It's been a good few weeks for Prince George - first the province commits to the long-awaited Wood Innovation and Design Centre for downtown, and today, the University of Northern British Columbia finally got the invite they longed for: entry into the Canada West Universities Athletic Association.
Now it's up to Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) to approve Canada West's recommendation, and maybe, just maybe, take UNBC into the national fold.
Although the university's leaders seem confident, there's a tense history between the school and the athletic organization - a tension that ultimately left the Timberwolves out in the cold with nose pressed to the window, despite having a kick ass team, a state of the art facility and a more fervent fan base than most other university teams.
There were valid reasons for denying UNBC entry into CIS back in May 2010, as was pointed to by former UNBC athletic director Len McNamara - whose very firing under controversial circumstances contributed to the rejection.
Last year McNamara warned that the university's new administration would have to shed their lack of enthusiasm for team sports and acknowledge it as an important part of life on the hill if they were to advance into prestigious CIS rankings.
By all accounts, new administrators weren't exactly flipping over the school's strong athletic program - not having an athletic director for nine months will do that to a reputation. The situation didn't escape CIS authorities, who confirmed what McNamara already knew: a problem with leadership was keeping UNBC out.
A bit of academic bravado - some would even call it arrogance - doesn't really help matters. Following yet another rejection in June 2011, UNBC's president only thinly veiled a subtext of disdain by taking the line (to paraphrase) "We did everything they asked for" and "It's their loss."
Not quite the motivating, half time, locker room speech about redoubling efforts that would've seemed appropriate. But a very gracious leadership emerged with this week's Canada West embrace, and this kinder, friendlier relationship may just endear UNBC to the CIS and lead to entry into the prestigious national stage.
Of course the real heroes in this story - the athletes, who never stopped putting everything they had into every game no matter what kind of neglect they may have felt, and the fans, who turn out in the thousands and cheered themselves hoarse.
They may be comforted by the knowledge this painful history is nearly behind them, and the wounds of rejection and neglect will soon be healed - probably on the very second the Timberwolves sink the game-winning basket for the CIS Championship title.
Go Timberwolves.
-- Prince George Citizen
