It was supposed to be a slam dunk.
Instead, what looked like a day UNBC would swish its outside shot and become a member of Canadian Interuniversity Sport, ended in disappointment with a last-ditch block from the Canada West University Athletics Association membership committee.
Canada West president Sandy Slavin said although there were no clear-cut reasons given by the membership committee for its decision to turn UNBC down, she said discussions before and after the vote raised concerns over UNBC's failure to fill the position of athletics director, the cost of travel the city for its member teams, and the fact UNBC was applying for limited CIS entry for only one sport (basketball).
"Our members are not required to tell us what the reasons are for their vote," said Slavin.
"Certainly for some people they feel the athletics director is a major administrative position that hasn't been filled since last summer (at UNBC) and as part of the discussion, that was concerning for some people."
UNBC's athletics director position has been vacant since Len McNamara was dismissed last September, but UNBC president George Iwama said that should not have adversely affected the bid. He said the job posting has resulted in more than 45 applicants and expects to have the position filled within the next two months.
"We won the (Canadian Colleges Athletic Association men's basketball) national championship in this transition state we're in," said Iwama. "All I have to do is look at VIU, who are fully-staffed right now, and that doesn't hold water. Filling the position is a top priority and we're taking care of that, but I'm not sure that it was a pivotal factor in our decision today."
For more, see Friday's Citizen.
