By Canadian Press

B.C. Lions owner on board with donating to help save Simon Fraser football program

Apr 19, 2023 | 4:05 PM

BURNABY, B.C. — B.C. 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, B.C. 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 B.C. Supreme Court on April 13 aimed at stopping the discontinuation of the school’s football program.

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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