After a thorough review of the program, Lebanon Valley president Stephen MacDonald announced today that the men’s ice hockey team will continue play. The review was led by a committee consisting of Bob Hamilton, vice president of administration; Bill Brown, vice president of enrollment; and athletic director Kathy Tierney and was conducted over the last two weeks.
“Informed by this report, I have concluded that Lebanon Valley College should continue to play intercollegiate hockey,” said MacDonald. “Ice hockey is here to stay.”
Aiding in the decision was strong feedback received from alumni players over the last few days. Coaches and administrators from other ECAC West teams also contacted Lebanon Valley during the review period urging them to maintain the team.
“Our alumni who played varsity hockey for the Valley exhibit a fierce loyalty to the team and to the College,” said MacDonald.
In a letter published to the school and the current players, MacDonald pledged to increase resources available to the program to increase its chances for success in the future.
“… [W]e will continue to offer student athletes the opportunity to play hockey here, and we will honor the traditions established by the program’s past accomplishments,” said MacDonald. “We will place at the disposal of the hockey program the material and human resources it needs to play successfully in the highly competitive ECAC West. I told [the players] that I am committing myself personally to the hockey program. I asked them to stay with us and to commit themselves as well.”
