Two associate professors in the department of history lead national research associations

In a coincidence that reflects the expertise within UPEI's Department of History, two faculty members are currently presidents of their respective national research associations. Dr. Ed MacDonald is in his second year as president of the Canadian Catholic Historical Association (CCHA), and Dr. James Moran is beginning his first year as president of the Canadian Society for the History of Medicine (CSHM).

UPEI Athletics and Recreation has launched the 2013-14 Panthers Season Pass program. Season Passes are now available for Men's/Women's Soccer, Women's Rugby, Men's Hockey, Women's Hockey, and Men's/Women's Basketball. All teams have been busy preparing for the upcoming season, and have bolstered rosters with a strong combination of incoming and returning student-athletes. This year, UPEI is proud to host the AUS (W) Rugby Championship October 26-27 and the AUS (W) Basketball Championship March 7-9.

New this year is a youth rate, non-UPEI student rate, and the availability of a family game ticket and season pass. This new offering is an affordable way for families to take in a Panthers game and to provide young people an opportunity to get to know and watch UPEI student-athletes.
In 2012-13, the Panthers excelled both on and off the playing surfaces with 14 AUS All-Stars, 4 AUS All-Rookie Team Members, 3 CIS All Canadians. For the 2011-12 season, 57 were named CIS Academic All-Canadians. Team highlights included playoff visits by Men's/Women's Soccer, Men's Basketball, and Men's/Women's Hockey. With a strong recruitment effort, the 2013-14 season promises to reach even greater heights as teams pursue AUS and CIS championships.

Revenues from season pass sales go directly to the teams to support costs and to fund Athletic Financial Awards for student-athletes.

Season pass renewals have begun and now are open to the greater public for purchase by either visiting Panther Central at the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre, calling 566-0368, or e-mailing panthercentral@upei.ca. For more information, visit gopanthersgo.ca.

About UPEI Athletics and Recreation
• Nine varsity sports and six club team programs
• Proud member of the AUS and CIS
• Athletic facilities include: Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre, UPEI Alumni Canada Games Place
• Other facilities available to students and the community at large include: fitness centre, squash and racquetball courts, competition and leisure pool with hot tub, and two ice arenas

The UPEI Panthers are busy this weekend-at community events across PEI, at the 2013 Canada Summer Games, and one, Suzanne Nicholson, even swimming across the Northumberland Strait, raising money for the UPEI Swimming team.

Pride the Panther was spotted at the Gold Cup Parade in Charlottetown on Friday accompanying the Ocean/Hot 105.5 parade float. Members of the UPEI Men's Hockey team will also join Pride in eastern PEI on Saturday when they make an appearance at the 2013 Kraft Celebration Tour in Morell as TSN gets set to broadcast Sportscentre live from the banks of the Morell River. During the broadcast, it is expected that former UPEI Men's Basketball coach George Morrison, from the Morrell area, will be profiled.

In Sherbrooke, Quebec, the 2013 Canada Summer Games will wrap up on Saturday. Nineteen UPEI Panthers either competed with or coached Team PEI at the two-week, multi-sport event. The team will be arriving home at the Charlottetown airport midday Sunday.

Suzanne Nicholson, a fifth-year UPEI student-athlete will embark on her 'Suzanne conquers the Strait' fundraiser on Sunday, August 18, selected as the best day for tides, wind, and weather. This year marks Nicholson's last on the team and she hopes her fundraiser will motivate her teammates and the UPEI community-she hopes to raise $10,000 for the UPEI swim team. She expects to leave New Brunswick at 7:45 am and arrive in Borden around noon. Donations can be made by calling Panther Central at 902-566-0368 or by visiting Suzanne's Facebook page called Suzanne conquers the Strait.

Go Panthers go!

Forbes MacPherson, head coach of the UPEI men's hockey Panthers, is pleased to announce the addition of European forward Robin Soudek to this year's lineup.

'Soudek is a gifted playmaker, he can score goals, and he has a very solid two-way game that will complement our style of play,' said MacPherson. 'Soudek has been high on our radar for a couple of years because we know he will add depth to our club in all facets of the game. We are very pleased that he has committed to the University of Prince Edward Island.'

