<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>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.</div> http://www.tsn.ca/ncaa/news_story/?ID=227280&hubname=
yeah but you only need 65 per cent or better to keep getting athletic funding in Canada. that and you have five years of eligibility in the CIS. i'm against this move but i guess those BC schools have been bending the rules long enough.
