February 10, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Burnaby, BC. 

On January 15th, 2025, the University announced that the Varsity football program would not return, claiming the decision was not made lightly. However, the SFSS is deeply disappointed by this permanent cancellation, particularly given the lack of transparency and stakeholder involvement in the decision-making process. This decision disrespects past and present student-athletes, staff, and coaches who have dedicated their time, talents, and resources to the program’s long legacy. 

As the University’s largest sports program, football’s impact on students cannot be overstated. Football has been a cornerstone of SFU’s school spirit and community identity since 1965, bringing together students, alumni, and the broader community in shared moments of celebration, pride, and unity that extended far beyond the field of play. 

This discontinuation eliminates a valuable opportunity for student athletes to pursue higher education alongside their football careers and raises serious concerns about SFU’s New Athletics Strategy. While the University outlined four goals to grow SFU’s Athletics & Recreation toward creating an inspired, active, and connected community, the decision to permanently end the Varsity football program contradicts the strategy’s first operational framework goal to “Excel in Transforming the Student Experience.” 

The program fostered not just physical development, but mental and emotional growth. It created a strong sense of belonging and taught athletes the power of shared goals. Through guidance from coaches, staff, teammates, and officials, student-athletes learned valuable lessons about competition, commitment, and camaraderie. 

SFU’s decision has devastated our student-athletes, coaches, staff members, alumni, and the entire SFU community who invested heavily in this program. The elimination affects everything from tryouts and tournaments to individual records and professional career opportunities. The SFSS commits to working with the University to provide support and alternatives for all those affected. 

Though we can no longer celebrate our football athletes on the field, the SFSS will continue advocating for all student-athletes and raising their concerns to the University. We remain hopeful that SFU will maintain quality experiences for our current and future student-athletes, and we will vigilantly monitor the University’s decisions regarding sports, athletics, and recreation programs. 

Emmanuel Adegboyega, President

Simon Fraser Student Society