Some Canadian schools seeking NCAA membership

The CIS comprises 52 institutions in four leagues that spread from Newfoundland in the east to Vancouver Island in the west and range in size from universities that have 50,000 students to schools with just 2,000.

Just as varying is the importance placed on athletics at the schools, part of the Canadian culture that doesn't hold CIS sports in the highest regard.

Most Canadian athletic departments have budgets of only a few million dollars, comparable with some Division II schools. Revenue streams, though, are flat.

There's also the Olympic factor. Sponsorship dollars that could be going to the CIS or to individual universities, are being funneled to the Vancouver games.

McGregor admits some members have pushed to model the CIS more like the NCAA, with full scholarships available for student athletes. She says the organization's goal is "not to be like the NCAA. That's not every Canadian's dream, to be like the States.

"I think UBC has been very clever how they have used this to draw attention to UBC and differentiate them from other universities in Canada.

"Bottom line is we don't want them to leave and if they do leave, we'll be disappointed, but we'll wish them well and we'll continue offering quality opportunities at an affordable price to run athletic departments."

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For Simon Fraser, the desire to recapture the history that stems from its location in Vancouver just north of the U.S. border is what has the university looking south.

"The history and culture of this place was built around that strategic decision to enter into an American league," said Dr. Michael Stevenson, the school's president.

Simon Fraser was constructed in just 30 months, the so-called "instant university," opening in 1965. Athletically, the university never intended on playing in Canada, joining the NAIA and playing Pacific Northwest counterparts for more than 30 years.

In 1997, many of SFU's competitors left the NAIA for the NCAA's Division II. SFU wanted to follow, but the NCAA wasn't willing to alter its bylaws. After five years of independence, SFU moved its football, men's and women's basketball, and volleyball programs to the CIS. Cross country, track and field, softball, swimming and wrestling still compete in the NAIA.

Simon Fraser, UBC, Alberta, the University of Regina and University of Victoria are the only schools to hold joint membership in the NAIA and the CIS.

SFU wants all of its programs back in the U.S., but doesn't envision ever looking at Division I as UBC might.

"We're a Division II school," men's basketball coach Scott Clark said.

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Gord Grace brings a unique perspective to the entire debate. He's currently athletic director at University of Windsor, but in the 1990s worked in the athletic department at Michigan.

The amount of money spent on NCAA Division I athletics astounds Grace. He recently read an article that noted Ohio State spends $169,000 on cheerleading.

"That's a little bit less than what we spend on football here," he said.

Because of its proximity to the U.S., Grace's school was rumored to be one of the Ontario schools looking at the NCAA, but Grace said he had no knowledge of any discussions.

Still, having worked at an NCAA institution, Grace believes money - not success on the playing field - will ultimately determine whether UBC and Simon Fraser start a Canadian influx to the NCAA.

"To come up with the money needed and to do it well, I just don't see it happening," he said.

Philip agreed with Grace that money is an issue, but wasn't concerned about building the needed budget.

"We're not like USC," Philip said, "but we know we can build it up over time."

He's probably right if Clark, the Simon Fraser basketball coach, is any indication.

"I love the culture of athletics in the United States," said Clark, the Simon Fraser basketball coach. "The culture of athletics in Canada, unless it's hockey, it's not as embraced as much and I think that's what made for the excitement."