UBC Thunderbirds

The UBC Thunderbirds are the athletic teams that represent the University of British Columbia in the University Endowment Lands just outside the city limits of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. They are one of the most successful teams in the CIS, though a few of their teams are members of the U.S. NAIA.

NCAA membership bid

Recently, they have applied to become members of the principal U.S. college sports governing body, the NCAA. They are not the first Canadian school to try to join the NCAA; in 2000, local rival Simon Fraser, then exclusively an NAIA member, sought to join the NCAA but was turned down. The NCAA has language in its constitution prohibiting non-U.S. schools from joining; however, some observers believe the real reason Simon Fraser was turned down was that the school sought to join as a Division II school, and the NCAA did not want to set a precedent with a lower-level school. UBC, on the other hand, is reportedly interested in joining Division I. UBC's current athletic budget of approximately $4 million Canadian is dwarfed by those of schools in the Pacific Ten Conference, the only BCS conference on the U.S. West Coast. However, at least two mid-major conferences with a West Coast presence, the West Coast Conference and Western Athletic Conference, have been suggested as possible future homes for the Thunderbirds. ^*

Teams

In the school year of 2005-2006, there are officially 20 teams:

Alpine Skiing (m/w)
Baseball
Basketball (m)
Basketball (w)
Cross Country (m/w)
Cheerleading
Debating (m/w)
Field Hockey (w)
Football
Golf (m)
Golf (w)
Ice Hockey (m)
Ice Hockey (w)
Nordic Skiing (m/w)
Rowing (m/w)
Rugby (m)
Rugby (w)
Soccer (m)
Soccer (w)
Swimming (m/w)
Track (m/w)
Ultimate (m/w)
Volleyball (m)
Volleyball (w)

CIS and NAIA National Championships

Canadian Interuniversity Sport Championships (66)

Women’s Swimming (14)

2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1986, 1985

Women’s Field Hockey (10)

2004, 2003, 2001, 1999, 1998, 1990, 1983, 1982, 1980, 1978

Men’s Swimming (10)

2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1965

Men’s Soccer (10)

2005, 1994, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1974

Women’s Basketball (4)

2006, 2004, 1974, 1973, 1972

Women’s Soccer (4)

2003, 2002, 1993, 1987

Women’s Volleyball (4)

1978, 1977, 1974, 1973

Football (3)

1997, 1986, 1982

Men’s Volleyball (3)

1983, 1976, 1967

Men's Basketball (2)

1972, 1970

Men’s Cross Country (1)

1993

National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Championships (2)

Women’s Golf

2004, 2000

External links