A Catholic college posted a direct plea for hockey donations, but the coach had no idea what was coming

Mercyhurst University formally announced the discontinuation of its men’s ice hockey program on Friday, just two days after directly soliciting donations for the now-disbanded team. The private Catholic school in Erie, Pennsylvania issued a statement detailing “a series of academic program adjustments” alongside “the discontinuation of its Division I Men’s Ice Hockey program,” as reported by BroBible. The men’s program will not return for the 2026-27 season.

The university stated that its decisions reflect a “comprehensive strategy focused on long-term viability and alignment with student demand.” Mercyhurst confirmed it will honor athletic scholarships for all affected student-athletes and assist those choosing to pursue opportunities through the NCAA transfer portal. The women’s hockey team and the club team will remain active.

Mercyhurst, established nearly 100 years ago, enrolls approximately 2,600 students and transitioned most of its athletic programs to Division I by joining the NEC effective July 1, 2024. The men’s hockey program began as a club sport before advancing through Division III and Division II before reaching Division I, joining the MAAC in 1999.

The donation post went live less than 48 hours before the program was cut

The team made three NCAA Tournament appearances, in 2001, 2003, and 2005, and won its conference tournament three times. The program had not posted a winning record since the 2017-18 season, finishing this past year 6-28-3 overall and 5-18-3 in conference play, a stretch of decline that mirrors broader debates about college athletics legacy, not unlike the Isiah Thomas challenge to Jordan’s record that resurfaced this week.

Mercyhurst held its annual Giving Day on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. The university’s official messaging encouraged donors to “make a gift to Mercyhurst University Athletics,” stating that support “plays a vital role in sustaining the growth, competitiveness, and overall experience of our student-athletes,” with the option to designate funds to a specific team.

At 1:35 PM ET on March 25, 2026, a video was posted to the men’s hockey team’s X account featuring Head Coach Tom Peffall directly asking for contributions. “Support our men’s hockey program this Giving Day! Anything helps, big or small, we appreciate all our donors,” Peffall said. It is unclear how many donors contributed specifically to the men’s program as a result of that post, or how much was raised.

The donation post remained active on the team’s X account after the discontinuation was announced, a detail that drew significant criticism online. The gap between the public fundraising appeal and the program’s elimination, less than 48 hours, is another instance of an institutional decision causing public fallout before communications were managed, not unlike the ICE lawyers filing error that trapped thousands and sparked widespread outrage earlier this week.

Mercyhurst has not issued any statement addressing the timing of the Giving Day solicitation relative to the program’s discontinuation.