UBC and SFU seeking NCAA membership.

[FiftyBelow]

For the past year I've been following up on UBC and SFU's attempt to enter the NCAA. Appearantly the U of A has expressed some interest as well. I was pleased to see an article about it on TSN today. http://www.tsn.ca/ncaa/news_story/?ID=224060&hubname=

Personally, I think the developments are encouraging and I am fully in favour of UBC, SFU and hopefully the U of A, gaining entry. For once University sports in Canada will get increased attention and possibly retain some of our talent. TSN and sportsnet already broadcast more NCAA then CIS games. In terms of competitive play, Canadian schools will benefit from playing more varieties of schools. Realistically our hockey and volleyball can compete in Div I. A lot of Canadian schools have already competed with some powerhouse American volleyball teams in the past. Basketball, Football etc. should be able to succeed within time in Div II.

What are everyones thoughts on this?

[STeeLy]

I think its a Great Idea... I don't really know much about the competitiveness of Canadian Universities since I don't follow the CIS much (then again, nor do I follow NCAA) but exposure for some Canadian Universities would be really good.

[604flames]

SFU already competes in the NAIA in a few sports (used to do so in more until 6-7 years ago when football and basketball joined the CIS).. They do fairly well particularly in women's soccer.

Our football team is a shambles. 0 wins in three years now, and really there isn't a huge vibe on campus for the games aside from Shrum Bowl every year (against UBC). It also hurts that they have to play all of their games off-campus (usually at Swangard Stadium but sometimes in Coquitlam or even out in Langley).

Women's basketball is the jewel of the SFU sports scene, 3 nat'l championships in the past six years. In fact, a Canada West school has won the CIS/CIAU women's title every year since 1991 (when Laurentian won). That said, both the women's and men's teams would get clobbered in NCAA play (even though I'm assuming they wouldn't be playing Div. 1A. The Clan (I know, terrible name) have played exhibition games the last few years (UBC has too) against schools like Kansas, Arizona, and a couple others who I don't recall right now, and it wasn't even close, even though the Amerks sent basically their "B" squad.

I can't speak for UBC, but SFU's hockey team doesn't even play in the Canada West league, they play in an independent league against teams like UVic, U of Washington, et al.. Again, they play off-campus. UBC (and other Canadian schools) would have to alter their roster system, since many of their players are ex-CHL, which doesn't fly down south does it?

It would really take a lot of time to make it work properly, but if they could, I'd be all for it (esp. in hockey, from everything I've heard, the Frozen Four is a real treat to watch, especially live).

[Sainters7]

U of A men's hockey would be interesting, I wonder if that would be good enough to play with the big boys in Div. I

[moon]

Originally Posted by Sainters7

U of A men's hockey would be interesting, I wonder if that would be good enough to play with the big boys in Div. I

Problem is that under NCAA rules most of their team would be ineligible for having played in the CHL.

I don't think that the Canadian Universities have near the money to spend on sports that schools in the States do and would have to play at lower levels of competition for most, if not all, sports. I am not sure this would be any better than keeping the system they have now.

It would be interesting to see the effect that this switch would have to hockey though. If guys would now not be eligible to go to CIS after finishing their CHL careers I wonder how many might decide to skip the CHL and go to university instead.

[corporatejay]

Problem is that under NCAA rules most of their team would be ineligible for having played in the CHL.

not just CHL but there is a guy for the bears this year who played in the NHL...that might be a problem.

[Temporary_User]

Canadian Universities getting into the US leagues would be a great thing for the universities and the country as a whole really.

Sports are a big money maker, and that is currently what Canadian universities are missing out on. If the sport program grows and can fill a house consistently, it gives them the option of investing more into research and better profs etc. leading to many more students viewing our universities as a place to go study (even top US students and athletes).

[SeeGeeWhy]

I don't think any of the Canadian Universities out west have profitable enough sports programs to viably be a part of the NCAA.

[Resolute 14]

Hope the NCAA tells all of those elitist schools to go to hell.

Schools that think they are too good to be Canadian should simply be kicked out of the CIS and left with no program at all.

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Hope the NCAA tells all of those elitist schools to go to hell.

Schools that think they are too good to be Canadian should simply be kicked out of the CIS and left with no program at all.

Why? What part of what theyre trying to do makes them elitist?

"Too good to be Canadian".......

[tkflames]

Originally Posted by moon

I don't think that the Canadian Universities have near the money to spend on sports that schools in the States do and would have to play at lower levels of competition for most, if not all, sports. I am not sure this would be any better than keeping the system they have now.

I think this is a chicken before egg type argument, in that especially at UBC (and surrounding area) there is a lot of interest for watching competitive sports at the College level. Unfortunately the problem is that these programs (CIS games) are underfunded and underexposed to the public due to lack of funding. I am wondering if this funding would not be boosted by more competitive players coming to play at UBC and against UBC.

On a side note: How would this affect the CFL, would more competitive university football be a complement or a substitute for current CFL fans?

[moon]

Originally Posted by tkflames

I think this is a chicken before egg type argument, in that especially at UBC (and surrounding area) there is a lot of interest for watching competitive sports at the College level. Unfortunately the problem is that these programs (CIS games) are underfunded and underexposed to the public due to lack of funding. I am wondering if this funding would not be boosted by more competitive players coming to play at UBC and against UBC.

I would say that wondering about the funding with increase in competitive players coming is putting the chicken before the egg.

How is UBC going to attract said players to come there without the money for facilities, coaches, recruiting etc. They would have a hard time on equal footing with mid-big US schools let alone with the added disadvantage of being in Canada.

Coming into the party this late will be very tough for UBC or any other Canadian school for most, if not all, sports. Hockey might be the only one that could eventually compete based on the fact that it is made up of many Canucks, but even still I don't see that as a money maker having to compete against the CHL and NHL in many cities.

[Locke]

Stfu Sfu!!

[ricoFlame]

it would definitely be neat, but the growing pains associated with the substantial gap in money generated by the sports program and related things would be tough i'm sure.