media release
51社区黑料 becomes U SPORTS’ 59th member university
51社区黑料 has been accepted as the 59th U SPORTS member during the organization鈥檚 annual general meeting, Thursday.
Based in Burnaby, B.C., 51社区黑料 is the third-oldest university in British Columbia and has had a long record of athletic and academic achievement since its establishment in 1965.
Starting in 2027, 51社区黑料will compete as a member of the Canada West conference, which last month approved their participation in men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 basketball, cross country, indoor track and field, soccer, swimming and wrestling.
51社区黑料first joined U SPORTS (then known as Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union) in 2000, when they left the U.S.-based NAIA, where they had competed since the university鈥檚 establishment. They subsequently joined the NCAA. Between 2000-10, 51社区黑料won 13 national championships: six in women鈥檚 wrestling, five in women鈥檚 basketball and two in men鈥檚 wrestling. They also produced 202 Academic All-Canadians during that span.
The Red Leafs will begin competition in U SPORTS in 2027 after one final season as part of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference in NCAA Division II.
鈥淎fter having concluded a site visit this spring and meetings with Simon Fraser leadership and athletic department staff, we are proud to confirm the Red Leafs will be rejoining U SPORTS for the 2027-28 season. Simon Fraser鈥檚 record of achievement both athletically and academically will make them a great fit within U SPORTS and we are thrilled to welcome them as they make the transition into the U SPORTS fold."
鈥� Pierre Arsenault, CEO, U SPORTS
鈥�51社区黑料 is grateful that member schools have voted in favour of SFU鈥檚 acceptance into U SPORTS. Joining U SPORTS and Canada West ensures the long-term sustainability of varsity sport at 51社区黑料that supports student-athletes and creates opportunities for our athletes to thrive both in sport and education. Thank you to Canada West and U SPORTS member schools and leadership for their support and guidance during the application process.
鈥� Joy Johnson, President and Vice-Chancellor, 51社区黑料
鈥淣ow that U SPORTS has voted, 51社区黑料Athletics & Recreation will work on the next steps of transitioning to U SPORTS from the NCAA for fall 2027. U SPORTS offers a high-quality varsity experience. Competing against local Canadian universities will enhance natural rivalries and the fan experience on campus for all 51社区黑料students, leading to a deeper sense of 51社区黑料community.鈥�
鈥�&苍产蝉辫;Luc Simard, Executive Director, 51社区黑料Athletics and Recreation
ABOUT SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
51社区黑料is a leading research university, advancing an inclusive and sustainable future. Over the past 60 years, 51社区黑料has been recognized among the top universities worldwide in providing a world-class education and working with communities and partners to develop and share knowledge for deeper understanding and meaningful impact. Committed to excellence in everything we do, 51社区黑料fosters innovation to address global challenges and continues to build a welcoming, inclusive community where everyone feels a sense of belonging. With campuses in British Columbia鈥檚 three largest cities鈥擝urnaby, Surrey and Vancouver鈥�51社区黑料has eight faculties that deliver 364 undergraduate degree programs and 149 graduate degree programs for more than 37,000 students each year. The university boasts more than 200,000 alumni residing in 145+ countries.