The members of the committee that will look into the possible reinstatement of men’s and women’s hockey at the University of Lethbridge have been chosen.
The Hockey Advisory Committee, which was established shortly after the U of L discontinued its men’s and women’s hockey programs in April, will be led by Chair Dan Laplante (BMgt ’88) and consist of 13 sitting members as well as three resource personnel. Its membership represents various viewpoints related to the hockey programs, the University and the community at large.
“I think it was important for us to establish a committee that has broad representation and takes into account the many stakeholders connected to the hockey programs,” says U of L President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mike Mahon. “Given Dan’s reputation as a long-time supporter of the University and Pronghorn Athletics, his appointment as Chair was very well received and elicited a lot of interest in the committee.”
Other committee members include U of L Board of Governors Finance representative Dean Gallimore (BMgt ’84); Board of Governors Advancement representative Terry Whitehead (BA ’94) and Pronghorn Athletic Director Neil Langevin (BA/BEd ’91, MEd ’10). Community members include Perry Neufeld (BSc ’01), Toby Boulet (BEd ’89, MEd ’04), Jerry LeGrandeur, Dino Caputo (BFA ’99, BEd ’01) and Kathy Hopkins. Sam Schneyder (BSc ’07) and Lesley Burton (BSc ’02) are members representing the women’s hockey alumni group and PJ Lynch (BMgt ’05) and Reese St. Goddard (BMgt ’11) will represent the men’s hockey alumni.
“From the committee list you can see we have alumni, former players, community representatives and original founders of the programs,” says Mahon. “It is an excellent group and I look forward to hearing their recommendations as they work through their process.”
The committee’s purpose is to explore the re-establishment of both men's and women's hockey programs at the U of L supported by a solid and sustainable community-based funding model. The committee will consider other successful post-secondary community-based funding models. Its role is strictly advisory and will not revisit the decision to withdraw the hockey programs or conduct a review of the varsity athletic programs at the University.
The Hockey Advisory Committee will sit over the next 18 months before making its findings known. By withdrawing its teams from Canada West play, the U of L cannot be reinstated in the conference for two years, meaning the earliest possible date for the Pronghorns to return to play would be the 2022-23 season. Canada West requires applications for a new sport to be submitted in the summer prior to the new sport participation year, with the application process completed by the following March.
The committee will make recommendations to the President's Executive Council, and the President and Vice-Chancellor will decide and approve if any or which recommendations will be presented to the University’s Board of Governors. The Board of Governors is the final decision body.
The Hockey Advisory Committee full terms of reference are available here.