Yea though I walk through the shadow of myself I shall not fear myself! Ha Ha Ha We got us another one kids. Yep, the big old financial burden of operating a College hockey team has broken the back of the St. Thomas University mens hockey team.
St. Thomas University is located in the hockey tradition rich province of New Brunswick. That’s right kids, you read it right. A college hockey team in Canada is folding!
Yeah, you know, like in the country that preaches hockey as a religion. The same country that has brought us Connor McDavid. The same country that year after year produces world class players. Yeah well, its also the same country that has a currency exchange issue right now, and its the same country that’s facing the same budget challenges are we are over here.
St. Thomas University cutting the hockey program is like the University of Illinois cutting its NCAA football program. Its not like Alabama cutting its NCAA football program, but it is a very big loss just the same. Can you imagine if NCAA programs started folding football teams over budget issues?
Wake up kids. Though I am poking fun at this a little, its pretty serious business.
When a University no matter where the location, can no longer fund its country’s most popular sport, there is a serious problem.
Now, the money spent on the hockey program is reported to be $245,000 a year. Really? Junior team budgets are double and triple that at the Junior A or Tier II level. In hockey that kind of money really isn’t much.
With 18 underclassmen on the roster, did the university consider what it might cost them in tuition if just half of them transfer to another school? If they lose only half of those student athletes they lose move then another $100,000, and if they all leave they lose over $200,000 in tuition.
Is a net savings of $145,000 and possibly as low as $0 worth cutting a program completely? Wouldn’t it be wiser to cut some funding through a budget reduction and try to keep the program? You know, like reduce the budget to what you give the women’s team? Oh yeah, and the women’s program isn’t getting cut?!
Yeah, yeah, I know. Who cares what the American guy says. May the St. Thomas Tommies now rest in peace. Kick some dirt in the hole, and toss some flowers on top. This may be our first death of the season but it sure wont be the last. We may have another team being killed off next week kids.
David Wagner – The Angel Of Death – For Those Who Live Stupidly I salute You
*The Death Pool is a mix of comedy, and satire in connection with recent events. It is not an official report of current events although it may look as though the news is so accurate that it could one day happen or may be happening
