Webster’s Online Dictionary defines evasive as “deliberately vague or ambiguous”. Canada West University Athletic Association’s decision to delay its verdict on UNBC’s (and four other institutions) membership application is nothing more than evasive and smacks of elitism. 

 

The Timberwolves submitted an application to Canada West for men's and women's basketball in July of 2008. Nearly a year later, UNBC is no further ahead in its attempt to join the CWUAA which is part of CIS, the so-called big leagues of Canadian College Sports.

 

This application bid was a painstaking and lengthy process. Local residents devoted many hours,
weeks and months to the bid. Athletic Director Len McNamara and his entire bid committee team should be commended on its first class proposal. In addition, the entire Prince George Community should feel proud for its support of this initiative.

 

UNBC certainly met the criteria as stated by CIS. In fact, their bid was probably as good, or better than any other applications. In a news release Canada West President Clint Hamilton rationalized the decision by stating that, "Our Membership believes that it is in the best interest of both the association and the individual institutions that we further investigate what are challenging issues surrounding the management and potential future growth of Canada West". Huh? This is such a ridiculous response.
At the very least, McNamara and his bid committee deserved to be given an answer; either a yes or a no. Who at Canada West comes up with such a convoluted propaganda statement, Brett Favre?

 

This toothless response was evading the real issue; an honest decision. Canada West’s reaction offers many real life analogies. Here's an example. Imagine you work for a big organization and you are seeking a promotion. Say you apply for that dream job, and you go through an interview process, only to be denied the position. Let’s say you request feedback (from those in the ivory tower) as to why you are not getting this promotion, and your response is something like “hang in there; you are doing a great job”. You never really get an answer, just evasive rhetoric. This example may seem like a stretch but this is how Canada West has treated the basketball Timberwolves by avoiding a decision. 

 

Some teams in the CIS obviously don’t want UNBC to enter this league. In the past they have cited geographic reasons. However, I am not buying this argument. Let’s be real, one trip every second year to PG is not going to break anyone’s travel budget.

 

On the other hand, I can understand if the concern is competitiveness, but even that may be a stretch. Just because TRU in Kamloops has been clobbered since moving up doesn’t mean that everyone else will follow suit.

 

Perhaps, some of the bigger Universities don’t want to play a much smaller institution, fearing there isn’t a lot to gain and their home crowds may be smaller.

 

Sometimes difficult decisions need to be reached sooner rather than later. (In other words fish or cut bait). Surely, in 2010, if Canada West’s decision is no, it won’t make it any easier.

 

As well, Canada West Reps please don't try to be condescending by suggesting UNBC and others (Vancouver Island, UBC-Okanagan, etc.) form a Tier "2" set-up where basically this division is nothing more than a farm league. UNBC and the PG Community don’t deserve this. 

 

 

Either way, when a final verdict is reached, not everyone is going to be happy. As difficult as it may be, perhaps UNBC should tell Canada West to take a hike and stay in the BCCAA. I mean, who wants to be part of an association, even if the caliber of play is higher, if there are indecisive and evasive people in charge?

 

The grass is not always greener on the other side.

 

 

 

In an earlier column I stated that if the Vancouver Canucks season is to be considered a success they would have to win two rounds in the playoffs. Thanks to the Chicago Blackhawks that is not the case.
We saw a side of the Canucks in the Western Conference semis that seldom happened earlier including: constant blowing of leads; lack of discipline; the Roberto Luongo meltdown; and inconsistency of top players like the Sedins, Alex Burrows and Willie Mitchell to name a few.

Vancouver fans were teased. A 2-1 series lead, followed by a 1-0 lead in the last three minutes of game four and then all of sudden a 3 game losing streak and “bingo bango” that’s all folks.

The Hawks were younger, faster, hungrier and more importantly better. Canuck fans must come to grips with another season of mediocrity.

In other words, same ole, same ole. And that is what stings the most.

 

  

 

Brett Favre sent an X-ray of his shoulder to the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings will decide whether or not to make Favre an offer based on the report from the paleontologist.
Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California (www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com)

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says he is open to a debate about legalizing marijuana for recreational use. It looks like Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps may pick up another endorsement deal, after all.Comedy writer Jerry Perisho http://monologuewriter.blogspot.com/

 

The NBA has acknowledged that the referee made a mistake that cost the Mavericks the game against Denver on Saturday. They then faxed an official reprimand to Ed Hochuli.

Manny Ramirez has been suspended for 50 games for using a female fertility drug. An investigator who had talked to the star earlier and heard his voice said it was a case of 'Manny being Minnie'.

The price of the (U.S.) 'Forever Stamp' went up on Monday. It featured Manny Ramirez--who has just been stamped forever.Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

Manny Ramirez of the L. A. Dodgers tested positive for a steroid that's sometimes used as a sexual enhancer. Apparently Manny couldn't get to third base on his own.Craig Ferguson of CBS

I'm no chemist so I don't know exactly how HCG works, but I think it's important that we keep Manny Ramirez away from Octo-Mom. Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle.

 

Former NBA star Dave Bing has been elected Mayor of Detroit. He says he wants to address the issues of drugs, violence and children born out of wedlock. After he fixes the NBA he will work on Detroit.
Comedy writer Jim Barach of WCHS-TV in Charleston, W.Va (http://jokesbyjim.blogspot.com/)