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Following the announcement that ´óÏó´«Ã½ has , the university heard the strong desire to find a way forward for football from student-athletes, alumni, and the football community. Acknowledging that there are many challenges to address and a commitment to try to find a solution together, ´óÏó´«Ã½ also announced in April that to review options and search for a sustainable way forward.

Bob Copeland, Senior Vice-president of McLaren Global Sport Solutions, has been selected as the Special Advisor to explore options for the future of football at ´óÏó´«Ã½. Mr. Copeland has deep knowledge of university sport operating structures and has provided leadership in complex football consulting projects, including for U Sports and the Canadian Football League. His selection was reviewed with the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Football Alumni Society president prior to the appointment.

Mr. Copeland and McLaren Global Sport Solutions will work closely with student-athletes, staff, the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Football Alumni Society, and others to understand and explore options for a sustainable way forward for football at ´óÏó´«Ã½. The work begins immediately, Mr. Copeland, along with McLaren CEO, Richard McLaren, will be at ´óÏó´«Ã½ next week to convene preliminary meetings.

A final report will be shared this September. Anyone interested in providing input to the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Football Review can contact Mr. Copeland by email at: bcopeland@mgsportsolutions.com.

Terms of Reference for the work include to:

• Provide an independent assessment regarding the viability of resuming an inter-university football program at ´óÏó´«Ã½ in 2024 or later.
• Evaluate support for competitive exhibition game opportunities for ´óÏó´«Ã½ football student-athletes in 2023 as a means of transitioning to a potential new operating model and league in 2024.
• Invite the participation of ´óÏó´«Ã½ football stakeholders in the Football Review including, but not limited to, the following:    
  • Current ´óÏó´«Ã½ football student-athletes
  • Student-athlete representatives from the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)
  • Simon Fraser Students’ Society (SFSS) and other student groups
  • ´óÏó´«Ã½ employee groups as requested
  • ´óÏó´«Ã½ Football Alumni Association representatives, athletics alumni, and other alumni
  • Football program benefactors
  • ´óÏó´«Ã½ senior leadership
  • Athletics Department leadership, coaches, and staff
  • Other affected ´óÏó´«Ã½ community members who wish to participate in the process
• Initiate a dialogue with selected football governing bodies to explore the feasibility and requirements of ´óÏó´«Ã½ football being granted membership status. For example, this shall include USPORTS, Canada West Athletics Conference, NAIA, and other organisations that may be identified.
• Seek the perspectives of other football stakeholders in Canada including the Canadian Football League, Football Canada, and others that may be identified.
• Identify Key Performance Indicators related to operating a competitive inter-university football program at ´óÏó´«Ã½ that provides an exceptional student-athlete experience.
• Analyse the recent operating budgets for ´óÏó´«Ã½ football and assess future program investments required to operate a competitive and sustainable inter-university football program at ´óÏó´«Ã½.
• Identify the impacts and support related to offering an inter-university football program at ´óÏó´«Ã½.
• Issue a final report to ´óÏó´«Ã½ outlining key findings and options for ´óÏó´«Ã½ to consider related to the reinstatement of inter-university football. MGSS also will issue a public report on its website.

The university acknowledges that this has been a difficult time for many people, and thanks football alumni and the football community for being such passionate champions for ´óÏó´«Ã½ student-athletes. 

´óÏó´«Ã½ remains focused on supporting our current football student-athletes—including ensuring that their scholarships continue through degree completion and connecting them with other teams if they choose to transfer. I have also for football student-athletes, staff and alumni.

Joy Johnson
President and Vice-Chancellor
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