Huskie Salute cancelled, honourees to be named on Friday

The Huskie Salute — held annually to recognize award-winners and graduating student-athletes at the University of Saskatchewan — was supposed to be held Friday.

Now, with the COVID-19 global pandemic hitting sports bodies and organizations away from the playing fields, the traditional event has been cancelled.

Instead, Huskie Athletics will go ahead and release the names of the award-winners through social media — without, of course, the socializing part.

“We’re going to celebrate digitally,” said Dave Hardy, chief athletics officer for Huskie Athletics.

“We’ll announce our award-winners to all of our athletes, who are all aware that will happen.”

Looking back, Hardy said it’s been an “outstanding year” for Huskie athletes and teams.

“It’s unfortunate that, with four Canada West championships (women’s basketball, men’s hockey, men’s wrestling and women’s track and field) and a national championship (women’s basketball), and others ranked in the top three, we are unable to get together as a group,” noted Hardy. “That’s one of the outcomes of where we’re at today.”

Lisa Thomaidis, head coach of the national champion U of S Huskies women’s basketball squad, said she understands the situation but it’s good that there’s still an alternative to proceed with the awards night.

“I think it’s really important to acknowledge and recognize those student-athletes and being able to do things remotely and over social media will be good, and not just see things come to an abrupt end,” she said.

Hardy, who has been on the job for less than a year, has been navigating unchartered territory. He is working remotely from home, like other staff members with Huskie Athletics. There have been ongoing discussions and meetings, by phone or electronically, as they prepare for next season.

“With all of us now with

Huskie Athletics now working digitally — we’re all going to be working just a little bit differently,” Hardy said.

“Our coaches continue to put together plans to work to support our student-athletes as much as possible, academically and their overall wellness, touching base with strength and conditioning, which is a bit more of a challenge given the state of all our gymnasiums (and training facilities). We continue to plan for the 2021 season: our pre-season plan, our fundraisers, our assistant coaches, our technical plan — all sorts of stuff.

The Huskies are already tentatively progressing with football schedules. Court sports and hockey are just around the corner.