Focusing on Canada West conference, MacEwan divests ACAC membership, discontinues three sports
EDMONTON – MacEwan University has sent notice to the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) that it is divesting its membership following the 2019/20 season.
With a proud 45-year history of athletics competition in the collegiate loop, MacEwan will focus its future efforts exclusively on the university-based Canada West conference, under the U SPORTS banner nationally, beginning in the 2020/21 season.
The move comes after MacEwan's men's and women's hockey teams were approved for play in the Canada West conference starting in 2020/21. The acceptance of the hockey teams into Canada West marked an important turning-point in MacEwan's evolution in university-level supports. The discontinuation of the Griffins' remaining ACAC sports - golf, curling and indoor track - is the next step in the institution's development to a fully-fledged university-level athletics school.
"It's a difficult decision that wasn't taken lightly," says John McGrath, acting president, MacEwan University. "The university understands and appreciates the dedication of our student-athletes who continually strive for success in athletics and academics."
"Making this announcement at this time allows our current student-athletes to complete their academic and athletic commitments as usual for the academic year," says Ken Schildroth, director of MacEwan Athletics. "Moving forward, the university will do everything possible to assist them during this transitional period."
The student-athletes on the golf, curling and indoor track teams will be given full support by the university should they wish to continue their post-secondary athletics journey elsewhere. The decision affects approximately 40 student-athletes.
Since MacEwan first joined the ACAC in men's basketball in 1974/75, the Griffins have enjoyed a rich history in 13 different sports, capturing 93 team conference championship banners. Additionally, 64 MacEwan student-athletes have won individual gold medals during conference championships.
MacEwan teams have also won five Canadian Colleges Athletic Association national championships and 11 CCAA individual gold medals. Over the years, Griffins student-athletes have also excelled in the classroom, accounting for hundreds of Academic All-Canadian awards.
Moving forward into the Canada West conference, the Griffins will field 10 teams in five different sports in 2020/21 – men's and women's squads in hockey, basketball, volleyball, soccer and cross country.
