Jan. 15, 2008

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - NCAA Division II delegates approved a pilot program Monday allowing Canadian schools to apply for membership as soon as June 1, which could lead to Canadians competing in some Division I sports.

The program was approved by a vote of 258-9 on the final day of the NCAA convention and takes effect immediately.

Details still must be worked out, but the concept is designed to allow Canadian schools to enter into the pilot program and explore membership. Schools that meet the June 1 application deadline could start the process of joining Division II as soon as the 2008-2009 academic year.

The program allows the NCAA to study any logistical challenges from competing outside the United States.

The University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University are among six Canadian schools that have discussed NCAA membership. Simon Fraser belonged to the NAIA for more than 30 years before its American competitors moved to NCAA's Division II.

Some Canadian schools want to be able to award full athletic scholarships, which aren't allowed at Canadian universities.

B.C. schools treading carefully on sports move south

NCAA opens the door to teams from UBC, SFU -- but officials express caution

Dan Stinson, Vancouver Sun

Published: Tuesday, January 15, 2008

The door is now open to Canadian schools joining the NCAA, but both UBC and SFU aren't ready to step through it quite yet.

While delegates at the National Collegiate Athletic Association annual convention in Nashville approved possible Canadian schools membership on Monday, it will be some time before the University of B.C. and Simon Fraser University decide whether to seek membership in the U.S. college network.

Reacting to news that NCAA Division II delegates overwhelmingly approved a pilot program allowing Canadian schools to apply for membership as soon as June 1, UBC athletics director Bob Philip said: "This is just the start of a process that needs to be thoroughly discussed on our campus."

Philip's thoughts were echoed by Diane St-Denis, SFU's acting athletics director.

"This must involve discussions with many people on campus, not just those involved in athletics," said St-Denis.

The delegates' vote was 258-9 in favour of the pilot program on the final day of the convention. It takes effect immediately.

The pilot program could eventually lead to Canadian schools competing in some NCAA Division I sports. Several details still must be worked out, but the concept is designed to allow Canadian schools to explore membership.

The program allows the NCAA to study any logistical challenges from competing outside the U.S. Schools that meet the June 1 deadline could start the process of joining Division II as soon as the 2008-09 academic year.

"We were pretty excited by how it [the pilot program] was received," said Philip. "It was a good motion and it was well written. Now we begin a process of discussions on campus. There are a lot of things that have to be discussed, including finding a [NCAA Division II] conference to play in. Those discussions will be on a sport-by-sport basis. There are a whole bunch of different options."

Philip said those options include playing in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference and the Pacific West Conference of Division II. The closest school to UBC in the GNAC is Western Washington, which is located in Bellingham, and closest PWC school to UBC is Dixie College of St. George, Utah.

"It's great that the restrictions for NCAA membership have come off," said Philip. "But finding a conference to play in is another matter. We've got to discuss which conference best meets our needs for athletics. While most of our teams play in Canadian Interuniversity Sport, we have some teams, such as baseball, playing in the [U.S.-based] NAIA."

SFU is more evenly divided between CIS and NAIA membership. While its basketball, volleyball and football teams play in CIS, the soccer, cross-country and track and field teams compete in the NAIA.

"I'm pleased that the NCAA has seen the value of adding Canadian schools," said St-Denis. "But there's a gap between what we want to do and what we need to do. The questions include whether we're fit psychologically to move up to NCAA, whether we can compete at that level, and whether can we do it financially." St-Denis said SFU's academic faculty would have to be included in discussions about seeking NCAA membership.

"A move to the NCAA isn't just related to athletics," she said. "It also involves a change in how we approach academics for our students, and it plays a big part in the equation."

UBC and SFU are among four Canadian schools that have reportedly discussed NCAA membership. The others are the University of Alberta and St. Claire College of Windsor, Ont.

The University of Victoria has not expressed an interest in joining the NCAA, but athletics director Clint Hamilton said the university is keenly interested in the future of the Canada West conference.

"If UBC and SFU go to the NCAA, it would change the picture of the conference significantly," said Hamilton.

Any school looking to make the move to NCAA would have to deal with substantial changes in the recruiting of athletes. The major difference between membership in CIS and the NCAA is the way athletic scholarships are awarded.

