Why doesn't the CIS(U-Sport) just join the NCAA?
Dear iglooz:
It would be very, very, very tough going for the Canadian Schools. The reasons being;
1) Track and field in Canada is only October to March (Indoor only). Dealing with the outdoor season is another animal entirely (6-7 months of snow on the ground).
2) Depth is an issue - there are some truly outstanding athletes and then some just ok athletes.
3) A lot of coaches are volunteers in the Canadian University system. The local college only has 1 paid track and field coach.
4) The best Canadian athletes would leave in droves if they were exposed to the NCAA. Only 1 of the 6 athletes on Canada's relay team (4X100m) goes/went to school in Canada.
5) Canadian schools do not have the budget to compete with NCAA schools. To put in perspective, the U of Texas athletic budget is greater than the ENTIRE Canadian Olympic Team's budget (163 million vs 116 million - although this year this has been increased another 32-35 million).
6) Which division would the Canadian schools compete in - Division 1?!
That would have UBC compete against the Pac-10 schools. The schools in Ontario/Quebec would end up going against the Big 10/Big 12. The schools in the Maritimes would face ACC, Big East, and the Ivys.
UBC would end up running against Oregon, USC, UCLA.
This would mean that the University of Michigan or Ohio State Football would face York University.
St. Xavier be paired against Duke in basketball.
There is too much of a discrepancy in ability, resources, and motivation on the part of the Canadian schools and athletes.
Donovan Bailey on Canadian national TV stated that the best arena globally to test your mettle as a young athlete is the NCAA.