Pronghorns Hockey ice rink. (Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

U of L-community committee to explore viability of Pronghorns hockey

Apr 30, 2020 | 10:23 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A new committee has been established that would look into the possibility of bringing the University of Lethbridge’s hockey programs back.

The university announced on April 20 that it would be discontinuing their men’s and women’s varsity hockey teams after getting three straight years of reductions to its operating grant. More details here.

Since last fall, they have eliminated 60 positions, and with two more signaled cuts to the provincial operating budget in 2021-22 and 2022-23, the U of L said in a statement that it will be required to make “further significant reductions.”

Now, the school plans to form a committee consisting of donors, alumni, and university representatives.

“The committee’s goal is to seek a solution that would allow the University to apply for reinstatement to USPORTS in the coming years by exploring examples of athletic programs at universities that have found success through community-based funding models,” reads a statement from the U of L. “USPORTS rules dictate that universities discontinuing participation in their league must wait two years before applying for reinstatement.”

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The committee will be lead by Dan Laplante, an alumnus and major donor to the school’s hockey programs. Back in January, he gave $125,000 to the women’s team.

“Dan is a longtime supporter of the Pronghorns hockey programs and of the University in general,” says University of Lethbridge President and Vice-Chancellor Mike Mahon. “His business expertise, philanthropic experience, and passion for University athletics make him ideal for this role.”

This would not be the first time a significant review has been undertaken on Pronghorns Athletics. In both 2015 and 2019, it was found that there were significant concerns about the sustainability of their athletics programs.

This lead to the University allocating an additional $400,000 per year for three years and $350,000 in the fourth.

Mahon says he has spoken with several alumni and donors since the hockey discontinuation was announced.

“The resolve of many people I have talked with is strong,” says Mahon. “Recognizing this, the University will explore with the community the possibility of hockey programs returning to the University in the coming years — supported by a community-based funding model.”

The committee members are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.