Soudek, a native of České Budějovice, Czech Republic played four years in the Western Hockey League, scoring 27 goals and 57 points for the Victoria Royals in 2011-12. He started last season in the Czech pro league playing alongside locked-out NHL stars Andrew Ference, Vinny Prospal, and Martin Hanzal, but was limited to 11 games due to injury. Soudek also played for the Czech Republic in two World Junior Hockey Championships.

'One of my former coaches referred to me as a European-skilled player with a North American heart which is a great description of the player I desire to be,' said Soudek, a 5'11', 194-lb right winger. 'I like to think I bring a lot of experience and leadership to the Panthers. I feel my game is very well-suited for the Atlantic University Conference, and I hope to contribute in many ways to the Panthers.'

Soudek said his partial season in the professional ranks has given him a better understanding of the importance of being a more complete and team-focused player.

'To be successful, you have to play within the team structure, follow the game plan, and you have to be prepared to do the little things. Even if you are the most skilled player on the team, you have to be a hard worker in all ends of the rink, and that is what my focus will be as a member of the Panthers,' said Soudek.

The 22-year-old has never been to Prince Edward Island but has done some research on the province, the team, and the fans.

'I chose PEI because they play in the best university hockey conference in Canada and the team is moving in the right direction. The university is small, friendly, and the PEI fans are in love with the team. I can't wait to get there and take the next step in my hockey career,' he said.

The Panthers finished as the #9 ranked team in the CIS last year.

'Being a student-athlete at UPEI is a unique and rewarding experience. I want to welcome Robin Soudek to the Panther family and I look forward to the many positive contributions he will make to our University on and off the ice,' said UPEI Director of Athletics and Recreation Bill Schurman.

Season passes for 2013-2014 are now on sale. Tickets are $160 for all 14 games and they guarantee a seat for playoff games. This year, student and youth rates have been added. For more information visit gopanthersgo.ca.

UPEI congratulates fifth-year student Suzanne Nicholson who conquered the Northumberland Strait on Sunday, August 18. The UPEI swim team member created the fundraiser in hopes of raising $10,000 for the team-and she exceeded that goal!

After raising close to $11,000, Suzanne set out at 7:45 am for the 13+ km swim which took her about 5.5 hours to complete.

'Well, I must say, I'm glad it's over with,' said Nicholson. 'Before my swim, I was really excited and just ready to get in and swim. Throughout, the swim was a different story, though. The water was a lot rougher than I expected and the current was a lot stronger. It was frustrating at times, but once I hit the beach, I was so happy it was over with.'

Nicholson joins a rather exclusive list of elite swimmers who have dared to take on the Strait.

Congratulations, Suzanne... UPEI is so proud!!

UPEI Panthers training camps for fall sports get underway this weekend. The UPEI Turf Field and UPEI Alumni Canada Games Place will come alive with student-athletes competing for roster spots.

Orientations and first training sessions are at the following times:

Friday, August 23
6:00 pm Soccer Orientation at Main 117

Saturday, August 24
9:00 am-12:00 pm Soccer Training at Turf Field

Sunday, August 25
12:00 pm Women's Rugby Orientation at HSB 104

Monday, August 26
9:00-11:00 am Women's Rugby Training at Alumni Canada Games Place

Tuesday, August 27
9:00 am Field Hockey Orientation at Memorial 308
12:30-2:30 pm Field Hockey Training at Turf Field

The first exhibition action at home will be during the Mulligan Cup next weekend when the UPEI men's and women's soccer teams take to the pitch.

Season passes are now on sale and can be purchased at Panther Central at the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre, by calling (902) 566-0368, or filling out the online form at gopanthersgo.ca.

About UPEI Athletics and Recreation

• Nine varsity sports and six club team programs
• Proud member of the AUS and CIS
• Athletic facilities include: Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre, UPEI Alumni Canada Games Place, and UPEI Turf Field
• Other facilities include: fitness centre, squash and racquetball courts
  
  

The UPEI men's and women's varsity soccer teams will take to the pitch in competition play August 31-September 1 for the third annual Mulligan Cup tournament. Official home openers will take place on September 7 against the University of New Brunswick.

