NCAA North?

While I attended Simon Fraser University, I always heard rumblings that the athletic department would eventually apply for membership into the United States' National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA)

You know the guys who put on the BCS college football bowl games and college basketball's March Madness tournament?

I was always was curious to see if it happened but in my heart of hearts knew it wouldn't.

Some SFU teams did play in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the school did try applying for NCAA certification but failed.

It was ironic then that cross-town rival UBC's application would essentially open the door for Canadian universities to apply for NCAA Division II status and that's exactly what happened yesterday; talk about adding to the rivalry.

From all reports it's less a case of selling out to the U.S. and more an issue of full ride scholarships for athletes but any school that makes the move is sure to be criticized.

Although UBC applied, the school will do its due diligence and SFU will act similarly, if they do decide to apply again.

Needless to say the Canadian Interuniversity Sport, which governs college athletics in Canada, may be forced rethink its strategy.

June 1, 2008 is the deadline for applying and it will be an interesting six months.