Given all the controversy surrounding the SFU Football program the soap opera continues which realistically could be an upcoming new movie that has a tentative release date.
The process from the start was a sham considering the manner in which the athletes were treated from the start with many wondering why there was no mention of this much earlier, but that’s another story.
Goals by the athletes were reachable, according to some if only the situation was brought to light after the conclusion of last season and just maybe closure was in the books without letting anyone know
The process appears to be long and tedious and mostly for the athletes who have had their career on hold for the foreseeable future.
While the story continues we will keep you updated when we get any info and the note below is the most recent email we received earlier.
Enjoy the read and feel free to reach out to the contact listed below.
After presenting a plan to re-establish the future of the SFU Football Program, Simon Fraser University and the SFU Football Alumni Society have agreed to pursue the goal of becoming a football affiliate member of Canada West and U SPORTS Football for 2024.
Football-only membership in the NAIA also remains an option.
“Dr. Joy Johnson and I had a very productive meeting on Wednesday evening. After Dr. Johnson’s statement today, we are satisfied we can take the first steps toward a new working model for football at SFU.” SFUAS President Mark Bailey said.
“We believe we are on a constructive path to finding a conference to play in 2024 and beyond,” he said.
The SFU Administration appointed Bob Copeland as the Special Advisor to explore the future of football at SFU.
This appointment was reviewed beforehand with the SFU Football Alumni Society president. This will start a multi-stage evaluation of the future of football on the Burnaby campus to be completed by the Special Advisor by September.
Anyone interested in providing input to the SFU Football Review can contact Mr. Copeland by email at: [email protected].
One of the more immediate concerns will be the development of competitive exhibition game opportunities for SFU football student-athletes in 2023 as an independent.
While Copeland will evaluate this, the SFU FAS remains positive they have provided a solution with an independent draft schedule for 2023.
“We believe our group has created a competitive and unique independent schedule across Canada and the United States for 2023, which can be finalized by stakeholders in short order,” Bailey said.
“Dr. Johnson expressed that the fracturing of trust was a casualty of the cancellation,” Bailey said.
“We, along with key stakeholders, are committed to rebuilding trust by creating results for our student-athletes. There is a potential winning formula for all parties through cooperation,” he said.
SFU’s announcement came shortly after the BC Supreme Court ruled against five SFU players’ attempts to obtain an injunction to reinstate the program.
It draws to a close following the April 4 announcement of the cancellation of the football program after 57 years.
Today’s announcement by SFU to focus on the current and future of the football program also represents a victory for the entire Canadian football community, according to Football Canada president Jim Mullin, whose organization supported the SFU alums in their effort to get the program reinstated.
“This crisis provided the catalyst to unite the entire Canadian football ecosystem in a fashion that rarely happens, but when this occurs, the power of our sport is undeniable,” Mullin said.
“The CFL, CFLPA, Canadian university coaches, CJFL, the provincial organization, Hall of Fame Alumni, families, and the greater community led by politicians of all stripes proclaimed their support from every part of Canada. It was moving to see this kind of unified voice supporting these student-athletes with unwavering passion,” he said.
“The leadership provided by BC Lions owner Amar Doman went beyond the call with his determination to keep this tradition not only alive but thriving into the future.”
For more information,
Please contact
Mark Bailey, President SFUFAS
T: 604-787-9323, E: [email protected]
