VIU athletics program committed to excellence
Vancouver Island University’s excellent athletics program may be taking a big step in 2009.
Representatives from Canadian University Sport visited VIU in early November to consider VIU for entry into a conference within the CIS body. That move would have the men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball teams competing within the Western Canada conference of the CIS, while other Mariner teams would remain a part of the B.C. Colleges Athletic Association.
If VIU’s bid is accepted, the teams will be playing against teams like UBC, the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary. It will be several months until VIU finds out if the bid has been accepted, but everyone involved is very excited and proud to see such a great program finally receiving the respect it deserves.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008 |
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Vancouver Island University’s excellent athletics program may be taking a big step in 2009.
Representatives from Canadian Interuniversity Sport visited VIU in early November to consider VIU for entry into a conference within the CIS body. That move would have the men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball teams competing within the Western Canada conference of the CIS, while other Mariner teams would remain a part of the B.C. Colleges Athletic Association.
If VIU’s bid is accepted, the teams will be playing against teams like UBC, the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary. It will be several months until VIU finds out if the bid has been accepted, but everyone involved is very excited and proud to see such a great program finally receiving the respect it deserves.
“We have an excellent athletic program at VIU,” said VIU President, Dr. Ralph Nilson. “We have many talented student athletes who excel in their chosen sport as well as in the classroom. Our coaches, players and fan support are outstanding.”
“Moving to a CIS conference will be a big step, but everyone is really excited,” said Carson Williams, a fifth year bachelor of arts student who plays point guard for the men’s basketball team. “We have a great program here that deserves the opportunity to play against the big universities.”
Williams, like many of the athletes who compete at VIU, has a lot of positive things to say about the athletics program.
“I get a lot of support from my teachers,” he said. “Everyone supports our efforts towards our teams and our studies. I really like that. You also get exposed to a real family of athletes at VIU and that’s one of the best parts about the program. I’ve played with athletes from the United States, Europe and other parts of the world. That’s one of our strong points – we touch on more than just a local, provincial or national level – it’s worldwide.”
“We have an exceptional athletics program at VIU,” said Bill McWhinnie, VIU women’s basketball head coach. “A possible move to a conference within the CIS is very exciting and we would be thrilled to have the opportunity to show the rest of Canada what VIU is made of.”