In the NCAA, a Canadian university would be able to award a full-ride scholarship. In CIS, first-year students are able to receive a maximum of tuition, but only if they have a high enough academic average -- at least 80 per cent.

There would also be eligibility issues with hockey teams, as any player with past major junior experience would be ineligible to play in the NCAA. Many former Canadian Hockey League players play for their Canadian schools.

There is a provision in NCAA Division II that allows a school to have a maximum of one men's and one women's team participating in Division I athletics. That means if UBC is successful in getting Division II membership, its hockey team could play in Division I. There is no NCAA Division II hockey program.

If UBC and SFU are not accepted into a Division II conference, the only other option would be to play as an independent.

NCAA Division 2 welcomes interest

But CIS cool to the idea of dual membership

Marc Weber, The Vancouver Province

Published: Tuesday, January 15, 2008

The door to the NCAA was flung wide open for Canadian institutions on Monday.

The door to the CIS might shut behind them if current members decide to go the southern route.

A landslide vote by NCAA Division 2 members at their convention in Nashville has brought the landmark moment of a Canadian school competing in the NCAA one step closer.

The vote was 97 per cent in favour of adopting the 10-year pilot program approved last year by the NCAA executive.

That means Canadian schools can now apply for Division 2 membership and could be playing in the NCAA as soon as 2009-10 (a provisional year), and be eligible to compete for national championships as soon as 2010-11.

The deadline for applications is June 1 of each year and both the University of B.C. and Simon Fraser University will be ramping up the pace of internal dialogue to determine their course of action before this year's deadline.

"It means we're going to get busier," said Diane St. Denis, SFU's pro-tem director of athletics.

Among the issues to weigh will be the question of leaving teams in CIS based on fit, or that sport not being offered in a particular Division 2 conference.

The NCAA told UBC athletic director Bob Philip that it would allow dual affiliation with CIS.

Don't hold your breath, was the message from CIS CEO Marg McGregor.

"Our membership will be the final determiner of this," said McGregor.

"But philosophically, the CIS wants to be made up of schools who want to be part of a Canadian organization.

"I don't expect that a number of concessions would be made in order to accommodate an organization that intends to leave and join the NCAA."

Currently, several CIS schools, including UBC and SFU, hold dual membership in the U.S.-based NAIA in sports such as baseball and track and field.

McGregor said those Canadian NAIA-affiliated schools are competing in sports not offered in CIS, or have historically competed there.

Both UBC and SFU's athletic departments have stated a philosophical alignment with the NCAA, largely based on their approach to athletic scholarships.

Should they go down this road, they would need to find a conference to play in.

Philip met with officials from the Great Northwest Athletic Conference and the Pacific West Conference in Nashville (see box).

"I thought they were really positive," he said of the talks.

"Many of their issues were addressed and the outstanding ones are centred more on the technical aspects of academics -- how we calculate grades, the SAT test -- just certain things we have to get decisions on.

"I think both conferences are looking to add members and there are a lot of positive things to look at there."

SFU has also pegged the GNAC as a strong option, given the fact that it's basically the same schools they used to compete against in the Pacific Northwest Athletic Conference of the NAIA.

"For us, it would be basically going back to our roots," said St. Denis.

Division 2 schools can have one men's and one women's team playing up in Division 1, with the exception of football and basketball.

However, with a moratorium on Division 1 membership until 2011, Philip said that was something on which they still needed clarification.

GNAC OR PACWEST

UBC has met with two Division 2 conferences -- the GNAC and PacWest -- while SFU has also named the GNAC as a desired destination should they apply for NCAA membership.

Here's a quick breakdown of the two:

Name: Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC)

Website: www.gnacsports.com

Established: 2001

Members: 10

States covered: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington

Sports: (Men) Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Soccer, Track & Field; (Women) Basketball, Cross Country, Soccer, Softball, Track & Field, Volleyball

Schools (location, enrolment): University of Alaska Anchorage (16,242), University of Alaska Fairbanks (9,380), Central Washington University (Ellensburg; 10,145), Montana State University (Billings.; 4,600), Northwest Nazarene University (Nampa, Idaho; 1,630), Saint Martin's University (Lacey, Wash.; 1,628), Seattle University (6,123), Seattle Pacific (3,773), Western Oregon University (Monmouth; 5,000), Western Washington (Bellingham; 13,069).

