Athletics

Rep The Leaf! SFU Red Leafs are the only Canadian member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)—the largest collegiate sports organization in the world.

The success of our student athletes is rooted in excellence. We have 13 varsity teams, as well as numerous recreational club and competitive club sports.  As the only Canadian university offering an NCAA experience, we attract and retain talent that may otherwise move to the U.S. to train and compete.

Our student athletes compete nationally and internationally, demonstrating exceptional skill, sportsmanship, and dedication, while showcasing the strength and spirit of the SFU Red Leafs across borders.

By the numbers

2023-2024

• 12+ recreational clubs and 13 varsity sports
• 554 recreational and 290 varsity student-athletes

Since 1965 and counting:

• 7000+ alumni
• 750+ All-Americans
• 300+ national champions
• 200+ CFL draft picks
• 95 Olympians
• 11 Olympic medals

Selected highlights

SFU Athletics provides a range of opportunities for students to pursue both varsity and recreational sport, enriching their university experience beyond the classroom—and, for spectators, many of our live games or special events are open to the public.

In 2022, SFU Red Leafs was introduced as the new name for our varsity athletics teams, following an extensive consultation process that began in 2020. While the Lorne Davies Complex on the Burnaby campus is currently undergoing upgrades to enhance sports and recreation facilities, our first permanent outdoor stadium at Terry Fox Field opened in 2021.

SFU Athletics also boasts numerous notable alumni, many of whom are featured in the SFU Athletic Hall of Fame. Established in 1986 to honour outstanding contributions to SFU Athletics, the hall of fame includes Olympians like Daniel Igali (men’s wrestling) and Sue Holloway (canoeing), inspirational trailblazers like Canadian icon, Terry Fox or the first female Indigenous UBC School of Medicine graduate, Dr. Nadine Caron; and history-making basketball coach, Jay Triano, and many more.

Learn more

Sofia Janmohamed
Executive Director
sofia_janmohamed@sfu.ca
778.782.7686