Report: SFU would save $850K coming back to Canada, but teams would be cut

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Decision on next steps expected by ‘end of the month,’ but women’s softball and men’s and women’s golf would be cut if move to leave NCAA goes forward

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Published Nov 17, 2025 • Last updated 2 days ago • 2 minute read

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File photo: SFU's golf program may be cut if the school leaves the NCAA to return to Canadian competition. Pictured is 22-year-old SFU golfer Chris Crisologo in 2018. File photo: SFU’s golf program may be cut if the school leaves the NCAA to return to Canadian competition. Pictured is 22-year-old SFU golfer Chris Crisologo in 2018. Photo by Maciek Gudrymowicz /PNGArticle content

SFU Red Leafs athletics could save over $850,000 a year if they leave the NCAA for U Sports and Canada West competition, but that includes cutting their women’s softball and men’s and women’s golf programs.

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That’s according to a report made public Monday from Bob Copeland of McLaren Global Sports Solution, who was commissioned by SFU to look into bringing their teams back to Canada. SFU told Postmedia in August that it was considering its athletic options and announced on its website in September that Copeland was doing this report.

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SFU put out a statement Monday as well, saying school brass are reviewing Copeland’s findings and will make a decision on how they plan to move forward “by the end of the month.” If a change in affiliation was to happen, it likely wouldn’t occur until 2027-28, due to scheduling issues.

The statement and the Copeland’s report can be found here.

SFU had been members of the Canada West Conference — playing against the likes of the UBC Thunderbirds, the UVic Vikes and the Trinity Western Spartans — for 10 years before moving to NCAA Division II in 2010. They’re the lone Canadian member of the NCAA.

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Copeland’s 104-page report has SFU saving “approximately $858,798” annually off the athletic department budget if they go to Canada West, but $575,695 of that comes from dropping softball and the golf teams. Those sports aren’t part of Canada West.

Additional savings across the remaining 13 SFU sports would be “largely attributable to reductions in travel costs,” and “estimated to be $337,090.”

Copeland did list a “one-time application costs of $990,000,” to join Canada West.

SFU’s statement Monday also explained that “we recognize and regret the impact that this process — and the uncertainty it creates — has had on our student-athletes.”

“This decision is complex and will be aligned with SFU values and based on what is best for the university,” the statement continued. “The executive will consider several factors, including the independent consultant’s report, non-sport-related impacts of competing in the U.S., feedback from the SFU community, student-athletes, and the sporting community, and financial implications.”

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Copeland’s report makes references to financial issues in athletics and the school in general.

“This uncertainty about the future of varsity programs remains, given ongoing budget pressures faced by SFU with an operating shortfall expected for 2025-26,” Copeland writes. “Leadership anticipates a roughly $20 million deficit for the coming year and is implementing institutionwide budget reductions to produce a consolidated, balanced budget.

“These institutionwide budget cuts will impact the Department of Athletics and Recreation which is expected to face up to $1M in cuts over the next five years. It is likely that budgetary pressures will likely continue for some time given a cloud of financial uncertainty that hangs over the university and college sector in Canada, suggesting the need for structural changes across the university, including the Department.”

SFU had turned to Copeland for a report on the viability of keeping football after initially shutting down the program abruptly 2023.

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SEwen@postmedia.com