December 9, 2005 Source: Acadia University:
http://www.acadiau.ca/whatsnew/newsrelease/2005/assc_9dec.html Partnership between Acadia and Valley soccer organization to restore Varsity men's soccer program in time for 2006 season (Wolfville, NS) - Acadia University and the Axemen Soccer Supporters Club (ASSC) today announced the return of the Acadia Axemen soccer to Atlantic University Sport conference play for the 2006 season. A Memorandum of Agreement, signed by Acadia University President Dr. Gail Dinter-Gottlieb and ASSC President, Rod McBeath, clears the way for the Axemen to return to conference play for the first time since 2001. In the agreement Acadia commits to provide facilities and infrastructure support for the program while the ASSC has agreed to provide resources that will cover the yearly operating costs of the program. This historic agreement is similar to several university/community endeavours currently in place in Canada including the Université de Laval and University of Regina football programs and Lakehead University’s hockey program. "We have been talking to Acadia for several years about ways to restore the men’s soccer program, but the final agreement came together very quickly, said Mr. McBeath, who played an instrumental role in pursuing the restoration of the program. "Speaking on behalf of the soccer community in the Valley, we think that this new relationship between Acadia and the community will be beneficial to both parties. The return of men's soccer to Acadia should be very helpful in terms of retaining local talent and attracting new talent to the Valley." "I’ve found the growing level of support for everything Acadia is doing to be quite exciting and I want to thank Rod and the ASSC for their determination," said Dr. Dinter-Gottlieb. "Varsity sports at Acadia have always received a great deal of community and alumni support and are key elements in building and maintaining both school spirit and national visibility. My hope is that we can, through careful planning, further expand the scope of our varsity sports program and use the momentum from our recent successes to compete for national titles." The re-entry of the Acadia men’s soccer program into the Atlantic University Soccer Conference was welcomed by AUS Executive Director, Phil Currie. "Atlantic University Sport is very pleased to accept Acadia's application to re-enter their Men's Soccer program into the conference. We appreciate the leadership displayed by both partners in endeavoring to restore Acadia’s soccer program. Tough decisions sometimes lead to stronger and more sustainable solutions; we believe this to be the case with Acadia's men's soccer program," said Mr. Currie. Acadia Director of Athletics, Dan McNally, said he is excited about the return of men’s soccer. "We sincerely believe that in order for any of our teams to achieve a championship caliber of play, alumni and community support is essential. The nature of this agreement ensures this type of engagement from the soccer community. The first order of business for the new partnership will be to secure a head coach for the team, a task that will begin immediately and that will be undertaken by a joint committee with representation from both Acadia and the ASSC." The ASSC is an independent organization made up of local community soccer enthusiasts and former Axemen soccer players who have worked tirelessly to bring men’s Varsity soccer back to Acadia since its discontinuance. Acadia University, in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, has long been recognized as one of Canada’s premier undergraduate institutions. With its nationally and internationally recognized research initiatives, small class sizes and technology-rich teaching and learning environment, Acadia offers students an experience that includes academic achievement combined with personal growth and development. For more information about Acadia, visit our website at www.acadiau.ca -30- For more information contact:
Scott Roberts
Senior Director, Communications and Public Affairs
Acadia University
P: 902.585.1705
C: 902.670.8966
F: 902.585.1072
E: scott.roberts@acadiau.ca Dan McNally
Director, Varsity Athletics
P: (902) 585-1551 Rod McBeath
Axemen Soccer Supporters Club
P: (902) 678-1344
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