NCAA approves program to allow CIS schools

[Terry]

TSN.ca Staff

1/14/2008 1:30:19 PM

In a landmark decision the NCAA has voted to allow Canadian universities to apply for membership and the University of British Columbia is set to do so.

The vote was 97% in favour (258 for, 9 against, 2 abstentions).

The move paves the way for Canadian schools like UBC to join the Division 2 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association within the next three years.

Schools must apply for membership by June 1st.

Any school looking to make the move would have to deal with substantial changes in recruiting of athletes. The major difference between membership in the CIS (Canadian Interuniversity Sport) and the NCAA is the way athletic scholarships are awarded. In the NCAA a Canadian university would be able to award a full ride scholarship while in the CIS first year students are able to receive a max of tuition but only if they have a high enough average academically, at least 80%.

There would also be eligibility issues with hockey teams as any player with past major junior experience would be ineligible to play in the NCAA. Many former CHL players now suit up for their Canadian schools.

There is a provision in Div 2 that allows a school to have a maximum of one mens and one womens team participate in Div 1 athletics. That means if UBC is successful, their hockey team could play in Division 1. There is no Division 2 hockey program in the NCAA.

It is a two part process and if a Canadian school is granted status in the NCAA they would still need to be accepted into one of the athletic conferences. Both UBC and Simon Fraser University have already had discussions with NCAA conferences in the western United States and there is interest in both sides of the negotiations. The Great Northwest and Pacific West Conferences have been part of the discussions.

If they do not make it into a conference, the only other option would be to play as an independent.

It is believed the University of Alberta and St Claire's College in Ontario are also interested in membership.

The NCAA is currently holding their annual convention in Nashville, Tennessee.

www.tsn.ca/ncaa/news_story/?ID=227280&hubname=

[Terry]

That would be bad news for all WHLers who get scholarships to university. The stupid rule in the States that all athletes have to be amateur will keep anyone who played at the CHL level ineligible to play. And that the UofA is even considering it is way too stupid. They can't compete in providing scholarships against highly funded U.S. colleges.

But I guess the U wants to compete with the WHL, which I don't think they can win.

[Brae]

terry said:

That would be bad news for all WHLers who get scholarships to university. The stupid rule in the States that all athletes have to be amateur will keep anyone who played at the CHL level ineligible to play. And that the UofA is even considering it is way too stupid. They can't compete in providing scholarships against highly funded U.S. colleges.

But I guess the U wants to compete with the WHL, which I don't think they can win.

Samething is happening here. With the O.

I heard Western is interesting, as is Lauier, Mac ect...

I don't have the numbers in front of me, but a good chunk of CIS hockey players are CHL grads.

[Terry]

The stupid thing about the NCAA rule is that not only can't a player get a stick of gum without being thrown off a team for being "professional", they won't allow players who've gotten a couple of bucks spending money and aren't relying on a school scholarship.

The other stupid thing is that head-to-head, a university game still can't compete with a CHL game, CIS or NCAA. A CHL game will still draw thousands while a university game will still draw hundreds.

[Brae]

terry said:

The stupid thing about the NCAA rule is that not only can't a player get a stick of gum without being thrown off a team for being "professional", they won't allow players who've gotten a couple of bucks spending money and aren't relying on a school scholarship.

The other stupid thing is that head-to-head, a university game still can't compete with a CHL game, CIS or NCAA. A CHL game will still draw thousands while a university game will still draw hundreds.

Dead on!

An NHL draft pick playing in the NCAA isn't even allowed to accept travel from his NHL team to come to camp.

[chaytercon1]

REading the article I thought that this would be awesome but after reading that the NCAA has all of these rules I don't like it. Who cares if a guy gets a free flight, that seems a little stupid to me.

It would be sweet to see a canadian school take the frozen 4 though.

[Brae]

You know if you wanted to get technical on the NCAA. They give their players, with scholarships, in exchange for playing on the team. So isn't that being professional in their eyes?

[Terry]

That's my thought exactly. Trading a paid education for playing hockey and making money for the college.

But I'm not sure what happens if a guy decides he just wants to study than play. More than likely the scholarship goes.