The Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) recently announced a significant change in the eligibility guidelines for student-athletes participating in collaborative/integrated programs. This update provides greater flexibility and opportunities for student-athletes pursuing their academic and athletic goals simultaneously.
Under the new guidelines, student-athletes enrolled in a collaborative/integrated program can now compete for their preferred institution throughout their academic career. A collaborative/integrated program is defined as one that leads to a diploma and/or degree, offered between two post-secondary institutions through an agreement. The program must be collaborative with a partner institution, with an agreement outlining its collaborative nature.
Holland College has many degree-pathways in place with other post-secondary institutions around the region and beyond, both with in-person and distance learning opportunities. This adjustment to the eligibility guidelines by the CCAA would essentially allow a student to graduate with a diploma from Holland College but continue competing with the Hurricanes while completing their degree at another post-secondary institution with a collaborative/integrated pathway in place.
Key Points of the New Eligibility Guidelines:
This change will provide increased athletic options for student-athletes at Holland College beginning this fall. Graduates from Holland College can now continue to compete with the Hurricanes while pursuing their degree in a collaborative/integrated program at another post-secondary institution.
Quotes:
Doug Currie, Vice President – Corporate Services at Holland College:
“This is a positive development that continues to grow our academic pathway partnerships and Holland College’s commitment to supporting both the student’s academic and athletic excellence.”
Albert Roche, Director of Athletics and Recreation at Holland College:
“We are thrilled with the CCAA’s decision. This change provides our student-athletes with more flexibility and the opportunity to represent Holland College throughout their educational journey. It’s an incredible boost for our athletic programs and our students’ future success.”
Laura Ready, Former Holland Hurricanes volleyball student-athlete:
“I’m honestly so happy to hear that this option is now available to student-athletes at Holland College. I did the 2+2 pathway from Holland College to UPEI, and while I was thankful for the opportunity to continue to complete my degree, it was so hard to give up playing varsity volleyball. It’s absolutely incredible that student-athletes can now continue playing throughout their 2+2 journey, and can continue to represent Holland College athletics, while furthering their education at another institution.”
Dominique Ryan, Former Holland Hurricanes volleyball student-athlete:
“This is great news for Holland College and the CCAA. It was always more difficult for institutions like Holland College, who mostly offered two-year programs, to build team chemistry with the amount of student-athlete turnover. This is exciting news because it gives athletes the opportunity to continue playing the sport they dedicated so many hours to throughout their lives, while pursuing the final credits needed to graduate with a degree and set themselves up for success after sport. My time at Holland College was rewarding and fulfilling. I have no regrets, but I would be remiss if I didn't think about what those two extra years could have looked like playing sport while finishing out my education at UPEI. I think this will incentivise lots of student-athletes to choose Holland College.”
Amy Plaggenhoef, Current Holland Hurricanes basketball student-athlete:
“I’m super excited to hear about the eligibility changes that will allow me to keep playing at Holland College while continuing my studies at UPEI. Over the past three years while playing at Holland I have built so many amazing relationships through basketball and to be able to continue to play the sport that I love with those people is super exciting. This opens so many opportunities for our team and I can’t wait to see what the future holds in women’s basketball at Holland College.”
The CCAA's new eligibility guidelines reflect a commitment to enhancing the student-athlete experience, fostering an environment where academic and athletic achievements go hand-in-hand. Holland College is proud to support this initiative and looks forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on our student-athletes.
Looking for more information on the formal agreements between Holland College and partner universities and colleges, visit our Degree Pathways page here | https://hollandcollege.com/about/degree-pathways.html.
Are you a recent Holland College graduate that would benefit from this change in eligibility guidelines? Reach out at the Hurricanes by email at aroche@hollandcollege.com to inquire about athletic options that may exist.
For more information on the Holland Hurricanes, please visit www.hollandhurricanes.com, www.facebook.com/hollandhurricanes, www.x.com/hc_hurricanes and www.instagram.com/hollandhurricanes.
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