October 21, 2020
With the suspension of the Winter 2021 athletic season by the Ontario University Athletics (OUA), coupled with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the immediate future of competitive sport, Laurentian University has made difficult decisions with regards to the operation of our athletic programs, in particular as it relates to reducing the hours of coaching staff and impact on recreation and athletics staff. These decisions were made with consideration to how best to balance the mentoring and support of athletes and follows our decision to close the Ben Avery Complex to all but our student athletes.
We remain grateful to these coaches for their commitment to Laurentian athletes. Coaches accompany and support our athletes as they strive towards personal greatness. They inspire our athletes, mobilize them, and cheer them on as they challenge them to be their best.
It is a commitment we share as a University. We recognize the deep disappointment that our student athletes are certainly feeling as they receive this news. Our teams are here to help, whether with academic support, health and wellness support, or mental health support. We are dedicated to helping you succeed.
We remain committed to serving our student athletes and ensuring that they are supported as they continue to train. I also want to assure you that Laurentian is maintaining academic and athletic scholarships awarded earlier this year. Laurentian will provide student athletes with supports through mental health counseling, sport administrative support, continued representation within the OUA/USport and access to training facilities.
We are dedicated to seeing you return to your sport as soon as it is safe to do so.