Faculty and staff take on UPEI Women’s Hockey in fundraising game March 14

On March 14 at 3 pm, the campus community is invited to MacLauchlan Arena (Rink A) at the Bell Aliant Centre to watch faculty and staff take on the UPEI Women's Hockey Panthers in a fun fundraising game. Come cheer on student-athletes and colleagues in what is sure to be an entertaining display of hockey greatness. Admission is free, but “admission by donation” is encouraged to support the women's hockey program. 

For this special game, Jane Vessey, Director of Athletics and Recreation, will coach the UPEI Women’s Hockey Panthers, while Dr. Greg Keefe, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor, will be the bench boss for the faculty and staff team. The employee squad comprises players from the faculties of Arts, Business, Science, Veterinary Medicine, and Medicine; the departments of Development and Alumni Engagement, Marketing and Communications, Athletics and Recreation, and Facilities Management; and the Office of the Registrar.

Dr. Dany MacDonald, Professor, Applied Human Sciences, who also serves as the Panthers’ sports psychologist, organized the game along with “Rusty” Ron Annear, Varsity Sport Coordinator with UPEI Athletics and Recreation. MacDonald and Annear have put together a stellar line-up of employees. 

“Word on the street,” said MacDonald, “is that the staff in Dalton Hall is planning an ‘everyone attend’ movement...let's get other departments and faculties out there! There is also a buzz around the Bell Aliant Centre that many are cheering for the Panthers as they don’t want Rusty Ron’s faculty-staff team to win.” 

Members of the UPEI Men’s Hockey team will officiate the game, and the announcer will be Donnie McFadyen who started the UPEI Women's Hockey program in 2000–2001, serving as head coach for the first five years and then continuing as manager until 2022. 

This new event will hopefully become an annual fundraising spectacle between faculty/staff and students. We look forward to seeing everyone at the game!