Simon Fraser University's athletics and recreation department has shrunk again, with all three members of the marketing and communications team and the top four members of the recreation department being laid off, CBC has confirmed.
Steve Frost, a longtime associate director of marketing and communications, and communications managers Wilson Wong and Jacob Lazar were fired from their jobs Tuesday via email and Zoom call. I was informed of this.
The cuts follow SFU President Joy Johnson's sudden and controversial decision last year to eliminate the school's football team.
The end of the 57-year-old program came as a complete surprise to dozens of football student-athletes, staff and supporters, prompting intense criticism, lawsuits and a major fundraising effort to keep the program alive.
Senior Athletic Director Theresa Hanson resigned last August, and a replacement has not yet been named.
The decision to abolish the 57-year-old SFU football program in 2023 was met with shock and intense criticism. (Ben Nelms/CBC)
Amid adversity, SFU Athletics and Recreation is facing a $1.7 million operating deficit this year, according to a report commissioned by the school.
In an emailed statement, SFU confirmed that budgetary issues were a consideration for the job cuts.
“We can confirm that some roles have been removed, as this initiative can be supported through other areas of the organization,” it said in a statement.
With the elimination of football, SFU now has teams competing in eight different sports under the U.S.-based National Collegiate Athletic Association.
“At this time, there is no change to SFU's commitment to the NCAA, and the university will continue to meet NCAA competition requirements,” the statement said.
