Danielle Iallonardo

[Danielle Iallonardo @DIallonardo]

THIS ⬇️ @sfu_athletics will be a better place for present and future student-athletes because of what has been brought to light through the football debacle. Our players have paid the price of a toxic admin. To all sports - you’re welcome. 🤨

[Farhan Lalji @FarhanLaljiTSN]

@nwfbreport Football is taking the brunt of a dysfunctional department. Instead of signing a letter to get rid of 🏈, the other programs should be thanking 🏈 for exposing these flaws. With or without 🏈 back they’ll all be better off because @SFU will be embarrassed by what’s been exposed

[Danielle Iallonardo @DIallonardo]

@FarhanLaljiTSN @sfufbalumni @JockCartier @FarhanLaljiTSN That’s disgusting to hear. Toxic is an understatement.

[Gridiron Nations Championship @GridironNations]

The SFU Football Alumni Society has responded to the report on Football's future at @SFU #SaveSFUFootball

SFU Football Alumni Association Responds to SFU’s Unclear Messaging

Burnaby, BC – September 19, 2023 – The SFU Football Alumni Association (SFUFAS) stands prepared to chart the course for the resurgence of the SFU football program, following a recent report from Simon Fraser University (SFU) that left a clouded roadmap for its revival after the program's cancellation on April 6.

SFUFAS President Mark Bailey, acknowledging the absence of concrete recommendations in the report by Bob Copeland of McLaren Global Sport Solutions, emphasized, "Mr. Copeland was not asked to provide recommendations in the report but has illustrated the steps toward the reestablishment of the football program through Canada West and U SPORTS." Bailey further affirmed the alumni's unwavering commitment, stating, "We are ready to support the effort in any fashion possible."

The extensive 136-page report also shed light on the overarching challenges plaguing SFU's athletic department. This revelation hardly comes as a surprise, as the ill-fated NCAA experiment has proven to be a detriment to Canada's sole NCAA institution.

It is evident that the dysfunction within SFU athletics took root during SFU President Dr. Joy Johnson's tenure as the helm of the university's administration. The report stated, “The Department currently operates without a strategic plan. The lack of effective strategic planning in the Department is a concern, as is the lack of systematic evaluation of varsity programs and staff.”

Bailey noted, "The lack of advocacy and leadership from SFU's leadership to support SFU's student-athletes has been apparent to us for years now." He further expressed the frustrations of those who have strived to back their players and program while encountering administrative obstacles. Bailey added, "If it takes this report for Dr. Johnson to realize this, it's welcome but long overdue."

To ensure the return of the program, the SFUFAS suggests that football resources should be placed in escrow until a way forward can be determined.

“The endowments supporting football athletes, with money raised by football alumni, should remain dedicated to their intended purpose,” Bailey said.

“The football equipment should be put into storage and not out to auction. That would be a measure of trust-building which between the university administration and the alumni along with the football community has been lacking,” he said.

The community deserves clear communication from Dr. Johnson according to Bailey. “Is the issue around football’s future at SFU about money, or isn't it? Are we applying to U SPORTS, or aren't we? There has been a lot of mixed messaging from the administration, and if we can get clarity, we can start working together on a solution that restores the program and repairs the reputation of the university.”

The SFU Football Alumni Association remains resolute in its dedication to the restoration of the football program, eager to collaborate with the university and its leadership to pave a clear and successful path forward.

[Danielle Iallonardo @DIallonardo]

More lies exposed. @drjoyjohnson this your legacy. The reputation of a great BC university has been destroyed under your leadership. It’s time for a full changing of the guard @SFU so a path forward can be found.

[CFL News @CFL_News]

Budget deficit a major factor in SFU football cancellation, despite earlier denials https://t.co/0ZXqNKndg0 #CFL #USports via @CBCLarsen

[Jim McLellan @jimmclellan23]

@SFU lied in court, lied about the review, lied about Dr Joy quitting . To expect them to suddenly become honest is not smart. @sfufbalumni @provincesports when will this school be held accountable?

