Red Deer College recently announced a plan to overhaul its athletics programs, when the institution converts to Red Deer University in the near future.

“This is the ideal time for us to evolve and adopt names that are not gender based.”

The above mentioned reason has caused a lot of discussion and debate around the community. 

Changing the names of Red Deer University athletics teams will forever impact the great history of these programs. The Kings and Queens have been an integral part of athletics in Central Alberta, while also having an impact across the country. The royal legacy is a foundational principal that these proud programs have worked so hard to achieve for over 50 years. Many believe there is no sound reason to take away something that has such a rare and rich history. Doing so would be an irreversible and costly mistake that will impact thousands of proud alumni and community members past and present.

At a time we should be celebrating the growth of our institution into a university, without any consultation with the public, RDC alienates over 50 years of proud alumni and supporters. Alumnus or community members, please add your name if you feel that RDC should keep the Kings and Queens.