Budget deficit a major factor in SFU football cancellation, despite earlier denials

Karin Larsen · CBC News

· Posted: Sep 18, 2023 4:06 PM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours ago

A study from the special advisor hired to look into the viability of Simon Fraser University's football programme appears to beryllium the last nail successful the coffin of the varsity squad that was abruptly eliminated 5 months ago, provoking a immense outcry.

Additionally, the study says the section overseeing varsity sports astatine SFU has large wealth problems, with an operational shortage of $1.7 cardinal this year.

"There are important concerns astir the operations of the section of athletics and recreation including rising fund deficits and a deficiency of capableness to enactment its existent programming," says the report.

Players and alumni were blindsided successful aboriginal April by the news that SFU president Joy Johnson had folded the team due to "ongoing uncertainty." 

On the aforesaid day, SFU's elder manager of athletics and recreation, Theresa Hanson, told players the determination was not financially motivated. Hanson near SFU 4 months later.

The study says determination is no clear, unencumbered way for the reinstatement of SFU shot successful the U.S., wherever it played for most of its 57 years in existence, oregon successful Canada.

It said the champion accidental for SFU to revive shot would be through the Canada West Conference of U Sports, nevertheless the schoolhouse would person to question an exemption oregon hold to alteration different varsity sports teams to U Sports, incurring "operational complexities and costs."

The study was prepared by Bob Copeland, elder vice-president of McLaren Global Sport Solutions, who was hired by SFU successful June to service arsenic a peculiar advisor and to research future football options. 

The elimination of the squad provoked outrage from the greater shot community, including a radical of high-profile subordinate graduates — including Lui Passaglia — who demanded their names beryllium removed from the SFU Sports Hall of Fame.

A pledge thrust spearheaded by B.C. Lions proprietor Amar Doman raised adjacent to $800,000 to assistance prevention the program.