The Impact of the Economic Recession on Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Programs

Abstract

There is a paucity of research that addresses the impact of the recent economic recession on Intercollegiate Athletics programs in Canada. This study investigated the impact of the recession as it relates to Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS), the national governing body for university sport in Canada. Telephone interviews were conducted with the Director of Athletics at eight universities across the country, as well as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CIS. Results of the study indicated that very few schools had been asked to make dramatic reductions to programming. Athletic programs have proceeded cautiously with budget spending, suspicious that the worst may not be over. The greatest financial impacts were experienced in general University as well as athletic-specific endowments.