No clear path forward for SFU football program, independent advisor finds
Posted September 18, 2023 4:29 pm.
Last Updated September 18, 2023 5:56 pm.
An independent special advisor has found there’s no clear path forward for SFU’s football program, which was shut down in April.
McLaren Global Sport Solutions was hired to look into this after the university’s decision to leave an NCAA conference and shut down the program sparked major resistance from alumni and members of the local football community.
The advisor has released a report saying the school could run a varsity football program in this country — but going back to a U.S. league is “not feasible or sustainable.”
Related links:
-
SFU football advisor to review future opportunities
-
B.C.-wide fundraiser to help save SFU’s football program happening Tuesday
“Competitive inequities and uncertainty associated with SFU football’s participation in the United States have been demonstrated over the program’s history across multiple conferences — leading to the conclusion that a competitive football program operating in the United States is not feasible or sustainable,” the report says.
As far as putting together a program in Canada, it may be possible to do so through membership in Canada West and U SPORTS, which is a path favoured by many SFU football alumni, but this may be too expensive, and even if it were possible, it wouldn’t happen anytime soon, the report says.
“The application fees required by U SPORTS and Canada West total $368,000. These one-time fees may be prohibitive given the structural operating budget deficit in the Department and would require additional external fundraising or University support,” it said.
“If an application to Canada West and U SPORTS is successful, a return to play earlier than 2025 is highly unlikely given the rigorous application requirements and timelines outlined in the new member application processes set forth by both organizations.”
SFU decided to end its varsity football program after its affiliate agreement with the Lone Star Conference in the southwestern U.S. was not renewed.
With files from Hana Mae Nassar and John Ackermann.
