Study Confirms Over 4,1 Million Dollars in Athletic Awards Distributed Across Canada to Canadian Interuniversity Sport Student-Athletes in 2002-2003

Ottawa (CIS) - Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS), announced today the findings of its data collection on athletic awards provided by Canadian universities. The results come three years after Canadian Interuniversity Sport implemented new athletic awards rules. At its June 2000 Annual Meeting, CIS members agreed to report all athletic awards provided to student-athletes, in a commitment to being open and transparent.

The data collected reveals that in 2002-2003 Canadian universities together provided $4,146,980 in athletic award money to CIS student-athletes. Additionally, student-athletes received in excess of $4,091,250 in other award categories (for academic excellence and sport governing bodies and/or federal and provincial governments).

A November 2002 survey of CIS members showed that universities provide athletic awards to student-athletes for a variety of reasons including:

a) To reward and recognize athletic excellence of students who are demonstrating progress towards furthering their education;
b) To provide financial support to student-athletes who may be unable to hold part-time jobs because of their athletic and academic commitments; and,
c) To recruit athletes, develop and sustain competitive teams, and to create incentives for Canadians with athletic and academic promise to remain in Canada.

"We are proud of the academic and athletic excellence of our student-athletes. It is a trademark of Canadian Interuniversity Sport," says CIS President Drew Love.

This year over 1,800 student-athletes (18%) were named RBC Academic All-Canadians for having achieved an academic average of 80% or higher while competing for their universities.

Approximately one in four CIS student-athletes received an athletic award with the average award amount $1,520. University tuition in Canada is reasonably priced compared to tuition south of the border - the average undergraduate tuition for an arts program in Canada is $3,900.

From the perspective of a gender comparison, in 2002-2003, 65% of athletic award dollars went to male student-athletes who represent 54% of all Canadian Interuniversity Sport student-athletes. CIS is committed to continue progress to meeting its gender equity goals.

Athletic awards represent a small portion of the support Canadian universities contribute to student-athletes.

"Universities in Canada make a staggering contribution to the sport system and to student-athletes through facility development, coach employment, running competitive leagues and programs and hosting high performance events and camps," said Canadian Interuniversity Sport CEO Marg McGregor.

Although athletic awards are provided in every CIS sport, the largest average value of an athletic award to men was provided in hockey, basketball and football. For women, the largest average awards were provided in volleyball, basketball and wrestling.

The data collected enables Canadian Interuniversity Sport to monitor adherence to its athletic awards policy in a transparent way and to confirm that Canadian universities provide athletic awards to student-athletes within the guidelines and policies established by Canadian Interuniversity Sport and the awarding university.

"This was the third year of data collection," added Drew Love. We intend to continue the process of collecting, monitoring, reporting and analyzing the data. As we collect more and more data, we are able to identify trends and provide valuable feedback to our members."

For more information on the awards data please visit:
http://www.universitysport.ca/e/research/awards-stats040209.htm