The purpose of this petition is to gather those who respectfully disagree with the University of Delaware’s handling of issues related to alleged events involving the UD Men’s D1 Club Ice Hockey Team.

The Team has been prohibited from taking part in all organized activity, including suspension for the entirety of the 2017-2018 season, after allegations relating to marijuana manifested in a $100 cleaning fee, billed from the Holiday Inn Express in Fort Collins, Colorado. The team stayed at the hotel during a mid-November trip for games against both Colorado and Colorado State.

We the undersigned believe that the sanction already imposed—canceling of the team’s 2016-2017 conference and national championship appearances—was sufficiently punitive and more in line with the alleged misbehavior.

As members, alumni, and supporters of the University of Delaware Hockey program, we believe that the privilege of playing hockey at UD, coupled with the formal education received, creates a unique, positive experience that forever impacts careers and lives. We desperately want to preserve that special experience for current and future student-athletes, without further interruption.

The Alumni have pledged to help mentor the team next year and beyond, particularly in helping develop an internal “no tolerance” policy that would include implementation of tactics such as room-by room check-ins by team captains and coaching staff on all road trips. This will raise awareness of the importance of University policies and proactively mitigate the risk of any future issues.

This program has been known for its off-ice contributions in addition to its athletic achievements and by suspending the team, an immediate gap is also created in serving the local community. Since 2010, the team has annually supported UDance and the B+ Foundation, local armed forces through Military Appreciation Night, local troops through Boy Scout Night, cancer support organizations through Breast Cancer Awareness Night, and local youth hockey teams, all of which have fortified the organization's positive social reputation in the Newark community.

As for reflection, each and every team member—as a result of the cancellation of their 2017 post-season—has had time to absorb the seriousness of maintaining exemplary conduct and of compliance with all University policies. This has been agonizing for these young men, and they are ready to adjust and move forward.

The University of Delaware Hockey Alumni Association is proud of its history of supporting the team and the University alike, and it is our aim to continue to foster the excellent working relationship we have had with the University, in hopes of together positively impacting the careers and lives of current and future generations of student-athletes. To that end, and as a matter of fairness, it is our request and hope that the sanction be reduced to a Deferred Suspension, which allows these good works to continue.