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(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
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."
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
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