No, Women's Hockey Is Not on the Chopping Block

I've been following UND budget issues for sports, and by now you've probably read by now that there's was a $1.4 million shortfall for the 2015-16 fiscal year. There will be cuts to address that shortfall. According to the Grand Forks Herald, there would be up to eight sports falling to the budget knife. I've had a few people ask me if Women's hockey is going to be on the block. The answer is no.

Twelve sports — men's and women's hockey, men's and women's basketball, football, volleyball and men's and women's track and field and cross country — were identified at as programs UND is committed to sponsoring and appear to be safe from being cut.

That list of sports was given to Kenville in a previous meeting with Kennedy and Athletics Director Brian Faison, Kenville said. There was no discussion at Monday's IAC meeting about the eight sports listed as potentially being cut. (Grand Forks Herald)

I've been following this issue over on Sioux Sports. In one thread there were some openly begging the administration to cut women's hockey. Personally, I am very happy women's hockey isn't going to be cut, not going to happen as I predicted.

First, cutting women's hockey would be a horrible idea, the optics would be horrible and the university would take a beating on the national stage. Some that would see this as cutting a women's sport for the sole purpose of improving a men's sport. We've heard for years, that if UND spent more money on men's basketball and football they'd be better? That would only strengthen that argument. Second, women's hockey is one of the few sports where UND has an actual chance to win a division I national title. Lastly, women's hockey is an Olympic sport. UND has had quite a few players compete in international play and their efforts bring prestige to our university. Also, don't we want the area's daughters to have a place to play women's division on college hockey? I think we would.


Hockey 101: Women’s Hockey