Luc Simard made history when he joined Simon Fraser University on September 1, 2024.
On that date, he became the school’s first-ever Executive Director, Athletics and Recreation, filling a newly-created role to provide executive-level leadership in the transformation of SFU's Athletics and Recreation programs.
In his short time on Burnaby Mountain, Simard has already made a large impact, as the school launched a new strategy for SFU Athletics and Recreation in January 2025, to create alignment with institutional goals and the academic mission. The renewed strategic plan will ensure financial optimization and revenue generation will support long-term sustainability of A&R departments and programs.
Simard brings a wealth of experience aligning athletics and recreation departmental objectives and budgets with vision and values, developing strategic priorities to drive sustainable participatory and financial success.
He has more than 15 years' experience in senior management and facility and business development at higher education, municipal recreation and private sector organizations in Quebec, Ontario and Australia.
Before becoming a member of SFU’s Athletics and Recreation Team, Simard was the Director, Sports and Recreation at the University of Toronto. He spent a total of seven years at the school building a safe and inclusive sports environment, increasing accessibility for students of all abilities, something he continues to do at SFU.
Simard has been around sports his whole life, taking to swimming at a young age before becoming an elite water polo player. He played at the University of Ottawa for Canada’s junior national team. He also helped build the sport by coaching and officiating water polo.
