BC Lions, alumni society raising money to save SFU’s football program

Simon Fraser University (SFU) football players are throwing a Hail Mary to bring back their cancelled varsity team with support from the BC Lions.

Former team members and players started a pledge drive Tuesday, and received backing from BC Lions owner Amar Doman, who promised to match up to $500,000 in donations made.

“This should be carried on and continued, so should the tradition,” Doman said.

“We’re trying to continue to — I don’t want to say pressure but, put pressure on SFU to reconsider their actions.”

In a statement to CityNews, SFU says in part: “The university explored and carefully considered all available options and met with sports leaders across the collegiate landscape … it is not feasible to continue SFU varsity football at this time.”

The SFU Football Alumni Society, which filed a court injunction last week to try to get players back on the field, says the university’s statement is wrong.

“We know there’s avenues in which we can compete in the Lonestar conference in the NCAA,” said Mark Bailey, the group’s president.

Read more:

• BC Lions owner says team will ‘do what they can’ for SFU football players

• SFU ends varsity football program

• B.C.-wide fundraiser to help save SFU’s football program happening Tuesday

Current SFU student and football player Mark Ruby says he’s been playing football his whole life, and explains it’s been “one of the most important things” when it comes to his success.

“Football was instrumental for me to graduate from a degree,” he said.

“There’s so much at stake here.”

Ruby adds he is fairly confident the team will return, considering how many important people the program has produced.

“It is important that SFU has produced the most CFL players of any Canadian university, but I think what is more important is that the school’s football program has produced teachers, it’s produced firefighters, police officers, MLAs in our government,” he said.

Related articles:

• SFU football advisor to review future opportunities

• SFU football player faces ‘uncertain’ future after program cut

• CFL commissioner Ambrosie asks for SFU program to continue in Canada

Parent Launa Kremler with the SFU Football Mom Squad says being part of this team runs in the family.

“We had three boys go through the football program at the university, Gideon Kremler is the last one. Without football scholarships … three boys would not have probably been able to go to that university,” said Kremler.

As of Tuesday evening, a tweet from the SFU Football Alumni’s Twitter account said the group had raised over $600,000.

600 let’s keep it going to 700 ????????

.#1Day4SFUFootball

Make your pledge here on Tuesday, April 25https://t.co/ADNPfo4xAm#SaveSFUFootball ????????????#wecanplay2023 #VISTA

Sign the petitionhttps://t.co/t4Zv5zKXdK@CFL @BCLions @CFLPA @CFL_Alumni @SFU @USPORTSca https://t.co/PkUltZQaZd pic.twitter.com/9RaTBFqQI0

— SFU Football Alumni (@sfufbalumni) April 26, 2023