SFU announces major changes with plans to leave the NCAA for another varsity program
It appears Simon Fraser University’s time as an NCAA school is coming to an end.
The only Canadian-based school in the NCAA, SFU announced on Tuesday that it plans to leave in favour of rejoining U Sports, where UBC and other major Canadian university varsity teams play.
It’s been 15 years since SFU joined the NCAA. They were previously in the U Sports Canada West Conference from 2000 to 2010 before becoming the only Canadian university in the NCAA.
“Since the university committed to the NCAA 15 years ago, many things have changed that have called into question the alignment with SFU’s values, the student experience and financial viability,” the university said in a press release.
The decision to enter U Sports would mean SFU’s current golf, softball and outdoor track and field teams would be retired, since there are no leagues for those in U Sports.
“SFU is committed to building an athletics program that offers a high-quality competitive experience within an excellent academic setting,” said SFU provost and vice-president of academics Dilson Rassier.
“The decision to pursue an application with U SPORTS was not made lightly, but in the long run, will help support sustainability for the athletics program and the university at large, while deepening our sense of community for students and future student-athletes.”
Part of the decision was rooted in finance. SFU explained on Wednesday that the lower cost of the competition framework aided the decision, as the university has been facing financial challenges.
However, Rassier admitted that this decision would come as a letdown to some students.
“We recognize that this decision will be disappointing for current student-athletes, many of whom came to SFU specifically to compete in the NCAA,” Rassier said. “Moving forward, our goal is to support our athletes to continue their athletic careers as they see fit.”
The addition of SFU Red Leafs to U Sports gives the Canadian varsity leagues one of the biggest schools back competing. As of April 2024, over 37,000 students were enrolled at SFU. That would mean SFU is a top-10 university in terms of enrolment among the 58 current universities in U Sports.
If the application is approved, SFU would join U Sports in the fall of 2027.