Acknowledging the strength of the Canadian University System there is no need to overhaul what is currently in place. What needs to be done is to strengthen the system so that it isn't perceived as the lowly alternative to an American juggernaut. Some minor changes will ensure that this is done.
The first of which is the age. With the exception of football - there isn't an age limit in CIS Sport. Comparatively NCAA Division I sport has an age limit of what is essentially 25 (there are some exceptions). An upper age limit ensures that the CIS system is focused on athlete development as opposed to a sporting alternative for athletes long past their expiry date. Too often in CIS Sport we find athletes who are past their prime but use CIS Sport to live out their playing days. An age restriction of 25 would help create a system that is focused on developing athletes.
Prohibit professional athletes from playing Collegiate Sport. NCAA is often mocked for the restrictions it places on its athletes but there is little argument that it is effective. NCAA Division I sport is seen as a stepping stone into professional sport leagues and Olympic teams. Comparatively, the Canadian system allows professionals and carded amateur athletes to compete in CIS sport. The result is that the focus on athlete development is blurred. Allowing 30 something carded amateur athletes to compete in CIS Sport does nothing to develop 18-22 year athletes in the training to compete stage of the long term athlete development model.
Compete - too often athletes are lured south by a big American media glamorizing U.S collegiate athletics as being a far superior product. The facts are that aside from Basketball and Football - Canadian universities have shown themselves capable of competing against their American counterpart time and time again. Increased cross border competition would emphasize to our athletes that you don't necessarily have to go south to find strong competition.
Scholarships - Another reason athletes go south is the glamour of a big U.S Scholarship. Athletes, however may be surprised to hear that Canadian Universities offer scholarships that cover the cost of tuition and books. There is no doubt that Canadian universities must offer more in terms of scholarship opportunities but educating athletes of the scholarship incentives offered here Canadian may reduce the exodus south.
Market - Market - Market. As opposed to staging the CIS Basketball championship on the same weekend as the NCAA Tournament why not have a CIS Championship weekend in one locale in early March. Having a CIS Championship weekend where the national championships for Basketball, Volleyball, Track & Field, Wrestling, Hockey, Swimming and Gymnastics are all contested in the same weekend in the same city would create a buzz that is seriously lacking in CIS sport today.
There are of course other changes that could be implemented but these small changes would go along way to restoring the CIS Sporting System.......
No comments:
Post a Comment