Following a public consultation process, the University is continuing to consider its future participation in national inter-university athletic competition and the sports with which it would seek admission.

Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) represents the highest level of amateur sport competition in the country. No other sport organization can match its breadth and scope: it annually involves more than 11,000 student-athletes competing in 11 sports. Membership in CIS requires a minimum commitment of four teams: two male and two female. UNBC already has an established men’s and women’s basketball program and a strong Nordic ski team, but cross-country skiing is not recognized as a CIS-sport. That leaves the University with the challenge of identifying two other teams if it is to continue pursuing participation in CIS.

“We’ve contacted sport organizations in the city, focusing on those sports that are core sports of the CIS,” says UNBC President Charles Jago. “We’ve been interested in determining if any community sport groups have the capacity to partner with us in operating CIS teams. Soccer and hockey have emerged as possible alternatives, though the door is still open to other sports.”

The University will be continuing discussions with local sport organizations with the intent of building two additional teams that would complement the basketball program.

“With the development of the Northern Sport Centre, our participation in CIS would highlight the city’s opportunity to be a major centre for high-performance sport,” says Dr. Jago. “At the same time, it would greatly improve our profile in the region and across the country and connect local youth with additional role models who are committed to sport and education. Nevertheless, the investment in CIS – especially with the two additional teams – is significant. It’s essential that we find community partners who can work with us.”