Lui Passaglia among group of football alumni demanding names be removed from SFU Sports Hall of Fame

Canadian Football Hall of Famers Lui Passaglia, Dave Cutler and Doug Brown are among 11 former Simon Fraser University players demanding their names be removed from the SFU Sports Hall of Fame over the school's decision to cut its football program.

"I don't wish to be affiliated with or have my prior football career 'bring excellence' to a university that no longer recognizes collegiate football as a worthwhile entity or endeavour for young amateur athletes throughout British Columbia,'' Passaglia said in a statement.

School president Joy Johnson announced on April 4 that Simon Fraser was discontinuing its football program, effective immediately. Johnson added it wasn't a financial decision but was based on the Texas-based Lone Star Conference's announcement it would not renew its football affiliation with Simon Fraser past the 2023 campaign.

Joining Passaglia, Cutler and Brown are Sean Millington, Glen Jackson, Terry Bailey, Wayne Holm, Rick House, Neil McKinlay, Rob McLaren and Orville Lee.

WATCH | SFU footballers speak about their shock immediately following the program's cancellation:

On April 13, five current SFU players — quarterback Gideone Kremler, defensive backs Kimo Hiu, Andrew Lirag and Ryan Barthelson and linebacker Dayton Ingenhaag — launched a lawsuit in B.C. Supreme Court against SFU to compel the school to reinstate the program.

Last week, following a meeting between Johnson and SFU football alumni, the school reiterated the team won't play this season. It added a "special adviser'' would be appointed "to review and make recommendations regarding potential sustainable opportunities for football.''

Passaglia and the group say they'd welcome returning to the SFU Sports Hall of Fame "when the football