Spurred by an anonymous $1.5 million donation, Lake Superior State University’s athletic department has embarked on an ambitious campaign designed to raise an additional $1.5 million.
Spurred by an anonymous $1.5 million donation, Lake Superior State University’s athletic department has embarked on an ambitious campaign designed to raise an additional $1.5 million to support its hockey program.
LSSU announced the development of the Laker Hockey Challenge last month, with more than 70% of the additional $1.5 million sought having already been raised with the help of former Laker coaches and players. The funds will be used to support student-athletes in a variety of ways, from expanding leadership, development, and wellness resources to funding player payments allowed by revenue sharing and athlete payments through name, image and likeness (NIL), officially recognized by the NCAA in 2021.
While CCHA college hockey programs aren’t generally considered revenue generators for universities like LSSU, athletic departments can choose to share a portion of revenues with athletes in various sports. NIL allows student-athletes to be compensated for their marketing value in a variety of ways.
LSSU Athletic Director Tory Lindley indicated that some of the funds raised through the Laker Hockey Challenge could support player salaries or stipends. However, the money would also be used in support of the players and the program.
“It has become abundantly clear that winning (hockey) programs will be the ones that galvanize the most support from their fans and communities,” Lindley said. “(This finding) allows us to truly reimagine our hockey program. It lets us further invest in ways to improve the athletes’ experience here.”
During its nearly 60 years of Laker Hockey, LSSU has captured five national championships. The $1.2 million already raised on top of the anonymous donation was committed by longtime LSSU coach Jeff Jackson, and a large group of former players, including Ian Ward ’76, Steve Davies ’77, Doug Laprade ’88, Terry Hossack ’88, Bob Ciotti ’81, Gary Machacek ’77 and Bud Denker ’80.
“This campaign is about giving our student-athletes the resources they need to grow, compete and represent Laker Hockey with pride,” said Jackson in a press release. He coached at LSSU from 1986 to 1996, serving as the head coach starting in 1990. Jackson finished with a 182–52–25 record during that time, including the 1994 national championship.
“The generosity shown so far speaks volumes about the strength of this community,” Jackson added.
Lindley hopes the campaign will help rally the greater Sault Ste. Marie community in support of the program through cash, pledges and estate gifts made this year. He believes it can help LSSU compete at the highest levels of the sport, not just in the CCHA but nationwide.
“Our community here in (Michigan and Ontario, Canada) embraces the sport of hockey like no other community I have been in,” Lindley said. “There are advantages to that, and our location in that we’re a big fish in a small pond.”
The athletic department has created a multi-year strategic plan designed to support the program financially and operationally, Lindley added. It had fallen behind some of its competitors in recent years, and Lindley compared it to running two laps behind in a NASCAR race.
“We needed to catch up with other (Division 1 hockey) programs, and this will help us return the program to the big stage,” he said.
Find out more at advancement.lssu.edu/laker-hockey-challenge.
This article originally appeared on The Sault News: Lake Superior State University issues Laker Hockey Challenge fundraiser
Category: General Sports
