UNBC “Shocked” by Negative Vote from Canada West
Media Release
May 6, 2010
| 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, evidenced 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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Media Contact:
Rob van Adrichem, Vice President, External Relations, UNBC -250.960.5622