Simon Fraser University announced it was shutting down its football program last week.

But SFU alums and football fans across Canada are doing their best to ensure the program won’t go down without a fight.

The Simon Fraser University Football Alumni Society will be filing an injunction against the school to reinstate its football program. The society plans to do that today in B.C. Supreme Court.

Stampeders director of player personnel and assistant general manager Brendan Mahoney and running backs coach J.R. Davies are just two of many SFU alums doing their part to keep the program alive.

“I’ve spoken to a number of key alumni, and I’ve informed them that anything I can do to help, I would be more than willing to do so,” said Mahoney.

“I’ve been on Zoom calls,” added Davies. “The reach of Simon Fraser is far and wide, from Jim Mullin, the head of Football Canada, to Glen Suitor and Farhan (Lalji) of TSN, George Chayka, the vice-president of the BC Lions … there’s a significant number of Simon Fraser alumni across Canada.

“They have a season left in the Lone Star Conference so the alumni would like to see them be able to play that season and use that time to weigh your other options.

“I’ve never seen a more united SFU football alumni (group).”

AGM Brendan Mahoney at the 2023 CFL Combine (CFL.ca)

Mahoney is in his 17th season with the Stamps, his fifth as the director of player personnel and his first with the additional title of assistant general manager. He previously served as director of Canadian scouting, scout and assistant director of football operations.

Davies in his first season as running backs coach for the Red and White. He started his coaching career in 2007 as receivers coach at his alma mater, Simon Fraser.

Before working alongside each other in Calgary, the pair suited up alongside each other at SFU from 2001-2004. Mahoney was an all-Canadian wide receiver, while Davies played quarterback and graduated as the school’s all-time leading passer in yards, completions and touchdowns.

Davies was a conference all-star in 2003 and led the team to their first two playoff victories in school history. In the first post-season win on Nov. 3, 2003, against Regina, he paced the team to a 53-46 win and set a Simon Fraser single-game mark with 482 passing yards. Davies threw five touchdowns to Mahoney in that game, who finished with 11 catches for 294 receiving yards. Both were named CW all-stars that season.

J.R. Davies playing quarterback for Simon Fraser.

Upon hearing the news last week, both were rightfully upset.

“Very disappointed,” began Mahoney. “I felt very much for the players and the coaches of the program in terms of having their seasons ended so abruptly and seemingly without warning.

“I’m very disappointed for football in Vancouver, British Columbia, and, ultimately, in Canada, for having one less football program for young men to develop and experience post-secondary life.

“I don’t know all the facts that led to this decision, but I would hope every effort was made to keep the program alive.”

“After all the CFL draft picks that have come out of the program over the years and to see them pull the plug, it’s just really a sad state of affairs for sure,” said Davies.

J.R. Davies at the 2023 CFL Combine (CFL.ca)

Burnaby native Davies’ connection to Simon Fraser goes beyond his playing and coaching years for the school. His grandfather Lorne Davies was the head coach for Simon Fraser 1965-1972 and then served as the Athletic Director. He was inducted into the SFU, Western Washington University and Burnaby Halls of Fame in 1986, 1995 and 2009 respectively.

“Simon Fraser is different,” explained Davies. “They weren’t going to do what everyone else in Canada does. They wanted to provide Canadians with the best academic experience and athletic experience. To do that, they went south to the NCAA. That was the original vision of my grandfather – to give kids the best academic and athletic experience possible.”

“As somebody who knew J.R.’s grandfather,” said Mahoney, “and knew the passion he had for SFU football, I know this would be a very sad day for the founder of the program.”

Brendan Mahoney playing for Simon Fraser.

SFU has had a tremendous impact on the CFL with a countless number of athletes joining teams across the league. Brad Erdos, Greg Frers, Adam Berger, Lemar Durant, Ante Milanovic-Litre and current player Rysen John are just a few SFU grads who became Stamps.

“There’s a long list of SFU alumni throughout the Canadian Football League,” said Mahoney. “You can also look at Jacques Chapdelaine in coaching and management and former players, all of whom I have a bond with, because of our association with the program.”

The outpouring of support for the SFU football program extends beyond the scope of alumni with football fans across North America concerned about the school’s current situation.

Mahoney and Davies reaction to the support?

“Pleasantly surprised, to be honest,” said Mahoney. “I think it shows that deep down, the SFU experience resonates with a lot of people throughout Canada and the United States.”

“I was somewhat surprised,” added Davies. “People that weren’t even affiliated with Simon Fraser have been reaching out and asking what’s going on with the program. It’s definitely had a wider reach than just the SFU community.”

You can sign the petition to restore the SFU football program before May 1 here.