UNBC �Shocked� by Negative Vote from Canada West

Thursday, May 06, 2010 04:00 PM

Prince George, B.C. - Despite being told that the University had a most compelling case, UNBC has been denied membership in the Canada West University Athletics Association. The Canada West members voted today during the Association’s annual meetings in Victoria.

“After meeting with the Canada West members earlier this week, I’m shocked, bewildered, and left grasping for answers,” says UNBC President George Iwama. “I’m very disappointed for our players and our amazing fans but I’m especially sorry for the youth of the region – those up-and-coming athletes – who are being denied the chance to demonstrate their talents in their home region against the best in Canada.”

UNBC applied for membership in 2008 and hosted a Canada West review team that fall. In early 2009, UNBC presented its application to the full Canada West membership in Calgary. That spring, Canada West delayed a decision on new members for one year. Earlier this week, at the request of Canada West, UNBC President George Iwama met again with Canada West members in Victoria.

“I’m sure everyone is curious about ‘what’s next’ and it’s difficult to assess the situation so quickly after hearing the results of the vote. Canada West hasn’t provided any reasons for not accepting UNBC, nor has it suggested any ways that UNBC’s case could have been strengthened. By all accounts, UNBC was very effective in its application and demonstrated an unprecedented level of community and regional support, evidence by Mayor Dan Rogers’ participation during multiple presentations to Canada West,” says Dr. Iwama, who himself was on-hand for the men’s basketball national championship win in Calgary earlier this year. “It’s very disappointing for UNBC, the community, and the northern region. I would very much like to thank the thousands of northerners who sent letters of support, signed the petition in support of our application, attend the games, and support the athletes.”

Going into the meetings this week, Canada West had 11 full members. Today, it has 13 – after promoting Thompson Rivers University and Fraser Valley University to full member status after they completed a 3-year probation. Among the new applicants – Vancouver Island University, UBC Okanagan, and UNBC – only UBC-O was admitted as a probationary member.

UNBC required support from 75% of the Canada West membership. UNBC was applying for membership in men’s and women’s basketball. The University is currently a member of the BC division for the Canadian Colleges’ Athletic Association.

Canada West is one of four conferences in Canadian Interuniversity Sport.

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Posted on Thursday, May 06, 2010 04:00 PM in Sports by 250 Sports

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Comments

Posted by: porter on May 6 2010 4:37 PM

I bet the main reason is geography, long way to go for a basketball game. Too bad, would have been great for the University and Community.

Posted by: comet on May 6 2010 4:59 PM

I am shocked as well and frustrated that we have been defeated by geography yet again! I listened to the interview on CBC as they announced their decisions and when the interviewer asked if geography could have affected the process the CIS rep walked around the issue that yes insitutions could look at cost as an issue. So existng institutions could look at a package that met all the guidlelines but if they don't want to come here - it's a thumbs down!? And how is travelling to UBC-O in Kelowna or TRU in Kamloops by plane from Winnipeg or Saskatoon any different than coming to PG?

Posted by: pgguru on May 6 2010 7:34 PM

im not shocked!

Posted by: pgguru on May 6 2010 7:35 PM

boo hooo! build phase 2 of sports centree and we would have got it!

Posted by: kidar on May 6 2010 7:59 PM

I'm sure Porter is patially right as our young athletes of the North are used to being given the cold shoulder from the major centers of B.C., Alberta and Sask. In all sports the northern B.C. communities have to travel south several times a year for competition and the centers they travel to will only come north if they "have to". "They" (meaning parents, students and executive people take offence when a "northern" team beats a "southern" team. The "southern" teams only come north once a year but the North goes south several times. The northern communities have always taken the "high road" and haved persevered over many decades. With some luck the University may win in the end.

Posted by: supertech on May 6 2010 9:05 PM

Who cares?? Sports are the last thing we need to spend money on. Sports support very few people. We need jobs here; not basketball players.

Posted by: Smooth on May 6 2010 11:08 PM

Who cares???....How about the thousands of fans that attended games. As far as spending money goes this is by far one of the cheapest forms of entertainment PG has to offer. Cheaper than a cougars game or movie thats for sure.

Posted by: verballabel on May 6 2010 11:26 PM

"From far and wide Oh Canada"
The best sports entertainment in PG is watching the UNBC mens and women's basketball teams play!!

Posted by: porter on May 7 2010 2:59 PM

um... supertech... these kids aren't trying to go to the NBA they are trying to pay for their education so they can get a better job. Not sure what you mean by your comment.