Simon Fraser football hit the turf Wednesday, opening up with its first on-field session of the fall under new head coach Mike Rigell. The school's new football fieldhouse complex on Terry Fox Field, nearing completion atop Burnaby Mountain, can be seen in the background. (Photo by Jacob Hall property of Simon Fraser athletics 2020. All Rights Reserved)
Feature University Football

No games for Simon Fraser football, but “…it’s like bricks off our shoulders” says SFU coach Mike Rigell of team’s return to Terry Fox Field

BURNABY — A new head coach, a new stadium, a pending new nickname, and of course, in these times of global pandemic, a new reality of uncertainty in the world of collegiate athletics.

This past season's Oct. 21 clash in Surrey between Holy Cross (red) and visiting Windsor showcased quarterback recruits for both SFU (Nate Hunt, with ball) and UBC (Ryan Baker, 8). (Photo by Howard Tsumura property of VarsityLetters.ca)
Feature High School Football University Football

Varsity Letters’ B.C. Recruits List 2018: Where 111 football prospects are headed this coming season

LANGLEY — Welcome to Day 2 of B.C. Recruits List Week here at Varsity Letters. As we mentioned yesterday, we’ll be previewing a sport a day through this week with the entire list set for Sunday publication. Wednesday is football day!

(File photo by Ron Hole, SFU athletics)
SFU head coach Kelly Bates saw his team battle in the fourth quarter of an eventual loss Saturday in Phoenix. (File photo by Ron Hole, SFU athletics)
Feature University Football

SFU’s makeshift O-line, QB Richardson impress, but Clan football falls in season opener

In keeping with the theme of last-minute school supply shopping, you could say that the offensive line that the Simon Fraser Clan debuted Saturday night in Phoenix was being held together by paper clips and scotch tape.Except when Clan head coach Kelly Bates marched out two pure freshmen and two converted defensive linemen, the makeshift […]

After a four-year apprenticeship at middle linebacker, Jordan Leech moves into Jordan Herdman's starting spot Saturday in Phoenix. (Ron Hole, SFU athletics)
Feature University Football

Soaking it all up, Clan senior linebacker Leech brings patience, Herdman-mentality to new starting role

BURNABY MOUNTAIN — As a health sciences major at Simon Fraser University, Clan middle linebacker Jordan Leech is aware of two different definitions of the word ‘osmosis’.

Back in the day -- 2005 -- SFU's Jason Marshall (Carson Graham, left) and UBC's Blake Smelser (Burnaby Central) were duelling pivots promoting the Shrum Bowl. (Photo -- SFU Athletics)
Feature University Football

Shrum Bowl drought hits record seven straight years as UBC, SFU release 2017 schedules

If you’re a passionate believer in the importance of B.C.’s annual crosstown university football rivalry, you’re no doubt thirsty for the return of the Shrum Bowl.