Name: Pacific West Conference (PacWest)

Website: www.pacificwestsports.org

Established: 1992

Members: 7

States covered: Hawaii, California, Arizona, Utah

Schools (location, enrolment): BYU-Hawaii (Laie; 2,400), Chamindale University (Honolulu; 2,132), Dixie State College (St. George, Utah; 7,000), Grand Canyon University (Phoenix, Ariz.; 13,000), University of Hawaii at Hilo (3,045), Hawaii Pacific University (Honolulu; 9,000), Notre Dame De Namur University (Belmont, Calif.; 1,600)

Sports: (Men) Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer; (Women) Basketball, Cross Country, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Volleyball

NCAA opens door for Canadian schools

UVic athletic director says Vikes are staying in the CIS, for now

Cleve Dheensaw, Times Colonist

Published: Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Clint Hamilton, the University of Victoria director of athletics, said he doesn't even want to contemplate a future where Vikes teams would be denied their natural and intense rivalry with the UBC Thunderbirds and SFU Clan.

But that could happen, as the door swung open yesterday to allow Canadian schools to join the U.S.-based National Collegiate Athletic Association.

"Not being able to play UBC or SFU would not be a positive thing for us," said Hamilton.

NCAA Division II delegates overwhelmingly approved a pilot program, by a 258-9 margin at their annual convention yesterday in Nashville, allowing Canadian schools to apply for membership as soon as June 1.

The crux of the issue is support for athletes. The NCAA allows student-athletes to receive what is commonly referred to as 'full rides' -- scholarships which cover tuition, board and books. Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) allows only tuition to be covered. The difference for Canadian athletes can be measured into the thousands of dollars each year and it is estimated 1,500 Canadian athletes are currently playing on NCAA teams in the U.S.

Hamilton said he understands where UBC is coming from.

"UBC is looking for ways to support student-athletes and keep Canada's best in Canada and to use athletic scholarships as a way to do more for Canadian athletes," said Hamilton, also president of the Canada West Conference.

"It's hard to find fault with that philosophy. I am in support of doing all we can for our Canadian student-athletes and keeping our top athletes in our own country. Athletic scholarships are an important component toward that end. I certainly have an understanding of where UBC is coming from."

Hamilton, a former UVic basketball player, said he remembers playing on Vikes teams that boasted several Team Canada Olympians. With the drain of top Canadian collegiate athletes to the NCAA, that is unlikely to happen today.

"It is more the exception than the rule now," lamented Hamilton.

UVic is not considering a jump to the NCAA but Hamilton said no one can predict what the future holds.

"You can never rule anything out. The question now is what the landscape of Canada West and the CIS will look like down the road and who we will be playing and who we potentially won't be playing anymore," said Hamilton.

"Obviously, we're looking on with interest because it does affect us."

Although there has been considerable speculation that UBC will apply to join the NCAA in 2008-09 by this year's June 1 deadline, athletic director Bob Philip isn't diving into the NCAA pool head first -- just yet.

"This is just the start of a process that needs to be thoroughly discussed on our campus," he said.

The pilot program could eventually lead to Canadian schools competing in some NCAA Division I sports.

"We were pretty excited by how it was received," said Philip. "There are a lot of things that have to be discussed, including finding a [NCAA Division II] conference to play in. Those discussions will be on a sport-by-sport basis. It's great that the restrictions for NCAA membership have come off. But finding a conference to play in is another matter. We've got to discuss which conference best meets our needs for athletics."

There would also be eligibility issues with hockey teams, as any player with major-junior experience is ineligible to play in the NCAA. Many former major-junior players play in the CIS. There is a provision in NCAA Division II that allows a school to have a maximum of one men's and one women's team participate in Division I athletics. That means if UBC is successful in getting Division II membership, the Thunderbirds hockey team could play in Division I. There is no NCAA Division II hockey program.

CIS may need to rethink its athletic policies

NCAA offers up alternative, Canadian equivalent needs to address concerns

Dan Barnes, The Edmonton Journal

Published: 1:01 am

Canadian Interuniversity Sport officials aren't panicking, which is fine.

