UNBC Northern Timberwolves soccer goalie Jordan Hall can't wait for what's coming to her school next year.
Assuming she makes the team in 2012, she'll be playing in the big leagues of Canadian university athletics when UNBC officially becomes a member of the Canada West Universities Athletic Association.
"It's kind of scary but it's pretty neat to see our school get that far and that they appreciate the UNBC athletics program," said Hall.
"Next year we'll be in the top league and a lot of girls around the country will want to play for those 16 teams in the league, so it will definitely change the whole program next year."
On Tuesday, UNBC announced its bid to join Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) as part of Canada West was accepted, nearly three years after UNBC submitted its initial application. The positive vote came three months after UNBC's bid was rejected over concerns about funding for its soccer programs.
UNBC reapplied and a vote to accept the Prince George school passed by an 84 per cent majority at a special meeting of the Canada West governors. The Northern Timberwolves basketball and soccer teams will begin play in Canada West in 2012 as probationary members, becoming the 16th member of Canada West.
Loralyn Murdoch has been waiting for that announcement ever since the idea to join the CIS was first floated in 2002.
"It would have been nice to have that status six months ago when we were recruiting, so we're behind the eight-ball a bit, but it's a very exciting time for the institution and we just have to get out there and recruit," said Murdoch, head coach of the women's basketball team.
"We'll be playing the best of the best in the premier league in Canada and we will see some very high-level basketball next year. We'll have to expand our territories a little bit and go after the marquee players."
It will be up to the individual coaches at UNBC to recruit, just as they have done since the UNBC began its varsity basketball programs in 1997.
UNBC athletics and recreation director Jason Kerswill said the CWUAA wants UNBC to hire full-time men's and women's soccer coaches. The current coaches, Mato Mikic (women) and Sonny Pawar (men) are part-time employees. Murdoch and men's basketball coach Todd Jordan work full-time at UNBC.
The structure of Canada West will likely change for next season if plans to adopt a two-tiered system are approved. As part of that second tier, UNBC would compete against smaller schools like Mount Royal College, Thompson River University, UBC-Okanagan and the University of the Fraser Valley, while the bigger universities, like UBC, Calgary, Edmonton, Manitoba and Saskatchewan would form a separate conference.
"I'm guessing it will be a tiered league," said Murdoch. "The more teams they allow in the more likely that will be.
"Just like when we started here, we have to go out and get some players and get them working hard and buy into the program and the success will follow. It's going to take time."
CIS approval will still require a full application, which UNBC will submit in December. CIS officials will also visit UNBC next year before holding a final vote of approval in June 2012.
