Pronghorns basketball announces new title sponsor

By Lethbridge Herald on January 8, 2026.

Nathan Reiter

Lethbridge Herald

The University of Lethbridge Pronghorns will have a new title sponsor moving forward.

Ward Bros. Construction will be investing $150,000 into the Pronghorn basketball programs and scholarship endowment over the next five years. The U of L Board of Governors will match $25,000 to double the endowment. 

During a media availability at the Co-op Centre for Health & Wellness on Wednesday, Pronghorn Executive Director of Athletics and Recreation Neil Langevin says the school is thankful for the support.

“We’re extremely proud to welcome Ward Bros. as the title sponsor of our Pronghorn basketball programs, both the men’s and women’s teams, and as a long-term partner in building opportunities for students through sport. To the Ward family, to Darren, and to everyone at Ward Bros. Construction, thank you for believing in our student athletes in this university and the power to strengthen our community through sport. We look forward to what we will build together in the years to come.”

“It allows us to compete with the best programs in U SPORTS while still staying true to our community-focused identity. This particular investment strengthens our ability to recruit, develop, and support student athletes at the highest level, both in the classroom and in competition.”

As a result of the new partnership, both Pronghorn basketball teams will debut new sponsor patches on their uniforms this weekend when they host MacEwan Griffins.

Ward Bros. Chief Financial Officer Darren Boras was in attendance for the announcement and spoke to the Herald. Boras is a Pronghorn alumni and says the Pronghorns share similar qualities to the Ward Bros. organization. 

“Community involvement is something very much part of our organization that we really believe in no matter where we are working across Southern Alberta and also this one has the personal touch of being an alumni and a former member of the Horns. It’s just finding ways that match with our core values and our mission statement. There’s a lot of similarities between the Horns mission or their core values and ours.”

While the Pronghorns players will look to compete on the court for Canada West championships, Boras says it’s important to invest in student-athletes as people as well. 

“Being part of team sports is huge for your social development. You’re constantly around your team and here it’s the men’s team and the women’s team, you’re constantly surrounded by these people, you interact with them all the time, builds good social skills. It builds just that whole camaraderie, they’re like your family. For the Ward Bros. family, it’s just an extension of our family. To add the Horns to our sort of family in a more formal way is just a blessing. We’re very grateful and very excited to see how this goes for the next five years.”

Several players from both the men’s and women’s basketball team were in attendance for the announcement.

“It really means a lot coming from alumni such as yourself that’s been through it all, been a captain, won a Canada West Championship.” said fourth year men’s guard Bryce Solis. “You’re like the example that we want to look up to. As we go forward in our career, we want to also be alumni like you, giving back to the program.”

The Pronghorns are in action on Friday night when they welcome the MacEwan Griffins to the Co-op Centre for Health & Wellness. The women tip off at 6 p.m. followed by the men at 8.