LETHBRIDGE – The head coach of three seasons for the Pronghorn women's rugby team, Ric Suggitt's impact reverberated through the program, department and community and left a lasting affect to this day.
 
Joining the Pronghorns from the USA National Women's Sevens program in 2015, Suggitt's impact was immediate on the rugby program leading the program to a surprising return to the National Championship tournament but it was his influence away from the sport that remains.
 
He became an immediate mentor among his peers within Pronghorn Athletics, both coaches and administrators and pushing the envelope to strive to make the entire program better.
 
Following his sudden passing in the summer of 2017 and thanks to generous donor, the Ric Suggitt Women's Rugby Memorial Award was established and proudly awards a yearly scholarship to a Pronghorn women's rugby player that demonstrates outstanding leadership both on and off the field of play.
 
If you are interested in supporting and donating to the Ric Suggitt Women's Rugby Memorial Award, please click HERE
 
Within the Lethbridge community, his influence has been well documented, spotlighted by his mentorship of Logan Boulet. Following Ric's passing and learning of his organ donation, Logan made the decision to follow Ric's lead and let his family know head wanted to bea donor on his 21^st birthday. This decision ultimately led to the Logan Boulet effect following the Humboldt Bronco tragedy and exponentially expanded organ donors in Canada and around the world.
 
The Boulet family have had deep ties to the Pronghorn family for more than 30 years and will match donations up to $2727.27 of the Ric Suggitt Women's Rugby Memorial Award. Bernie Boulet played for the Pronghorn women's soccer team, Toby Boulet is one of the founders and long-time manager of the Pronghorn rugby team, while Mariko played one season with the rugby program.
 
"Ric had an amazing impact on many people," says the Boulet family. "However, his impact on our son Logan has grown to exponential proportions by the decision of Ric and his family that inspired Logan to become an organ donor if he too passed and we all know the story too well."
 
Logan had planned to follow in his parents' footsteps and was registered to attend the U of L to become a teacher and also wanted to be a coach.
 
Saturday September 18^th marks the opening of the Canada West Rugby season and the Pronghorn women's rugby team will host the Alberta Pandas in the first leg of the Suggitt Cup, a two game total point series between the Pronghorns and Pandas. Admission for Saturday's game is free and kick-off is slated for 7:00pm.