The Mulligan Cup-an invitational tournament created in honour of Vince Mulligan, UPEI varsity soccer and hockey coach throughout the 80s and 90s-provides an excellent opportunity for coaches to witness their prospective athletes in action before making final team cuts for roster spots. The tournament has proven to be a great way to kick off the season and showcase the teams to their many supporters.

'I really look forward to this time of year when teams get a chance to look at the new athletes in camp,' said Mulligan, who will be taking in the soccer action this weekend at UPEI. 'You always go in to a new year with great expectations and you can see it in the athletes' eyes and through their actions on the field. That's what makes this tournament so great to watch.'

Competing on the women's side are the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues, the Mount Allison Mounties, the Acadia Axewomen, and the UPEI Panthers, while the UPEI men's soccer team will tangle with the Mount Allison Mounties and the Université de Moncton Aigles Blues. Also on the men's side, PEI's senior men's provincial champions, PEIFC, will provide competition to round out the schedule.

Admission for tournament games is $6/day and can be purchased during the tournament or by contacting Panther Central at (902) 566-0368 or panthercentral@upei.ca. Season passes are also now on sale.

The University of Prince Edward Island extends its condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of honorary degree recipient James (Jim) Palmer. Palmer, who was granted an honorary doctor of laws degree in 1998 from UPEI, passed away on August 27 at the age of 84 at his home in Calgary.

Originally from Prince Edward Island, Palmer and his family have a long record of public service on PEI-his direct ancestors include two PEI premiers, several judges, and a Father of Confederation. That commitment to public service and public policy is demonstrated through the Palmer Conference, a conference committed to public sector leadership and named in honour of the Palmer family. He and his wife Barbara provided continuous support for the conference, UPEI, and the province that they always called 'home.' The Palmers have a summer residence in Keppoch, Prince Edward Island.

Jim Palmer was an individual who had a combined successful legal and business career, as well as a lifelong interest in public policy and Canadian institutions of governance. After completing his law degree at Dalhousie University in 1952, the fifth-generation lawyer moved to Calgary where he is remembered for law, business, education, public service, and philanthropy.

The University of Prince Edward Island extends its condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of honorary degree recipient James (Jim) Palmer. Palmer, who was granted an honorary doctor of laws degree in 1998 from UPEI, passed away on August 27 at the age of 84 at his home in Calgary.
Originally from Prince Edward Island, Palmer and his family have a long record of public service on PEI—his direct ancestors include two PEI premiers, several judges, and a Father of Confederation. That commitment to public service and public policy is demonstrated through the Palmer Conference, a conference committed to public sector leadership and named in honour of the Palmer family. He and his wife Barbara provided continuous support for the conference, UPEI, and the province that they always called “home.” The Palmers have a summer residence in Keppoch, Prince Edward Island.
Jim Palmer was an individual who had a combined successful legal and business career, as well as a lifelong interest in public policy and Canadian institutions of governance. After completing his law degree at Dalhousie University in 1952, the fifth-generation lawyer moved to Calgary where he is remembered for law, business, education, public service, and philanthropy.

UPEI congratulates fifth-year student Suzanne Nicholson who conquered the Northumberland Strait on Sunday, August 18. The UPEI swim team member created the fundraiser in hopes of raising $10,000 for the team—and she exceeded that goal!
After raising close to $11,000, Suzanne set out at 7:45 am for the 13+ km swim which took her about 5.5 hours to complete.
“Well, I must say, I'm glad it’s over with,” said Nicholson. “Before my swim, I was really excited and just ready to get in and swim. Throughout, the swim was a different story, though. The water was a lot rougher than I expected and the current was a lot stronger. It was frustrating at times, but once I hit the beach, I was so happy it was over with.”
Nicholson joins a rather exclusive list of elite swimmers who have dared to take on the Strait.
Congratulations, Suzanne... UPEI is so proud!!