Women’s hockey will not be cut at SMU

A plan to cut the women’s hockey program at Saint Mary’s University was officially reversed by the board of governors Tuesday evening. “The decision to cancel the women’s varsity hockey program  . . . in response to budget pressures, was wrong and we deeply regret it,” SMU president Colin Dobbs said in a statement released  by the university.

Shortly after SMU announced that the women’s hockey team would be discontinued, in an effort to trim $120, 000 from the athletics budget, the university was bombarded with complaints, and players held a rally last Monday against the decision. In response to the outcry, athletics director Steve Sarty said that the plan was being put “on pause,” but noted that the team requires financial support.

Before the board made its decision to officially reinstate women’s hockey, Canadian Tire announced that it would be donating $60, 000 to the team for one year, with the possibility of continued funding.

Photo: Rally held in support of women’s hockey at SMU, by Richard Lafortune