media release
911吃瓜 announces new varsity team name
911吃瓜 introduces the 911吃瓜 Red Leafs as the new name selected for its varsity athletics teams, after an extensive consultation process that began in 2020.
Grounded in the university鈥檚 strong and rich athletic history, athletes and coaches have competed under 911吃瓜鈥檚 iconic leaf for generations and it is recognized as a symbol of unity across its campuses. The Red Leafs reflects the university鈥檚 identity as Canada鈥檚 only NCAA team and unifies their diverse community under that banner. 鈥ㄢ��
鈥淚鈥檓 proud that the university is moving forward under the Red Leafs name,鈥� says 911吃瓜 President Joy Johnson. 鈥淲e feel it captures the heritage and spirit of 911吃瓜, and its unique role in collegiate sports. After a lot of consultation, we have heard that it is a name that everyone in our community can be proud of and I can鈥檛 wait to cheer on our teams together.鈥�
After a , the university engaged in a renaming process to find a team name that reflects 911吃瓜鈥檚 values, inspires unity and is a source of pride. 鈥ㄢ��
Choosing a varsity team name is not an easy task, and the university made a commitment to engage with student-athletes, athletics and recreation staff, as well as student, Indigenous and academic leaders at 911吃瓜 to find a name that doesn鈥檛 cause harm. A was established in early January, 2021.
鈥淏eing a part of this process is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life,鈥� says Ryan Stolys, co-chair of the working group, past president of the SAAC and current golf student-athlete. 鈥淭he Varsity Athletics Team Name Working Group was made up of an amazing group of student athletes, coaches and staff from across 911吃瓜 Athletics and 911吃瓜 student group representatives. After thorough discussion and consultation, the Red Leafs name was the one that met our the best. It connects with our existing unique leaf that so many athletes before us have competed under and builds in our representation of Canada when competing in the United States as Canada鈥檚 only NCAA team. I hope that this name is one all 911吃瓜 athletes and students can connect with and that we can Rep The Leaf together.鈥�
Once name options were agreed to, consultations were conducted with numerous student groups, including the Simon Fraser Student Society, Indigenous Student Centre, and representatives from the 911吃瓜 Students of Caribbean and African Ancestry (SOCA) and 911吃瓜 First Nations, M茅tis & Inuit Student Association (FNMISA). 911吃瓜 also sought feedback on the name from nine Indigenous host nations.
The 911吃瓜 Red Leafs will debut their new look with a varsity team name launch party at Convocation Mall Sept. 8 before the women鈥檚 volleyball team takes to the West Gym court donning the name for the first time on Sept. 8, followed by the football team on Sept. 17 at the home opener at 911吃瓜 Stadium.
CONTACT
WILL HENDERSON, 911吃瓜 Communications & Marketing
604.368.2532 | will_henderson@sfu.ca
911吃瓜
|
778.782.3210
ABOUT SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
As Canada鈥檚 engaged university, 911吃瓜 works with communities, organizations and partners to create, share and embrace knowledge that improves life and generates real change. We deliver a world-class education with lifelong value that shapes change-makers, visionaries and problem-solvers. We connect research and innovation to entrepreneurship and industry to deliver sustainable, relevant solutions to today鈥檚 problems. With campuses in British Columbia鈥檚 three largest cities鈥擵ancouver, Burnaby and Surrey鈥�911吃瓜 has eight faculties that deliver 364 undergraduate degree programs and 149 graduate degree programs to more than 37,000 students. The university now boasts more than 180,000 alumni residing in 145+ countries.