Women’s hockey could be saved at Saint Mary’s

A decision to cut women’s hockey at Saint Mary’s university is being put “on pause,” athletics director Steve Sarty said Monday. Sarty was addressing a crowd of more than 300 that had been rallying in support of the team. The university also says that it has been bombarded with emails and phone calls criticizing the initial decision to discontinue the program, including from Olympic gold medalist Hayley Wickenheiser. Sarty said that if the women’s hockey program continues, it will need support from the community. “Be here when we have our games on,” he told the crowd. Head coach Lisa Jordan told the Chronicle Herald that she is “optimistic” about keeping the team but noted that a financial solution is badly needed, and that coaches will be looking to make cuts to the program. The team placed first in the 2010 Atlantic University Sport championship, and fourth in national competition.

Photo: By RicLaf