Cascade Collegiate Conference Approves University of British Columbia for Associate Membership in Baseball
LA GRANDE, Ore. – The Cascade Collegiate Conference Council of President’s Executive Committee approved the associate membership application for the University of British Columbia in the sport of baseball Conference Commissioner Robert Cashell announced.
"It is wonderful for such a strong university and athletic program as the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds to join the Cascade Collegiate Conference in baseball, stated Council of President’s Chair Dr. Chris Maples. “With their membership in softball already in place, the CCC is truly an international conference - the only one in the NAIA. We welcome their membership and look forward to many years of the highest caliber competition."
The Thunderbird baseball program will join their softball team as the newest additions to the CCC. The softball program was approved for associate membership last summer. “We are very excited to hear that UBC Baseball has been added as an Associate Member to the Cascade Collegiate Conference,” stated Gord Hopper, UBC Director of Athletics. “We’ve enjoyed a very productive relationship with the Conference for almost a decade now and look forward to building on that strong foundation in years to come.”
UBC has been competing with the current CCC baseball playing schools (Oregon Tech, College of Idaho and Corban) since 2008 in what is known as the NAIA West Baseball Grouping. The grouping also includes defending national champions Lewis-Clark State College. “The change to CCC membership will allow for the UBC student-athletes to be eligible for conference academic recognition along with providing a true conference home,” stated Commissioner Cashell. “Additionally, it continues our efforts to keep baseball a viable sport in the region and other schools may see the stability and consider offering the activity.”
The Thunderbirds, located in Vancouver, BC, are members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) for the sports of m/w cross country, m/w golf, baseball, softball and m/w track and field. UBC previously competed as a member of the Association of Independent Institutions in those sports and will continue to do so with the exception of softball and baseball.