UNews - Sport

Telus gift boosts Horns hockey

trevor.kenney — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 18:09:05 +0000

It may be the off-season for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns men's and women's hockey programs but they still managed to score big on Wednesday.

Telus announced that it is contributing $350,000 in support of Horns hockey, the result of Telus donating $100 to the program on behalf of every new TV customer in the community for the last year. The gift will support the expansion of the Nicholas Sheran Leisure Centre, providing the Pronghorns women's hockey program a much-needed team room while enhancing the training facilities for both university and local minor hockey groups.

"The unique support Telus provided to the U of L has many long-term benefits, and we want to thank Telus for helping us bring those benefits for both the community and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ," says U of L President Dr. Mike Mahon.

Sandy Slavin, the U of L's Executive Director, Sport and Recreation Services says that Horns hockey programs play an important role in the region's rich tradition of hockey.

"Not only do our programs showcase top intervarsity hockey talent, they bring people together and build pride and spirit for Lethbridge."

Telus launched its community TV fundraising campaign in Lethbridge in March of 2010, earmarking $100 for the Pronghorns hockey program on behalf of every new customer who signed up for Telus Optik TV and Telus Satellite TV in Lethbridge.

"From the tykes hitting the ice for the first time to the big league, hockey is woven into the very fabric of our culture," says Fred Weinheimer, Telus general manager of Customer Solutions Delivery for Alberta South. "This campaign combined the community's love for hockey with their insatiable appetite for new technology, especially with Telus Optik TV, and was a wonderful way to show Telus and its customers' support and ongoing commitment to the Lethbridge community."

Since 2000, Telus and its team members have committed more than $475,000 and 27,000 volunteer hours to charitable and community organizations in Lethbridge, including Lethbridge Scientists in School and the Lethbridge and District Humane Society.

Lux Bucks a win-win idea

trevor.kenney — Tue, 10 May 2011 18:14:20 +0000

Sheri Quinton of the Registrar's Office is the first winner of the Lux Bucks 50/50 draw, pocketing $312.50

Pronghorns Athletics has come up with an initiative that not only serves to boost student-athlete scholarship opportunities but your pocketbook as well.

Lux Bucks debuted this month and for $5, any and all supporters of Horns Athletics have the opportunity to take part in a 50/50 draw that creates a win-win situation.

"These things have been going on at various businesses in town for a number of years," says Sandy Slavin, executive director, Sport and Recreation Services. "Ilsa Wong, our women's soccer coach, brought the idea forward and it took us a while to get the approvals set up, both here and with Alberta gaming, but now we're ready to go."

The concept is simple. Each month, persons are able to purchase $5 Lux Bucks tickets, either through a cash sale or by payroll deduction if they are a ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ employee. At the end of the month a draw is made with half the pot going to the winner and the other half to Horns Athletics.

"Our athletes cross all faculties, and it's a way for everyone on campus to get involved with, be a part of and support all the athletes in their various activities," says Slavin.

So how big do they expect the prizes to reach?

"What we're hearing is that one of the more established local draws is sometimes paying the winners greater than $2,000 a month," says Slavin. "We would love to be able to get the winning pot up to that level eventually but we'll wait and see how it goes. We've had very good response so far from the administrative staff and we'll keep pushing it out there."

The 10th of each month is the deadline for purchasing tickets via payroll deduction. Tickets can be purchased at any time through the Horns Athletics office (PE209) or you can go online (www.uleth.ca/horns) to set up payroll deduction and be entered in the draw every month.

This story first appeared in the Legend. For a look at the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Lux Bucks a win-win idea

trevor.kenney — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 20:24:33 +0000

Pronghorns Athletics has come up with an initiative that not only serves to boost student-athlete scholarship opportunities but your pocketbook as well.

Lux Bucks debuted this month and for $5, any and all supporters of Horns Athletics have the opportunity to take part in a 50/50 draw that creates a win-win situation.

"Our athletes cross all faculties, and it's a way for everyone on campus to get involved with, be a part of and support all the athletes in their various activities," says Slavin.

So how big do they expect the prizes to reach?

The first draw will be held May 10, with all those who purchased tickets by Apr. 8 eligible to win. Tickets can be purchased at any time through the Horns Athletics office (PE209) or you can go online (www.uleth.ca/horns) to set up payroll deduction and be entered in the draw every month.

For a look at the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Red Nose just one way U of L connects with southern Alberta

trevor.kenney — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:44:34 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is an indelible part of the southern Alberta community and there's no better time than the holiday season to celebrate that connection.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is connected to its community through a variety of programs, many of which are charitable in nature. One of its highest profile campaigns is the annual Operation Red Nose, which is a mutually beneficial program.

