1s sports _-PUNEETHAYER SPORTS EDITOR 2007 — Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre Opens Analysis: This is very self-explanatory, because all universities strive for a facility that caters to their athletic needs. This is a state of the art facility that has been the home of both men’s and women’s basketball teams since the facilities inception and was the home the CCAA National Basketball Championships in 2009. Plus, the NSC has encouraged a healthy life style to students, faculty and the community. Additionally, the NSC has gener- ated employment opportunities to students and has broadened the operations for the athletics department. So, obviously this facility was a key piece in gaining CIS admission. Question: Will UNBC athletics explore getting outdoor facilities in the future on campus or continue to rely on the rotary fields for Soccer games? 2008 — UNBC Athletics submits first application for CIS admission Analysis: At this point, there was no men’s CCAA national basketball championship (2009-2010) and the soccer program was just getting started. No surprise, this got rejected as Athletics was still building their portfolio. Question: You have to think, has CIS considered the geographic constraints of UNBC here? March — 2010 UNBC Men’s Basketball wins CCAA Na- tional Basketball Championship Analysis: A major accomplishment and stepping-stone for UNBC athletics. This was the Ist Prince George based team in 35 years to win a national title. Question: Does the success of one program compensate for others? One program does not supersede the others. Nonetheless this was a major accomplishment and rallying point for UNBC to join the CIS. Men’s basketball star Inderbir Gill earned ‘National Player of the Year’ honours and Rookie Center Kevan Madsen earned ‘Rookie of the Year” honours. Plus, guards Francis Rowe and Jose Araujo were ‘first team all-stars’ in the national tourna- ment, exemplifying UNBC’s ability to recruit an array of talent. Late Summer and Fall 2010 - UNBC Athletics hire Jason Kerswill as Athletic Director and Todd Jordan as Head Coach of Men’s basketball. Analysis: Jason Kerswill brings championship pedigree from St.Francis Xavier to lead the athletics program. Former Quest University Coach and local school teacher Todd Jordan replaces coach Mike Raimbault as men’s coach. Question: You would think, has Zane Robison and Women’s head coach Loralyn Murdoch played a key role of stability here? Many locals wanted Prince George native and current Capilano men’s basketball coach Jordan Yu to lead UNBC athletics in some capacity, but thus far UNBC athletics has been in good hands. October 2010 — UNBC men’s soccer earns national no- toriety as they defeat highly favoured Douglas College 2-0. Analysis: This was considered to be one of the biggest upsets in Canadian collegiate history and was even more impressive con- sidering the modest resources the soccer program had access to at that point — volunteer coaches, limited funds etc. Question: How do you quantify what this meant to UNBC athlet- ics and their application to the CIS? Prior to this, only men’s and women’s basketball was making headlines. April 2011 — Men’s basketball star Inderbir Gill’ s storied career comes to an end with a consecutive ‘Na- tional Player of the Year’ award. October, 4 2011- Over the Edge UNBC MEDIA Question: Inderbir would be the first to tell you that he would trade all his impressive accolades for another shot at a national title. Both men’s teams in basketball and soccer earned Provincial Silver medals and national births. While the women’s basketball team earned a Provincial Bronze medal and national birth. Was this the best year history of UNBC athletics, or was it last year, when men’s basketball won a national championship? June 2011 — UNBC athletics submit application to Can- adian Inter-University Sport for CIS admission Analysis: This was Jason Kerswill’s first attempt as athletics dir- ector to apply for CIS admission. Question: Was the progress of the men’s soccer team a real rally- ing point in this application? July 2011 — UNBC athletics were asked to re-submit an application to the CIS? : Question: Must be getting close, yes? September 2011 — UNBC men’s soccer gains a top 10 ranking in the CCAA Question: That is a significant milestone. But, this distinction oc- curred after the application process. Does it still make a differ- ence? September 2011 — UNBC earns temporary CIS admis- sion in the Canada West division commencing in 2012 Analysis: A lot of credit goes to the UNBC athletics here, es- pecially women’s coach Loralyn Murdoch who has been with UNBC since 1997.