Post by Hendershot on Sept 3, 2004 20:54:08 GMT -5
Coming on the heels of the recent revelation that Adam van Koeverden's stint on the McMaster University Cross-Country team did not hamper his performance at the recent Olympic Games, the COC has put pressure on the CIS to ensure that Men’s Cross-Country will become an important place for the development of Canada's future Olympic paddlers.
In response the CIS has undertaken a comprehensive review of the Cross-Country program at McMaster and has come up with some interesting findings and suggestions. The most pertinent perhaps is the new rankings (point scoring) system that will be implemented at this years (2004) CIS Championships. In order to accommodate the obvious developmental successes of McMaster, Championship scoring will consist of 4 areas.
The first area and most traditional area is athletic performance. Indeed not much has changed from the previous scoring system with placings at the Championships determining the allocation of points.
The second area is academic prowess. The influence here comes from such greats as Phillip Boley, Nick Yardley, Jon Little and Brain Stewart whose average GPAs range from 11 to 12 (A to A+). As such points will be allotted based on a teams average GPA.
Although the first two areas are perhaps tradition and universally applicable areas of allocation, the third and fourth areas draw distinctly upon McMasters developmental legacy.
The Third area is Social Status. Influence here is derived from two particular individuals: Neil Scott and Robert W. Switzer II. One only needs to recall the performance of these two individuals at the 2004 CIS Indoor Championships to realize the importance of this area. Employing boyishly good-looks both Neil and Robert respectively captivated the hearts (if not the wallets) of the Lakehead and U of T contingents. Allocation is based on number of drinks consumed with someone else’s money.
The fourth and final area is Dynastic Slip-Ups. As with the third area, this area is specifically taken from the McMaster program. Case in point Tyler Murphy and Chris Hendershot. Both of these athletes entered the CIS system with impressive credentials, Murphy a consistent Top 5 finisher at OFSAA and Hendershot who is the offspring of a former CIS Cross- Country Champion and a member of Canada's Women’s 4x400m relay team at the 1976 Olympics. However, as their University careers progressed both athletes consistently underachieved. Allocation will be based on the number of expectations not achieved by any particular participant.
Although this new scoring system may leave traditionalists scratching their heads, the CIS believes that this system ensures a relevant role for intercollegiate sports in Canada – especially Cross-Country. Moreover, if Canada continues underachieve at future Olympics the COC will be able to scapegoat the CIS and its athletes who “where to slow” to garner scholarships South of the border and thus, did not provide the proper developmental atmosphere for Canadian paddlers.
In response the CIS has undertaken a comprehensive review of the Cross-Country program at McMaster and has come up with some interesting findings and suggestions. The most pertinent perhaps is the new rankings (point scoring) system that will be implemented at this years (2004) CIS Championships. In order to accommodate the obvious developmental successes of McMaster, Championship scoring will consist of 4 areas.
The first area and most traditional area is athletic performance. Indeed not much has changed from the previous scoring system with placings at the Championships determining the allocation of points.
The second area is academic prowess. The influence here comes from such greats as Phillip Boley, Nick Yardley, Jon Little and Brain Stewart whose average GPAs range from 11 to 12 (A to A+). As such points will be allotted based on a teams average GPA.
Although the first two areas are perhaps tradition and universally applicable areas of allocation, the third and fourth areas draw distinctly upon McMasters developmental legacy.
The Third area is Social Status. Influence here is derived from two particular individuals: Neil Scott and Robert W. Switzer II. One only needs to recall the performance of these two individuals at the 2004 CIS Indoor Championships to realize the importance of this area. Employing boyishly good-looks both Neil and Robert respectively captivated the hearts (if not the wallets) of the Lakehead and U of T contingents. Allocation is based on number of drinks consumed with someone else’s money.
The fourth and final area is Dynastic Slip-Ups. As with the third area, this area is specifically taken from the McMaster program. Case in point Tyler Murphy and Chris Hendershot. Both of these athletes entered the CIS system with impressive credentials, Murphy a consistent Top 5 finisher at OFSAA and Hendershot who is the offspring of a former CIS Cross- Country Champion and a member of Canada's Women’s 4x400m relay team at the 1976 Olympics. However, as their University careers progressed both athletes consistently underachieved. Allocation will be based on the number of expectations not achieved by any particular participant.
Although this new scoring system may leave traditionalists scratching their heads, the CIS believes that this system ensures a relevant role for intercollegiate sports in Canada – especially Cross-Country. Moreover, if Canada continues underachieve at future Olympics the COC will be able to scapegoat the CIS and its athletes who “where to slow” to garner scholarships South of the border and thus, did not provide the proper developmental atmosphere for Canadian paddlers.