It's the 15th season for Operation Red Nose at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and the demand for their services continues to be on the upswing. That's good news for Pronghorn Athletics, who both administers and then reaps the benefits of the annual designated driving program.

"All of the money we get in from tips goes directly back to our teams and there are a number of different ways they use that money," says Sandy Slavin, executive director, Sport and Recreation Services. "Whether it's going on a training camp, supplementing their meal allowances, used for an exhibition tournament or getting extra gear for their players, it's all very beneficial."

Other initiatives through which the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ supports the community include an annual United Way campaign; the recent MS Awareness Game Night that raised money for the local Multiple Sclerosis Society from ticket sales at a Pronghorn basketball game; the Chillin' for Charity event that raised more than $15,000 for the local United Way chapter; Faculty of Education students filling and donating backpacks to local area children in need; the annual YWCA Christmas hamper campaign that sees individual ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ units support local families in need with Christmas gifts and essentials; and the Sport and Recreation Services Sock and Mitten Drive for the local homeless shelter.

Operation Red Nose was created in 1984 in Quebec City, offering holiday revelers the opportunity to be driven home in their own vehicles, free of charge. It has become a holiday tradition, both for the volunteers who work the program and the many people in southern Alberta who use its services.

Operation Red Nose began Friday, Nov. 27 and runs each Thursday through Saturday night to Dec. 19. It then runs again on New Year's Eve. Volunteers wishing to take part in the program can e-mail Sandy Slavin at slavin@uleth.ca or call Pronghorn Athletics at 403-329-2681.

Red Nose Rides Again Dec. 3 - 5 This Week

trevor.kenney — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:01:09 +0000

More than 70 people got home safely last week thanks to Operation Red Nose.

"All of the money we get in from tips goes directly back to our teams and there are a number of different ways they use that money," says Sandy Slavin, executive director, Sport and Recreation Services. "Whether it's going on a training camp, supplementing their meal allowances, used for an exhibition tournament or getting extra gear for their players, it's all very beneficial."

Created in 1984 in Quebec City, the program offers holiday revelers the opportunity to be driven home in their own vehicles, free of charge. It has become a holiday tradition, both for the volunteers who work the program and the many people in southern Alberta who use its services. To get service call 403-320-4155.

Operation Red Nose runs each Thursday through Saturday night to Dec. 19. It then runs again on New Year's Eve. Volunteers wishing to take part in the program can e-mail Sandy Slavin at slavin@uleth.ca or call Pronghorn Athletics at 403-329-2681.

Operation Red Nose gears up for 15th season

trevor.kenney — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:48:07 +0000

It's the 15th season for Operation Red Nose at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and the demand for their services continues to be on the upswing. That's good news for Pronghorn Athletics, who both administers and then reaps the benefits of the annual designated driving program.

"All of the money we get in from tips goes directly back to our teams and there are a number of different ways they use that money," says Sandy Slavin, executive director, Sport and Recreation Services. "Whether it's going on a training camp, supplementing their meal allowances, used for an exhibition tournament or getting extra gear for their players, it's all very beneficial."

Created in 1984 in Quebec City, the program offers holiday revelers the opportunity to be driven home in their own vehicles, free of charge. It has become a holiday tradition, both for the volunteers who work the program and the many people in southern Alberta who use its services.

With that recognition level comes logistical challenges, such as finding enough volunteers for especially heavy traffic weekends. One of those weekends is the final Friday before Christmas when many Pronghorn athletes have left for Christmas break.

"That was always a date we struggled with to get volunteers," says Slavin. "A couple years ago the suggestion was brought forward to come to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and try and fill a night with as many volunteers from faculty, staff and students. We encouraged as many of the different staff units on campus to come and help us out and had such a good response, we've stayed with it."

Now dubbed '��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Night', it has turned into a popular community-building activity.

"It certainly does build a community atmosphere and interestingly enough, that's the same feedback we get on all the regular nights when Pronghorn athletes are working," says Slavin. "Red Nose is one of the ways in which we develop that Pronghorn Athletics community."

The program has also seen a significant increase in bookings of Christmas parties, a sure indication that southern Albertans are buying into the program.

"It helps us because we know we have some secured business," Slavin says, admitting they may have to actually limit party bookings to 10 on any given night. "By people pre-registering their parties, it gives us a better idea of how many volunteers we need for a certain night."

Operation Red Nose begins Friday, Nov. 27 and Saturday, Nov. 28, then runs each Thursday through Saturday night to Dec. 19. It then runs again on New Year's Eve. Volunteers wishing to take part in the program can e-mail Sandy Slavin at slavin@uleth.ca or call Pronghorn Athletics at 403-329-2681.

