ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Lions owner Amar Doman says he will be matching donations to help save Simon Fraser University's discontinued football program.
School president Joy Johnson announced April 4 that Simon Fraser was discontinuing its football program, effective immediately. Johnson said the decision wasn't financially based, rather on the Texas-based Lone Star Conference's announcement it would not renew its football affiliation with the Burnaby, ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ school past the 2023 campaign.
In a video posted on the Lions' Twitter page, Doman said he and the team will match the amount for every 100 donations, up to a maximum of $500,000.
Doman also mentioned April 25 being "Save SFU football day," in reference to the donations. He also asked that people sign a petition available online to save the program.
A group of Simon Fraser football players filed a lawsuit against the university in ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Supreme Court on April 13 aimed at stopping the discontinuation of the school's football program.
SFU is the only Canadian school in the NCAA and has had a football team since 1965.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 19, 2023.
The Canadian Press
