SFU ends football program

Simon Fraser University (SFU) has cut its football program after over 50 years.

“This is a difficult decision, and not one taken lightly,” SFU president Joy Johnson wrote in an April 4 announcement. “With the recent announcement that the team has not been invited to continue in the Lone Star Conference, we do not have a conference to play in beginning in 2024. The ongoing uncertainty creates an unacceptable experience for students. 

“The university has carefully considered all available options and as a leadership team we concluded that football is no longer a feasible sport for SFU,” Johnson continued.

SFU football joined the Lone Star Conference as a football-only member in 2022 after the Great Northwest Athletic Conference stopped sponsoring football following the 2021 season. Last year, the Lone Star Conference primarily consisted of schools from Texas and New Mexico. Central Washington University and Western Oregon University were also in the conference.

SFU played four of its home games at the Blaine High School stadium last October and November after Canada’s vaccination requirement caused difficulty for traveling teams. 

Johnson said in the announcement that the university will support its football athletes who want to explore other options and will honor the athletic scholarship commitments for students who choose to remain at the school.

SFU is Canada’s only NCAA team and will continue competing in 18 varsity sports at the Division II level. Its football program formed in 1965.