Operation Red Nose beats the cold

trevor.kenney — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 21:35:13 +0000

The weather outside was truly frightful but Operation Red Nose battled through the elements to help make the 2008 holiday season a safer one in Lethbridge.

The final volunteer and ride counts are in and once again, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's Operation Red Nose (ORN) designated driving program is a shining example of the positive impact this community initiative can provide.

"I thought it was a very good year, anytime we can top 1,000 rides, it's a really good year," says ORN volunteer coordinator Debby Steacy. "If it wasn't for the cold snap that hit, really from Dec. 12 on, we would probably have seen even higher numbers."

As it was, U of L volunteers, led by Pronghorn Athletics, totaled 567 and provided 1,082 rides over the holiday season. While those numbers are down marginally from a year ago (600 volunteers and 1,131 rides), Steacy attributes much of that to the brutally cold temperatures and poor driving conditions, which discouraged some volunteers from taking part.

Putting the Lethbridge numbers into context with the rest of the province, it's apparent this community puts great value on the program. Lethbridge ride totals accounted for a whopping 62 per cent of the entire province's total (1,082 of 1,754 total rides), with four communities taking part this past holiday season.

"I just think we're the perfect size community for this program to succeed," says Sandy Slavin, executive director, Sport and Recreation Services. "You look at the number of volunteers we had (567) and it's not that much greater than Edmonton (513) and yet we had almost twice the number of rides. The size of our community allows us to do that, plus the media here has supported us so well, everybody knows what we're all about."

While the program could always use more volunteers, ORN only ran short on two or three nights, Slavin says.

"Another 60 to 100 volunteers would be ideal, but if we're only short on three nights, we've done well," she says.

What's encouraging is that the program is beginning to feed itself.

"Some of our first-time volunteers said they'd used the program before and from that experience, decided they'd like to be a part of it."

Look for Operation Red Nose in December 2009 as Pronghorn Athletics continues its campaign to help make Lethbridge roads safer.

Community value in Operation Red Nose

trevor.kenney — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:02:24 +0000

It's the red light drivers actually look forward to seeing around the holidays.
Operation Red Nose, the national designated-driving service celebrating its 25th anniversary, will hit the roads for the 14th year here in Lethbridge, thanks to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and Pronghorn Athletics.
With that longevity comes a level of recognition in the community and an expectation that as the snow flies and the holiday cheer flows, the Red Nose tradition is renewed.
"You can't help but recognize the big red vests," Pronghorn track athlete and longtime Red Nose volunteer Jim Steacy says.
"I have people asking me in September when we're going to start up again. A lot of them wish we did it all year."
Created in 1984 in Quebec City, the program offers holiday revelers the opportunity to be driven home in their own vehicles, free of charge. While donations are readily accepted, and for Pronghorn Athletics that amounts to some $25,000 per year, the essence of the program is providing a valuable service and connecting the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ with the southern Alberta community.
"This was a perfect program," Sandy Slavin, executive director, Sport and Recreation Services, says of its inception in 1994. "It was a great way for us to get out and give back to the community that contributes so much to us."
While the financial impact on the program has become substantial over the years, Slavin says if it were just a money matter, the program could probably devote its manpower to a more lucrative pursuit.
That, however, is not what providing Red Nose is all about.
"If you broke it down, it's a lot of work per hour, but when you look at everything else you get out of it, the service in the community, the recognition in the community, it becomes a very valuable fundraiser for us," she says.
Knud Petersen, past president of the Pronghorn Booster Club, says it took some doing to get the first program launched.
"It was a lot of work and a lot of convincing people in the beginning," Petersen says, noting taxi companies were initially against their proposal.
But Red Nose has proven to fill a void the taxi companies could not address and it has meant fewer impaired drivers on roads.
"I think it's a fantastic program," Jeff Haley, government affairs manager for the Insurance Bureau of Canada, says. The Bureau is a major national sponsor.
"I can't really speak to the numbers (of people it takes off the road) but the commitment we have made to this each of the last four years is simply because it makes a difference."
The Lethbridge Regional Police Service agrees.
"It absolutely does make a difference in our community," sergeant Craig Deimuth says. "It once again gives people another option of how to get home safely after an evening of celebrating the Christmas season.
"Everybody is always concerned about leaving their vehicle behind but with this option, where not only they but their vehicle can get home safely, it's a fantastic program to have available."
Staffed by more than 600 volunteers (all of which are screened by the police service), the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge program connects Pronghorn Athletics to the community in a unique and personal manner. For Steacy, it's a great way to show off the Pronghorn logo, making the volunteer hours worth the work.
"I know the tournament teams — the rugby, track and field and swimming teams — realize that this is our main source of income as far as funding goes," Steacy says.
"But beyond that, it's kind of an honour to be part of a program like this. I'm helping people out, giving them a safe avenue home."

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