By Aaron Mahoney (@Mahones93 on Twitter)

$50,000 gift from the Kodiaks Association to support student-athletes at Lethbridge College

Jun 20, 2018 | 12:00 PM

LETHBRIDGE – Usually Lethbridge College Kodiaks Athletics’ largest fan club, the Kodiaks Association, has often done their cheering silently but the association made a bit more noise on Wednesday, June 20, with a $50,000 multi-faceted gift to support student-athletes.

The Kodiaks Association has operated since 1996 with a mandate to support Kodiaks Athletics by funding initiatives and equipment that go beyond the normal scope of institutional funding.

Todd Caughlin, the manager of Athletics, Residence and Recreation Services, says the Kodiaks Association has been involved every year but haven’t really been properly noticed, acknowledged or recognized for the work they do.

“To take this step, which is so student-athlete focused, you really couldn’t ask for a better show of support. The student-athletes are the ones who will benefit from this the most, which is crucial for us to get better as an entire department,” Caughlin said.

The largest portion of the gift is the purchase of new athletic therapy equipment that a release states will benefit all Kodiaks student-athletes.

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This includes a therapy tub, two Game Ready therapy systems that help with injury rehabilitation and a variety of smaller pieces of equipment.

Combined with the installation of a full-time athletic therapist beginning in the 2018-19 season, Lethbridge College can now offer a therapy program that Caughlin believes is as good as any institution in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference.

Kodiaks Association president Jean Schnarr says in working with Caughlin, they discovered there was a need for therapy for athletes that would help them both during games and over the course of the season.

“We saw this as a win-win, where we had the funds and were able to meet our mandate of supporting the Kodiaks by allocating this money to them, for a need that has been sitting out there for a while.”

Some other aspects of the gift include:

–    sponsorship of Lethbridge College’s hosting of ACAC championship tournaments in 2017, 2018 and 2019

–    sole sponsorship of the Kodiaks Hall of Fame, which was launched in October 2017

–    the purchase of a new sound system for the Val Matteotti Gymnasium

Association board member Tim Tollestrup says when he served as the Kodiaks athletics director between 1976 to 2006, one of his key philosophies was that you work so hard to get these student-athletes on campus and it’s just as important to take care of them once they’re here.

“I think this new equipment the association has helped purchase is a step in the right direction.”

The Kodiaks Association raises money through a season-long 50/50 raffle and by participating in casinos, with all funds returned to the athletics program.

On-going initiatives include funding Kodiaks travel for exhibition games, scholarships for student-athletes and equipment upgrades.

Throughout its history, Lethbridge College has earned 57 ACAC championships and produced 58 academic all-Canadians.

Caughlin says the support of the Kodiaks Association allows the program to continue to compete at a championship level.

“We have great support from our administration and leadership team, but the association is invaluable when it comes to filling in the gaps that our budgets don’t allow,” Caughlin continued. “The association’s work is all behind the scenes, but they’ve always been there. The work and support that they’ve provided truly make life better for our student-athletes.”

Each season, more than 120 student-athletes suit up in Kodiaks colours, in six ACAC sports.