The powerhouse University of Lethbridge Women’s Rugby team from the late 2000’s is receiving quite the recognition. The three time national champions from 2007, 2008, and 2009 will be inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in May.
“It’s really a great honour,” said former star player Ashley Parker. “We were very excited when we got into the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame, then to hear this is, it kind of feels surreal.”
The most successful team in U of L history has earned plenty of accolades. The Pronghorns were a sight to behold during their championship seasons – a stretch that also saw them win 22 straight conference games.
They weren’t just beating teams, they were destroying them. In 2009, they outscored their opponents 444-13.
“There was no doubt in my mind, barring catastrophe that the 2009 team was not going to win,” said former coach Neil Langevin. “Not just because of the payers, but also the culture that the players had built.”
The storied program wasn’t always so highly regarded. In its inception in 2000, the team struggled mightily, mot winning a game or even scoring a point. They continued to build, and a win over UBC in those early years remains as important to Langevin as any championship.
“I never ever believed we could beat a school the size of UBC with the history of rugby there. That’s my personal highlight.”
The U of L’s induction into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame is truly historic – it’s the first time a rugby team has ever been inducted. The ceremony is scheduled for May 29.
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