UBC delays decision to join NCAA
VANCOUVER (CUP) — The UBC Thunderbirds are staying in the CIS, at least for now.
Applications for membership to the NCAA were due June 1, and UBC felt that there were too many unresolved issues to go ahead with a membership application this year.
Regional rivals Simon Fraser University announced this summer that they would be joining the NCAA Division II Great Northwest Athletic Conference for the 2011-2012 season.
According to Bob Philip, Director of Athletics and Recreation, one of the main issues holding UBC back from applying was determining where the school's ice hockey teams would play. Currently most Division II schools don't have hockey programs, leaving only Division I, or the much smaller Division III, as options for the teams.
Another issue is the NCAA's regulation that all member schools be academically accredited by an American academic association. While some faculties at UBC supported this move, it was far from universal.
A survey was done at UBC to gauge interest in moving to the NCAA and found that only 48 per cent of respondents favoured such a move. However, the sample size of the survey was low and some have questioned whether or not it is actually indicative of the feelings on campus. Philip believes that most fans wouldn't care too much whether the Thunderbirds fought for CIS championships or NCAA gold.
Indicating that although there was no need to come to an immediate decision, Philip believes that the membership issue will be resolved this year and stressed that the key would be determining what was best for the student athletes: the NCAA or the current CIS/NAIA split the school currently uses.
Applications for membership to the NCAA were due June 1, and UBC felt that there were too many unresolved issues to go ahead with a membership application this year.
Regional rivals Simon Fraser University announced this summer that they would be joining the NCAA Division II Great Northwest Athletic Conference for the 2011-2012 season.
According to Bob Philip, Director of Athletics and Recreation, one of the main issues holding UBC back from applying was determining where the school's ice hockey teams would play. Currently most Division II schools don't have hockey programs, leaving only Division I, or the much smaller Division III, as options for the teams.
Another issue is the NCAA's regulation that all member schools be academically accredited by an American academic association. While some faculties at UBC supported this move, it was far from universal.
A survey was done at UBC to gauge interest in moving to the NCAA and found that only 48 per cent of respondents favoured such a move. However, the sample size of the survey was low and some have questioned whether or not it is actually indicative of the feelings on campus. Philip believes that most fans wouldn't care too much whether the Thunderbirds fought for CIS championships or NCAA gold.
Indicating that although there was no need to come to an immediate decision, Philip believes that the membership issue will be resolved this year and stressed that the key would be determining what was best for the student athletes: the NCAA or the current CIS/NAIA split the school currently uses.
