It took three attempts, but the University of Northern British Columbia has succeeded in becoming the newest member of the Canada West Universities Athletic Association.
The UNBC Timberwolves were granted probationary membership at a special meeting of the Canada West membership held last week to discuss the university’s application. In an electronic vote, UNBC received more than the required 75 percent support from existing members, making it the conference’s 16th member institution. Pending approval by Canadian Interuniversity Sport, the national governing body for varsity sports in Canada, the university will begin Canada West competition in men’s and women’s basketball and soccer during the 2012-13 season.
“I am very excited for our region, our amazing fans, and our student-athletes and coaches as we take this large step forward to bringing the best and brightest to UNBC and our community,” said UNBC President George Iwama following the vote.
UNBC had twice been rejected for membership – in May 2010 and again this past June.
The University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus was granted probationary membership status in September 2010 and will begin competing in Canada West basketball and volleyball this fall. Mount Royal University, which won probationary status in May, will start competing in Canada West in September 2012, the same time as UNBC.