great pride for our athletes, students, alumni, donors, sponsors, the campus community and supporters throughout southern Alberta,” said U of L president and vice-chancellor Mike Mahon.

“I know this news will significantly impact everyone associated with these programs.”

STUDENT-ATHLETES

The U of L noted that 52 student-athletes are directly impacted by the decision, along with several recruits and coaches.

The school said it’s also going to be restructuring Sport and Recreation Services in response to budget considerations. Last week, the executive director position was eliminated from the department.

Student-athlete scholarship commitments will be honoured if students decided to continue studying at the University of Lethbridge. The school stated that it will work with student-athletes and team coaches to follow up on any opportunities with other university programs, if desired.

“Pronghorn Athletics staff connected with athletes, recruits and coaches from both programs earlier today to communicate this decision,” read the release.

“The U of L is committed to supporting student-athletes through this transition. Specific academic, athletic and counselling supports have been made available to affected student-athletes.”

The Pronghorns men’s hockey team debuted during the 1984-1985 season and won the University Cup national championship in 1994. The women’s team began playing in 1997-1998, making its only national championship appearance in 2003.

ATHLETICS FUNDING

The U of L said that Pronghorn Athletics has been through a number of system reviews over the year to try and identify the most efficient and effective funding mode. The most recent reviews took place in 2015 and 2019, with both reviews finding that the school was supporting a “proportionately large” number of teams in relation to its size, with 11 teams.

After the 2015 review, the U of L continued an additional $400,000 annually for three years and $350,000 in the 2019-2020 year in funding for Pronghorn Athletics. This was to help stabilize the financial situation of the program and allow time to source external revenues for its operations, according to the U of L.

“Unfortunately, external revenues for operations have not materialized and with the unprecedented budget reductions imposed upon the University, there is little choice but to reduce expenditures,” read the U of L release.

Remaining athletics programs, which include basketball, soccer, track and field, swimming, and women’s rugby, will continue to be funded by the university.