But they ought to be doing something substantive in the wake of a decision by the National Collegiate Athletic Association to accept Division II membership applications from Canadian schools, effective immediately. NCAA members voted 258-9 in favour of the proposal at their annual convention in Nashville on Monday.

University of British Columbia athletic director Bob Philip was there and it's no secret his institution is planning an application for admittance into a Division II athletic conference in the northwest U.S. and may well have the documentation ready by the NCAA's June 1 deadline. Simon Fraser University is also said to be seriously considering a move south, out of the CIS.

The University of Alberta, the most powerful CIS school with 37 national championships in the past 15 years, will now be discussing the issue at the highest level, though the chances of a June 1 application are "slim and none," said Mike Mahon, dean of physical education.

Even so, you might think the very fact the doors are open and major Canadian schools will consider the NCAA's merits would prompt reaction and introspection at CIS headquarters in Ottawa. Apparently not.

"We're always looking for ways to get better. This is not the impetus for that, whatsoever," said Marg McGregor, chief executive officer of the CIS.

It simply has to be. Prior to Monday, there was serious competition for Canadian athletes, and that's debilitating enough. Now there is serious competition for entire schools.

"It's like anything. When the landscape changes nationally and internationally we all have to consider what that means," said Mahon. "I can't speak for the CIS, but I suspect it is a point in time when it deserves some consideration and discussion. To ignore it is not a wise decision."

McGregor said her organization was expecting the NCAA vote for more than a year and has no plans to change the way it does business as a result of the decision, particularly in regard to offering athletic scholarships. And that is obviously the crux of the matter. Canadian educators complain that the brain/brawn drain could be slowed with a change to the existing CIS scholarship rules. Currently, a student-athlete is eligible for a scholarship that pays his or her tuition and nothing more. In the NCAA, student-athletes on a full ride have their room and board, books and tuition covered by the school.

The financial difference is massive and attractive to many high level athletes. Philip could not be reached for comment Monday, but has previously said his school's interest in the NCAA stems from a desire to offer more scholarship money as a means of retaining Canadian athletes.

"It's puzzling. UBC is well below the maximum (scholarship) threshold," McGregor said. "Suffice to say there is ample room to give more money and stay within our rules. There is no need for Canada to rush out and change our rules in order for UBC to give more money."

McGregor said the CIS is constantly reviewing its scholarship cap and will continue to do so. But she stressed, again, changes won't be made in response to the NCAA decision.

"Year over year there has been revision to the policy to enable members to give more money. Will we ever get to full room and board, full books and full tuition? I'd be surprised. It's somewhat like a salary cap in the National Hockey League. We are at a volume of (scholarship) money that is sustainable. If you drain program money to provide scholarships, you haven't enhanced the quality of your program."

U of A athletics director Dale Schulha said his school would never rob one facet of its programs to increase scholarship amounts. Rather, it would fund the larger scholarships with money from alumni and private corporations, so McGregor's argument would not apply.

McGregor estimated 1,500 Canadian university students are on athletic scholarships in the U.S. That's damaging to CIS schools and the Canadian sport system in general.

If major CIS schools are now prepared to defect to the U.S., the CIS has to read the warning signals and stop operating in its current vacuum. The NCAA has presented an alternative and Schulha said it's time the CIS

addressed competitive concerns, even beyond scholarships, that will prompt Canadian schools to look south with longing.

"I think the CIS has to look seriously at divisions and tiering and should do that in conjunction with Canadian colleges in order to bring colleges and universities together. That would make our situation more competitive," said Schulha.

That's not a terrible idea, given that more competitive games attract fans and fans beget sponsors and all schools are forever searching for financial backing. I'm sure there are other alternatives that would pacify school officials, attract athletes and enable the CIS to ward off the NCAA. Somebody has to be looking for them.

"I think other universities will be interested to see how successful this will be," said McGregor. "At the end of the day, I'm certain the vast majority of CIS schools are very proud to be competing in a Canadian league and they do not want to move to an American league."

But if some do?

"There are new institutions looking to join CIS."

