The Lakeland College Rustlers women’s basketball is on my mind again this week.
With new rumours hitting the streets every day and so many unknowns, it’s hard to know what the future holds for the team or lack thereof.
The team has gone through the wringer since head coach Chris King was put on administrative leave on Nov. 28 and fired on Dec. 5.
The Source is still working on investigating the college’s external investigation into the incident that led to King’s release, but here’s what we know as of now.
Since Lakeland refuses to play ball and be transparent, this is what we can share this week.
The Rustlers are set to return to play on Jan. 17 in Edmonton against the Concordia University Thunder. Rumour has it King’s replacement was hired over the Christmas break.
The college has not communicated any information on the new coach, but multiple unnamed sources have told the us King’s replacement is Todd Aughey, whose wife, Janice, happens to be the Dean of Lakeland’s School of Health and Wellness. I was somewhat curious why the college didn’t communicate Aughey’s hiring to the public, but a quick Google search showed a dismal on-court record.
Another unnamed source with close ties to the team told the Source the girls are refusing to play on Jan. 17 after what happened to King. This leads me to believe there won’t be women’s basketball at Lakeland for the remainder of this school year.
This also leaves even more unanswered questions. What happens to athlete eligibility? What happens to their scholarships? What happens to Lakeland concerning the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference? Will there be fines and suspensions from the organization? What about the athlete responsible for lighting the match?
Another source thinks the college is hoping this disappears from people’s focus. They also, however, think it’s about to get a shot of nitrous oxide.
To the players and coaches involved, I know what appears to be a legal gong show wasn’t in the plan for post-secondary athletics, just know none of you deserve any of this. Lakeland College, do better.
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