UNBC Hopes to Be Part of Interuniversity Sport

By 250 Sports

Prince George, B.C. - The University of Northern B.C. is applying to be part of the Canada West Conference of Canadian Interuniversity Sport.

A proposal is being developed to  request inclusion so UNBC will be able to compete against other universities by 2010.  If  the application is approved,  there would be enough time for UNBC and other uiversities to  find funding for the necessary travel costs.

The application is for men's and women's basketball.  The UNBC soccer teams will continue to play in the BC Colleges Athletic Association.

It is estimated the budget to  have  UNBC teams compete and travel  to other Universities would have to increase by $135 thousand dollars, bringing the budget to  $170 thousand a year.

The application has to be submitted by the end of July.

Acting President  Jim Randall says the application isn't just about athletics"We're looking at this not just in terms of he costs of basketball membership, but we're looking at the impact its going to have on recruitment and the  building of community spirit and the retention of students.  The impact it has in the region, especially as the  basketball team gets known.  When we have  teams coming from the largest Universities all over Canada West, it creates a much greater profile.  I think it  will have a lot of indirect benefits."

One of those benefits may well be the  marketing of the Northern Sport Centre " I think, clearly  the Sport Centre was created with the intent that it be used as intensely as possible." says Randall "I think  those of  you who may have been at the  championships of the womens' basketball there,  the screaming of 2,000 fans  helps create a community spirit."

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