(Photo courtesy Pronghorn Athletics)

By Justin Goulet

Operation Red Nose 2020 shifts focus to scholarship fund for Pronghorn student-athletes

Dec 10, 2020 | 9:06 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Despite Operation Red Nose being cancelled this year, the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns are still focusing on supporting student-athletes this holiday season.

In October, it was reported that the annual safe holiday driving campaign had been scrapped for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

READ MORE: Operation Red Nose a no-go for 2020 holiday season

In order to continue rewarding the academic achievements of student-athletes, Operation Red Nose 2020 has shifted its focus toward soliciting donations for the Deb Steacy Academic All-Canadian Scholarship.

The program supplies each Pronghorn Academic All-Canadian, determined by U SPORTS, with a $500 scholarship. Anyone interested in supporting the initiative can find out more here.

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Since the start of the Academic All-Canadian program in 1990, 1,219 Pronghorn varsity athletes have received the honour.

“As a department, we are definitely disappointed that we are unable to provide the Operation Red Nose service to the community,” said Pronghorn Athletics Director Neil Langevin.

“Operation Red Nose gives us a great opportunity to give back to the community each year, while also generating operating dollars for each program.”

The U of L scholarship is named after Deb Steacy, a mother of three Pronghorn alumni. Pronghorn Athletics said Steacy was a staple in the Operation Red Nose program for many years, including taking the lead on volunteer scheduling and nightly operations from 2005 to 2014.

Unfortunately, she passed away in the spring of 2014. The scholarship was dedicated in her name the following fall.

“The annual Operation Red Nose campaign is not only a service that allows the department and student-athletes to connect with the southern Alberta community, however it also provides a much needed service during the holiday season with the proceeds from sponsorships and donations going directly towards Pronghorn teams,” read a release from Pronghorn Athletics.

On average, Operation Red Nose raises around $40,000 for operating costs of U of L teams. Over the past 25 years, the initiative has raised more than $810,000.

Pronghorn Athletics plans to bring back the program next holiday season.