[Danielle Iallonardo @DIallonardo]

Let’s go @drjoyjohnson @McLarenSportVP Enough is enough. Where’s the report?! You’ve dragged this out long enough. Your @SFUFootball student-athletes deserve much better. #SaveSFUFootball 🇨🇦🏈

[Danielle Iallonardo @DIallonardo]

@CoachJErdman Have a great season Coach!

[When Did Simon Fraser Football Last Win?? @didsfuwin]

Please @sfu do not hire a local alum or loudest person in the room. We badly need an experienced NCAA administrator to clean house. Swimming nationals disaster, fball disaster, mbball in toilet, womens soccer scandal. The other senior, athletic directors need to go. @AlfieLau

[Offside @OffsideDH]

Hope for SFU football? Athletics director out months after program axed 😬https://t.co/jRs76avUPi

[Farhan Lalji @FarhanLaljiTSN]

Hopefully @SFU doesn’t make the mistake of delaying the decision on the 🏈 program until a new AD is hired. The job is very different with or without football & it changes the qualifications required of who is hired. The new AD should NOT be part of this decision. @sfufbalumni

[Danielle Iallonardo @DIallonardo]

It’s about time. @drjoyjohnson this is a step in the right direction but not nearly enough. It’s in your power to attempt to fix the damage Theresa Hanson did to @sfu_athletics. Reinstating football is a great place to start. @McLarenSportVP

[Global BC @GlobalBC]

Theresa Hanson, who presided over the school's controversial decision to scrap SFU's football program earlier this year, had led the school's athletics program since 2015.
https://t.co/CUvtegd31L

[Danielle Iallonardo @DIallonardo]

Proud to be in the trenches with these two in the fight to #SaveSFUFootball 🇨🇦🏈. We’re still here and we’re still fighting @drjoyjohnson. Do the right thing for the student-athletes of @SFUFootball.

[Gridiron Nations Championship @GridironNations]

Nice to see Mario Luongo here representing @sfufbalumni. We remain committed on the path to #SaveSFUFootball🇨🇦🏈

[Jacob Anderson @jacob_ander1562]

the literal definition of when talent works hard @CFL @BCLions sign my man

[Danielle Iallonardo @DIallonardo]

THIS is what we are fighting for. @McLarenSportVP it’s in your hands to educate @drjoyjohnson on the path forward. Do the right thing for the players of @SFUFootball.

[Tank Brewster @BrewsterTank]

Only time will Tell…
We ain’t gonna die.

Here for what the future holds

@CFL @FarhanLaljiTSN @BCLions @TheJCAbbott @diodatipat49th @CoachJLinnen @geroysimon

[Danielle Iallonardo @DIallonardo]

@BrewsterTank @CFL @FarhanLaljiTSN @BCLions @TheJCAbbott @diodatipat49th @CoachJLinnen @geroysimon @SFUFootball Love this @BrewsterTank. Still here, still fighting to get that back. 🇨🇦🏈

[Danielle Iallonardo @DIallonardo]

@jacob_ander1562 Good grief! What next? @drjoyjohnson Was the soap removed from all the change rooms or just football? 🤨 @sfufbalumni

[Jacob Anderson @jacob_ander1562]

fyi its been like this for almost a week, didnt want to say anything in case it was a mistake 🤷‍♂️

[Danielle Iallonardo @DIallonardo]

@drjoyjohnson and @hsbc Angie Lamarsh report to the Gov’t of BC. @dave_eby @selinarobinson When will you do your job and hold them accountable for their actions? @MPJulian @coraleeoakes #SaveSFUFootball 🇨🇦🏈

[Matt Christian @mattye256]

Time for @drjoyjohnson @TheresaHansonAD and all other @SFU admin responsible to be held accountable for their lies. Time to clean house.

[theBreaker.news and #thePodcast @theBreakerNews]

Two days before players began spring workouts, SFU managers secretly recommended the football program be cancelled. #SportsBiz #burnaby #bcpoli #bced #CFL #NCAA #NAIA #USports #cdnfoi
https://t.co/80MKdJZAnu