Simon Fraser to cut outdoor track and field ahead of U SPORTS move

On November 26, 2025, Simon Fraser University announced plans to transition its athletics departments and all varsity sports teams out of the NCAA (Division II) and into U SPORTS.

This decision comes after the university reviewed an independent report "outlining the impacts of transferring out of the NCAA and into a Canadian competitive athletic framework."

This article will be updated as more details emerge, but here's what we know about the decision as of November 26, 2025:

• SFU has been a member institution in the NCAA (Division II) since 2009 as the only Canadian university in the NCAA.
• The university cites "financial and logistical sustainability" as a "critical aspect of the decision-making process" and estimates savings of $1.1 million as a result of a prospective transition to U SPORTS (SFU.ca).
• SFU is in the process of applying for admission into U SPORTS and the Canada West conference (SFU.ca).
• If accepted, the transition would happen in advance of the 2027-28 academic year. Simon Fraser would continue to participate in the NCAA for the remainder of 2025-26 and through 2026-27 (SFU.ca).
• Five sports would be retired as SFU varsity programs as of 2027-28: men's and women's golf, women's softball, and both men's and women's outdoor track and field (SFU.ca).

Changes coming to Simon Fraser University track and field/cross country

If Simon Fraser University is admitted into U SPORTS and Canada West, here's what that would mean for its men's and women's track and field/cross country teams, as well as current and future recruits:

• Unlike the NCAA, U SPORTS does not sponsor outdoor track and field. As a result, SFU's men's and women's track and field/cross country teams would compete in U SPORTS XC during the fall and indoor track and field during the winter.
• No Canadian universities would remain as NCAA members.
• Simon Fraser would no longer be limited by NCAA scholarship limits, although funding for athletic scholarships in U SPORTS depends on the financial viability of the athletics department of each university to provide budget for each varsity team's scholarships.
• Indoor events in U SPORTS are different from those in the NCAA. For example, the 300-metres, 600-metres, and 1000-metres are contested as championship events, whereas the 200, 400, and 800 ("standard" track and field events) are not.
• Many U SPORTS track and field athletes continue to train with their university teams and coaches during the outdoor season.
• U SPORTS track and field is home to elite athletes and is well-aligned with the Athletics Canada outdoor track and field competition calendar.
• SFU's outdoor track and field teams will not be allowed to pursue the opportunity to compete in the NAIA if approved to join Canada West and U SPORTS.
• Outdoor track and field athletes will retain their athletic scholarships through 2026-27, but if accepted into Canada West and U SPORTS, "financial aid will not be retained for the 2027-28 academic year for the retired sport of outdoor track" (SFU.ca).

Current SFU track and field athletes express desire to stay in NCAA

According to the independent report prepared by McLaren Global Sports Solutions, current student-athletes on the Red Leafs track and field roster expressed a lack of support for the university's prospective move to U SPORTS:

• "There is no outdoor track and field in U SPORTS, so a lot of our events would not be represented…we'd have to give up javelin, hammer, discus, 100 hurdles, 110 hurdles, etc."
• "The level and depth of competition is very different. The fact that we would lose many student-athletes is very concerning to me."
• "We have really thrived in the NCAA."
• "U SPORTS meets not being sanctioned by World Athletics means that I could not qualify for any of the important national teams I try out for."
• "I would lose the chance to compete in the 100m and 200m sprints during our collegiate season."
• "This is my first year at SFU, and the reason I came to the school was the DII sports. If SFU moves to U SPORTS, I will have to look for another school to compete for because of the lack of opportunities U SPORTS provides for athletics."

More feedback from SFU track and field student-athletes can be found on page 84 of the independent report.

Links

This article was written based on information provided in the following published articles and reports:

• Simon Fraser University to pursue U SPORTS membership (SFU, November 26, 2025)
• SFU to review independent consultant’s report on competitive athletic frameworks (SFU, November 17, 2025)
• Competitive Frameworks and Impacts of SFU Athletics Competing in Canada - Final Report (McLaren Global Sport Solutions Inc., November 17, 2025)

Editorial Note from the Author

As a former track and field student-athlete at Simon Fraser University (2009-14), who was part of the program during its transition from the NAIA to NCAA, I know what it means to compete in the NCAA and to represent SFU as "Canada's NCAA Team."

To the current student-athletes: today’s news is heavy. Talk to your coaches, lean on your teammates and use the mental health resources the university provides. Give yourself room to process what this means for your season and your long-term goals.

If you need help understanding your competitive or academic options moving forward, ask questions early. Get clear on where you stand, what this change might impact and what paths remain open. You don’t need to navigate that alone.