Simon Fraser University unveils new name for varsity athletic teams

After an extensive renaming process, Simon Fraser University has officially announced their new varsity sports name.

The teams will now be referred to as the SFU Red Leafs.

Red Leafs is more than a name. It's our name.#RepTheLeaf🍁 https://t.co/78hf5YloaF

— SFU Athletics (@sfu_athletics) September 6, 2022

"I am proud that the university is moving forward under the Red Leafs name," said SFU President Joy Johnson.

"We feel it captures the heritage and spirit of SFU 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 o and I can't wait to cheer on our teams together."

Previously, SFU had been known as 'The Clan', or 'Clansmen'. However, back in the summer of 2020, the name was retired after a report was commissioned to examine current perceptions of the 'Clan' name.

The university cited, among other things, that:

"As Canada’s only NCAA team, we compete in the United States, where the name Clan is impossible to separate from the Ku Klux Klan. However, these troubling histories aren’t confined to the US; the KKK and anti-Black racism exist here in Canada. We must stand up against anti-Black racism at all levels—individual, institutional, and systemic—and stand with and for our Black students, colleagues and friends at every opportunity."

The name retiring and subsequent renaming process from SFU has followed other universities like McGill Redbirds/Martlets (formerly Redmen) and Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson).

Initially, the new name was expected to be announced by the end of 2020. However, the process was arduous as the university engaged with student-athletes, athletics and recreation staff, students and Indigenous academic leaders.

After name options were agreed to, consultations were conducted with numerous student groups, as the school also sought feedback on the name from nine indigenous hosts nations.

The Red Leafs will debut their new look for the first time on Thursday, Sept 8, with a women's volleyball league match.

For more information on the Red Leafs, please click here.