UA Board of Regents extends fundraising deadlines for gymnastics and hockey teams

At its meeting on Feb. 25, the University of Alaska Board of Regents passed two motions focused on UAA hockey and gymnastics. The motions extended the fundraising deadlines for the two sports, allowing for automatic reinstatement if fundraising targets are met.

“The outpouring of support for the gymnastics and hockey teams by passionate alumni, boosters and community supporters has been encouraging to see,” said UAA Interim Chancellor Bruce Schultz. “Our community has inspired hope in the possibility these athletic programs can survive and thrive at UAA. There is renewed interest in UAA, and I see this rising tide has great potential to lift many opportunities across our campuses.”

The board voted in September 2020 to discontinue hockey, gymnastics and Alpine skiing unless the teams could raise two years of private funding to cover operating expenses by Feb. 15. Estimated savings to restructure UAA Athletics by eliminating these sports is more than $2 million and is part of an effort to close the gap on UAA's $7.2 million budget reduction for fiscal year '22.

The regents reinstated Alpine skiing at their January meeting in response to supporters successfully raising two years of operating expenses. UAA leadership, working in concert with Interim President Pat Pitney, requested the extensions for hockey and gymnastics in response to the tireless fundraising efforts of student-athletes, coaches and alumni, all bolstered by boosters and community supporters, both state- and nationwide, who mobilized to raise funds.

"Today's Board of Regents decision honors the work done by our teams, student-athletes and supporters from across Alaska," said UAA Director of Athletics Greg Myford. "They have shown the significance and relevance that our programs have. There is still work to be done in terms of getting to the fundraising goals, but the additional time granted today provides great hope behind the existing momentum. My thanks to the Board, President Pitney and Chancellor Schultz for today's outcome."

For gymnastics, meeting fundraising goals means raising $444,000 by June 30, 2021 to cover the 2021-2022 athletic season. Reinstatement beyond 2021-2022 means supporters must raise an additional year of operating expenses by June 30, 2022.

Hockey will pause for a year to allow for planning, recruitment, scheduling and — most importantly — a move toward a self-sustaining and community-supported model. Supporters must raise $3 million in funds by Aug. 30, 2021, covering two years of operating expenses. To date, they have raised $1,563,183.

The fundraising success of both sports is critical in order to ensure Title IX compliance.

UAA will continue to foster partnerships with supporters as the university develops annual plans focused on the long-term sustainability of these programs. Ongoing private financial contributions to these programs’ annual operating budgets from supporters will be crucial to their future success.

Donate to the hockey program.

Donate to the gymnastics program.