As you know, UNBC has recently applied to join Canada West in basketball (men & women), starting in 2010. UNBC, spearheaded by Director of Athletics Len McNamara, certainly rolled out the red carpet for the four CIS officials who were in Prince George last week for the much anticipated site visit.

 

Now it's a waiting game!

 

The CIS committee, consisting of Canada West President Clint Hamilton, Dick White, Sandy Slavin and Coleen Dufresne, returned home knowing that Prince George would embrace a move from the BCCAA to the “big leagues”. The guests experienced the state-of-the-art facility, the Northern Sports Centre, saw the large enthusiastic crowd of roughly 1,600 for the Timberwolves home opener and were given assurances that the community strongly supports the bid.

“Yes, I was happy with the site visit and extremely pleased with all the contributions everyone made to make the day and games a success. The committee will now provide us with a report that we can use to prepare for our final 90 minute presentation in February in Calgary - and then Canada West will vote in May”, stated McNamara.

Although Hamilton was very complimentary about the UNBC bid and McNamara's professionalism he certainly wasn't tipping his hand about any of the three applicants including Prince George, Kelowna (UBC-Okanagan) or Nanaimo (Vancouver Island).

“In terms of geography, you look at our Conference. We are a large Conference. Our geography is currently from Winnipeg to Victoria. That's a pretty large geographical region. So our people in our association are accustomed to traveling over a large geographical area to compete” stated Hamilton.

Yes, a very diplomatic political answer. However, it doesn't tell us anything new. If the Timberwolves are accepted, great but if not, I hope the CIS officials give the real reason and not hide behind a political response. For all the time, work and effort by McNamara and his team, an honest answer is the very least they should get in return.

 

As long as the voters can get their head wrapped around the location issue, there is no doubt in my mind; Canada west will accept UNBC.

 

#

 

Picking a winner in Sunday's 96^th Grey Cup game will be strictly a guess. In other words, there isn't a clear cut favorite. There is no question that the Calgary Stampeders and the Montreal Alouettes are the two best CFL teams. Seldom do the regular season division winners meet for the big prize. History indicates that favorites are often upset on the way to the final. However, Montreal and Calgary avoided that fate this year.

The participants are one-two in most seasonal statistical rankings which includes: points scored, points allowed, touchdowns, first downs, and yards per game. In addition, Calgary and Montreal were the CFL's stingiest defenses.

Both clubs have outstanding rookie head coaches: Marc Trestman of Montreal and John Hufnagel of Calgary.

The quarterbacks, Anthony Calvillo of the Alouettes and Henry Burris of the Stampeders, are arguably the best two in the league. The Stamps won both regular season meetings, but the Als have home field advantage with an anticipated crowd of 65,000. (The BC Lions were the last team to win the Grey Cup at home and that was 14 years ago).

Calvillo and his team have more experience in the Grey Cup. This will mark the Alouettes' sixth appearance in the CFL title game since 2000, however, Montreal has just one win (2002 over Edmonton) to show for this. This is the Stampeders first Grey Cup appearance since knocking off Winnipeg in the 2001 final.

So, a solid case can be argued for both sides. Strangely enough, it's the first Montreal-Calgary Grey Cup since 1970.

And the winner is.....I'm picking Calgary by 4 points because they emerged from a stronger division and are 6-0 this year in games against BC and Montreal. In other words, the better the competition, the more at stake, the better the Stampeders play.

 

 

#

Some may consider this next issue a small item but here's another example of how the world revolves around Toronto. The Vancouver Canucks generally have their Saturday home games at 7pm. Last Saturday, the game time was bumped up to 4pm (for the only time this season) which is prime time in the east. Of course, it was the Maple Leafs that provided the opposition. Need I say more?

 

 

“Buffalo has been awarded the 2011 World Jr. Hockey Championships and say they will let Toronto have exhibition and games between Poland and Switzerland.”Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgary (http://smacksport.blogspot.com/)

“ESPN announced that ratings for the finals of the World Series of Poker were up from last year. In a promotion designed to help both sports the NHL is considering showing early rounds during their intermissions.”Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California (www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com)

“The Philadelphia Phillies have announced after their first World Series win since 1980 that they will be raising ticket prices. Guess after a championship this is the only way to be sure in 2009 that they give their fans something to boo about.”Janice Hough

And in case you missed it: 

The eighth annual World Toilet Summit and Expo has crapped up (excuse me), wrapped up in Macau. The organization has agreed to sponsor the Nov 30th game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the hometown Oakland Raiders. The winner will receive the first annual “Air Freshener” Trophy while the loser must settle for a “silver” colored plunger.

 Hartley Miller is the sports director for radio stations 94X and the Wolf@97fm. He also writes for the PG Free Press. Send along a quote, note or anecdote to hmiller@94xfm.com

Previous Story - Next Story



Return to Home