The National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) executive committee on August 1 approved Simon Fraser University’s (SFU) application to become the first non-American school in the prestigious sports league.
Approval to play in what is widely considered North America’s top college sports league is expected to help SFU attract high-caliber athletes and attain a higher profile throughout the continent.
“This is a special day for not only our student-athletes and staff but for the entire university,” said SFU’s senior director of athletics and recreation, Milton Richards.
NCAA status means that, starting September 1, SFU varsity teams will be eligible to compete for regional and national championships.
SFU has participated in the NCAA for the past two years as an affiliate member. That meant the university was unable to compete in the post-season because the NCAA requires playoff participants to be accredited through a U.S. accreditation agency.
International membership in the NCAA was made possible when the league’s executive committee adopted a 10-year pilot program in 2008.
