SFU launches new strategy for Athletics and Recreation and finalizes decision to discontinue football program

Simon Fraser University is releasing its new strategy for SFU Athletics and Recreation.   

The strategy provides a strategic future framework for the department’s programs, teams, services, facilities, policies and resources.

It proposes guiding principles, core strategies and relevant key performance indicators to create alignment with the university’s institutional goals and commitment to academic excellence.  

Through continual review and improvement of all activities, the strategy calls on leadership to ensure the long-term sustainability of the department and its programs. 

Highlights of the new strategy include a stronger commitment to recreation programs to benefit all SFU students and efforts to encourage the SFU community to experience varsity games as part of university life.   

As part of the new strategy, the university confirmed that the football program will not be returning. It was announced in 2023 that the program was ending; that decision has now been made final. 

The 2023 decision to discontinue the football program was due to the team no longer having a place to play. Over the past several years, the football landscape had changed significantly, and we no longer believed the program provided an exceptional experience for student-athletes. 

Following that decision an extensive report by an independent special adviser reinforced that SFU had no place to play in the NCAA and found no clear path for the program’s reinstatement.

The special adviser warned that an application to play in USports would be costly with the outcome not guaranteed. It would also be difficult and require SFU to compete in two leagues.

In addition, like universities and colleges across the country, Simon Fraser University is facing an uncertain financial climate. While these challenges are recent – and do not impact the university’s decision on football – they do reinforce the need for stronger financial prudence across all aspects of the university including Athletics & Recreation.   

“We recognize the program’s historic place in the province’s sporting history and are deeply proud of the football student-athletes who played with SFU over the years,” says Dilson Rassier, SFU Provost and Vice-President, Academic.  

SFU is Canada’s only NCAA team. We are committed to excelling in the NCAA Division II and the GNAC (Great Northwest Athletic Conference) and RMAC (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) in 16 varsity sports, with more than 300 student-athletes.

CONTACT

JEFF HODSON, SFU Communications & Marketing
mediarelations@sfu.ca

Simon Fraser University 
Communications & Marketing | SFU Media Experts Directory
778.782.3210

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SFU is a leading research university, advancing an inclusive and sustainable future. Over the past 60 years, SFU has been recognized among the top universities worldwide in providing a world-class education and working with communities and partners to develop and share knowledge for deeper understanding and meaningful impact. Committed to excellence in everything we do, SFU fosters innovation to address global challenges and continues to build a welcoming, inclusive community where everyone feels a sense of belonging. With campuses in British Columbia’s three largest cities—Burnaby, Surrey and Vancouver—SFU has eight faculties that deliver 364 undergraduate degree programs and 149 graduate degree programs for more than 37,000 students each year. The university boasts more than 200,000 alumni residing in 145+ countries.