Panther Sport kicks off season with Mulligan Cup
UPEI reoffers free admission to elementary and high school students for all home games
The University of Prince Edward Island Panthers kicks off the upcoming varsity season this weekend with the first annual Mulligan Cup, an exhibition tournament featuring the UPEI men's and women's soccer teams versus the Holland College Hurricanes and Mount Allison Mounties.
The tournament is named in honour of former UPEI soccer coach and Panther Sport builder, Vince Mulligan, who was one of the first to recognize the global popularity of soccer and its potential for growth on PEI. Mulligan started the UPEI men's soccer program in 1969, coaching the team through to 1982, and including its first game in the AUAA in 1977. Under his guidance, the Panthers reached the 1981 AUAA finals, and in 1982, he led them to a fifth-place ranking in the country. For his efforts, he was named AUAA Coach of the Year.
In the fall of 1983, he switched his cleats for skates, taking over as ‘bench boss' for the UPEI men's hockey team. In five years (from 1983-1988), Mulligan won three AUAA championships, another AUAA Coach of the Year award, and a coaching record of 115 wins against 27 losses. He then turned his attention to women's hockey, starting the UPEI program in 1978, and in 1990, he did the same for women's soccer, reaching the playoffs three times in the program's first four years.
UPEI Director of Athletics and Recreation Ron Annear, a former hockey Panther coached by Mulligan, said, 'Vince was instrumental in establishing three varsity sports at UPEI, successfully coaching another to new heights, and remains to this day one of the Panthers' most dedicated supporters. We are extremely pleased to name this tournament in his honour as a small way to say thank you.'
Games begin Friday night when the Panthers host the Hurricanes at 7:00 (women's) and 9:15 pm (men's). On Saturday, Holland College will play Mount Allison at 1:00 (women's) and 3:15 pm (men's), and, on Sunday, the Panthers will play the Mounties at 11:00 am (women's) and 1:15 pm (men's).
Tickets for the weekend are $5 for each day, or admission is free for anyone who buys a 2011 soccer season pass. All PEI elementary and high school students are again invited to attend all UPEI Panther home games at no charge. For this season, students should bring their school ID to a game to receive a complimentary 2011-12 PEI student varsity pass and a chance to win a Panther clothing package. A draw for the clothing will take place the last Friday of every month for the next six months.
For more information on Panther Sport or for game scores, visit gopanthersgo.ca.
