Message from the President: 天美mv天美 announces Special Advisor for Football Review, to begin immediately
Following the announcement that 天美mv天美 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, 天美mv天美 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 天美mv天美. 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 天美mv天美 Football Alumni Society president prior to the appointment.
Mr. Copeland and McLaren Global Sport Solutions will work closely with student-athletes, staff, the 天美mv天美 Football Alumni Society, and others to understand and explore options for a sustainable way forward for football at 天美mv天美. The work begins immediately, Mr. Copeland, along with McLaren CEO, Richard McLaren, will be at 天美mv天美 next week to convene preliminary meetings.
A final report will be shared this September. Anyone interested in providing input to the 天美mv天美 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 天美mv天美 in 2024 or later.
- Evaluate support for competitive exhibition game opportunities for 天美mv天美 football student-athletes in 2023 as a means of transitioning to a potential new operating model and league in 2024.
- Invite the participation of 天美mv天美 football stakeholders in the Football Review including, but not limited to, the following:
- Current 天美mv天美 football student-athletes
- Student-athlete representatives from the 天美mv天美 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)
- Simon Fraser Students鈥� Society (SFSS) and other student groups
- 天美mv天美 employee groups as requested
- 天美mv天美 Football Alumni Association representatives, athletics alumni, and other alumni
- Football program benefactors
- 天美mv天美 senior leadership
- Athletics Department leadership, coaches, and staff
- Other affected 天美mv天美 community members who wish to participate in the process
- Initiate a dialogue with selected football governing bodies to explore the feasibility and requirements of 天美mv天美 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 天美mv天美 that provides an exceptional student-athlete experience.
- Analyse the recent operating budgets for 天美mv天美 football and assess future program investments required to operate a competitive and sustainable inter-university football program at 天美mv天美.
- Identify the impacts and support related to offering an inter-university football program at 天美mv天美.
- Issue a final report to 天美mv天美 outlining key findings and options for 天美mv天美 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 天美mv天美 student-athletes.
天美mv天美 remains focused on supporting our current football student-athletes鈥攊ncluding 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
天美mv天美