Villanova backs out of Icer game

The farewell weekend for the Penn State ice hockey team's seniors is one game shorter due to the cancellation of Friday night's game against Villanova. The Icers' final home game Saturday against the University of Findlay is still on. Starting time for that game is 3:30 p.m.

Penn State coach Joe Battista said Villanova contacted him late Tuesday afternoon to inform him that the team would not be coming for the game. Battista said Villanova will drop its ice hockey program from Div. III varsity status to a club sport next season. He also said that when the announcement was made, the current Villanova team decided it didn't want to finish the remainder of the 1997-98 schedule.

Calls made yesterday to the Villanova ice hockey office, athletic department and head coach Nick Russo for an official explanation were not returned before deadline.

"We're very disappointed," Battista said. "The Icers and our fans are going to pay a price for this."

The downgrade of Villanova's ice hockey program is apparently a result of Title IX. In 1993, a Gender Equity Committee at Villanova established a five-year plan which included the addition of women's crew and women's water polo as varsity sports. Men's water polo and men's ice hockey were to become club sports in 1998. Battista said the Villanova ice hockey program held hope that it would remain a varsity team, but when the decision officially came down, the Wildcats decided not to finish their season.

Battista attempted to schedule another team to take Villanova's place, but since most teams' seasons are over, no other schools could make it for the game on such short notice.

"I literally spent 24 hours on the phone to try and find a replacement," Battista said.

Instead, the Icers will use the time slot as a practice. Battista said he didn't want to have a Blue-White game for fear of injuries.

"We're not going to jeopardize our run for a national title by doing anything out of the ordinary," Battista said.

Icer senior and co-captain Tom Westfall said he was a little disappointed that he'll only have one more chance to play at Penn State.

"Usually senior weekend consists of two games," Westfall said. "But Coach really tried to get another game for us to get ready for nationals."

Anyone who bought tickets in advance for the game against Villanova should contact the ticket office at The Bryce Jordan Center for a refund. Refunds will not be given to season ticket holders, Battista said, because the tickets were discounted to begin with.

"You don't like to see this happen," Battista said. "We tried to no avail to find a replacement. We apologize to our fans."