One, anyway. The deadline passed Dec. 31 and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology was the only applicant for CIS membership. My math isn't great, but defectors might outnumber recruits two to one. That ratio could change, of course. For better or worse.

CIS responds to NCAA decision on international membership

OTTAWA (CIS) - Canadian Interuniversity Sport officially responded on Tuesday to the NCAA's decision to allow universities from outside the United States to seek active Division II membership.

The 10-year pilot program was approved Monday at the 2008 NCAA Convention.

Canadian Interuniversity Sport Chief Executive Officer, Marg McGregor, offered the following perspective.

What was the NCAA decision?

NCAA Division II paved the way for Canadian institutions to seek active Division II membership when they approved a 10-year pilot program at the 2008 NCAA Convention in Nashville, on January 14.

The Canadian measure was hailed as an antidote of sorts for Division II members in the West and Northwest regions (there are currently 83 western members compared with 193 in the east).

The program takes effect immediately and Canadian schools may apply for membership as soon as June 1, 2008. Schools that meet the June 1 application deadline could start the process of joining Division II as soon as the 2008-2009 academic year.

How will this decision impact Canadian Interuniversity Sport? Is this a threat to the ongoing health of CIS, if a university elects to leave CIS and join the NCAA?

The vast and overwhelming majority of Canadian universities are very proud of their membership in CIS and their involvement in a Canadian league that celebrates academics and athletics.

The feedback from Canadian universities suggests that a very small number of universities might pursue the NCAA option. While CIS values all our members and does not want to lose any, the CIS membership has grown in recent years and indications are it will continue to do so. So from a simple number of members perspective, the potential loss of one or two members is offset by the recent expansion.

At the same time, the NCAA membership decision has changed the landscape and given CIS cause to reflect. CIS will be conducting a membership satisfaction survey to identify issues that require attention. We plan to confront the difficult issues and align ourselves for the future. We plan to build on our strengths of being a Canadian league that celebrates and supports academics and athletics, and is proud of its Canadian roots.

Some media reports have suggested that UBC wants to join the NCAA in order to provide greater financial support to student-athletes. What is the CIS reaction to this?

A common and outdated misconception is that athletic awards and scholarships are only available south of the border. In fact about one in two CIS student-athletes receive financial support to pursue their athletics and academics in Canada. Athletic Financial Awards are a vital component in providing an outstanding educational and athletic experience for our student-athletes and are critical in the decision for our students to pursue their dreams in Canada.

Student-athletes who achieve an academic average are eligible to receive athletic scholarships in an amount equal to the cost of tuition.

There is great diversity in the 51 universities who are members of CIS. There are some universities who would prefer to be able to offer athletic scholarships in amounts greater than the costs of tuition, and others who would prefer to have the maximum set at a lower cap. This is similar to the NHL which recently established a salary cap. Some teams would prefer a higher cap, others lobby for a lower cap. Part of being a member of any large organization, be it CIS or NCAA, involves compromise.

So what is Next?

CIS will have discussions with Canadian universities considering joining the NCAA to express that CIS values all its members and would prefer that none migrate south of the border.

If a Canadian university chooses to apply and is accepted as a NCAA member there will be a lot of issues to resolve as this rolls out, and we go our separate ways.

CIS will conduct a CIS membership satisfaction survey. We will continue to evolve and change as an organization that is committed to celebrating academic and athletic excellence in Canada. We will be open to embracing new ideas, philosophies and change, and we will demonstrate confidence to move in new directions.

Could a university compete in the NCAA and still maintain their membership in the CIS?

This will be decided by the CIS membership in June 2008. The philosophical position taken by the CIS Board of Directors that will be advanced to the CIS membership for their discussion and decision recommends against a joint CIS-NCAA membership scenario.

This can be considered a defining moment for CIS. At the end of the day the CIS membership is an expression of who we are and what we value. As CIS goes forward, the CIS Board of Directors wants the CIS membership to be composed of universities who are fully committed to a Canadian league and proud of the Canadian roots and "keeping it in Canada". The Canadian identity and the Canadian model are important and integral values of who we are.

Our niche is a Canadian organization with a Canadian identity and a commitment to quality education and athletics. We are proud of our Canadian identity, and our Canadian commitment to quality education and athletics.