The final push to salvage Robert Morris University's hockey program is on.
Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 11:59 p.m. is the deadline for the university and the Pittsburgh College Hockey Foundation to raise $1.4 million in immediate contributions and $1.4 million in pledges.
The deadline will mark the end of a whirlwind seven months for those trying to keep the men's and women's teams on the ice.
The university abruptly announced in May it was dissolving the hockey program, citing cost. After the decision was met with overwhelming negative backlash and threats of legal action, university leaders announced they were partnering with PCHF to raise money to save the program.
As of Tuesday morning, PCHF co-founder Logan Bittle said they were within reach of their goal at $2.6 million in total contributions.
"That just goes to show you how many people care about these programs, how well supported they are," Bittle said. "It just means the world to us."
Donations have come by way of online contributions, fundraising events and season ticket sales.
Bittle said the surge in season ticket sales has been one of the most pleasant surprises.
"We had, between the men's and women's teams, the highest season ticket totals of hockey ever," he said. "It would be one of the highest season tickets if not the highest season ticket number of any sport at the school."
Bittle expects a decision to come from the school soon after Wednesday's deadline. Though he's not sure what that decision will be, he said he's blown away by the response from the community.
"Hopefully, no matter what the money total ends up at, we're able to kind of show that to the school that we're viable to have these programs and necessary to have these programs because of the ability to compete both on and off the ice, in the classroom, but also sustain this type of support."
Supporters can donate online, buy season tickets or contribute via Chip In.