The National Collegiate Athletic Association membership committee gave conditional approval to Simon Fraser University as its first non-American school.
The final step in the process is slated for Aug. 1, when there will be a final vote by the executive council to decide if the university will become a full member, effective Sept. 1.
"Being able to compete for national championships in the NCAA will instill a sense of pride and engagement in the entire SFU community," said SFU president Andrew Petter in a press release.
"SFU's ability to participate in the NCAA as a full member provides numerous opportunities to the university, not only in avenues it gives athletes to compete, but it will also build the profile of SFU throughout North America."
Now entering its third year in the NCAA, SFU was previously unable to compete in the post-season because the organization requires its members to be accredited through a U.S. accreditation agency.
However, the NCAA approved an exception last week at its annual conference allowing the SFU Clan to compete for championships starting this fall as part of a pilot program. In the meantime, the university is pursuing accreditation with the Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities.
"In talking with our student-athletes, it's very apparent that being the only non-American school in the NCAA is a huge motivator," said senior director of athletics and recreation Milton Richards in the release. "All of our athletes have a tremendous amount of pride being the first to compete for a Canadian school in the NCAA. This brings them all closer to their ultimate goal of winning an NCAA national championship."
The announcement completes SFU's transition back to its roots of competing against schools south of the border.
SFU Athletics was approved as the first non-American school in the NCAA on July 10, 2009. After a final season in Canadian Interuniversity Sport, the Clan competed in 2010-11 as a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.
For more on SFU's journey into the NCAA, and updates on all teams, visit athletics.sfu.ca.
