ELLENSBURG, Wash. – In light of the recent decision by Simon Fraser University to eliminate its football program, Central Washington University would like to affirm our commitment to Wildcat football today and for the future.

"A peer institution in the Lone Star Conference has decided to discontinue its football program due to the challenges of its geographic location. But Central Washington University is fortunate to have a more advantageous location, and we will continue our historical commitment to Wildcat football," CWU President Jim Wohlpart said.
 
"CWU is committed to supporting this program and the student-athletes who have chosen to continue their playing careers in Ellensburg. Wildcat football plays a vital role at the university and in our community, and we plan to extend those connections for many years to come."
 
Wildcat football has been through many changes as of late. The Wildcats were part of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference through the 2021 season. Following the 2021 season, the GNAC's three remaining football-playing programs entered into affiliate membership with the Lone Star Conference due to low sponsorship numbers in both conferences. That came after the Wildcats captured their fourth consecutive GNAC championship and 11th overall as a member of the conference. 
 
Simon Fraser was a part of the Lone Star Conference with CWU for football. Citing, due to extensive travel, the need to cross the Canadian border, and the LSC accepting a full member with football Sul Ross State University, the LSC decided not to renew their membership agreement with SFU. Simon Fraser still had one year remaining as an affiliate member of the LSC, however, it decided that it was best to discontinue their program effective immediately.
 
Simon Fraser is another fatality of the ever-shrinking membership of NCAA Division II football on the west coast. Following the 2019 season Azusa Pacific discontinued their program citing a financial decision at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic as a member of the GNAC leaving the conference with three football-playing members, and Dixie State (now Utah Tech) departed the Division II ranks for the Division I FCS level. In 2018 Humboldt State (now Cal Poly Humboldt) discontinued their football program that was a part of the GNAC in a financial decision. Western Washington in 2008 decided to discontinue it's football program and in 2004 UC-Davis departed the Division II ranks for the FCS level.
 
With these changes, Central Washington and Western Oregon are now the lone members to participate in Division II football west of Colorado and New Mexico.
 
"It is always disappointing to see opportunities to compete at the college level in any sport eliminated and even more so a program with which we have had a long-standing relationship," stated Central Washington University Athletic Director Dennis Francois. "However, I understand the complexity of the situation and rationale for the difficult decision to discontinue football at Simon Fraser University. 
 
"Football at Central Washington University serves as a catalyst for our entire department and has a long history of fostering a strong sense of pride and affinity in our student body, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members.  Our commitment to our football student-athletes has never been stronger and we look forward to continuing to build on the foundation of academic and athletic excellence that has been established within Wildcat Football."
 
The recent changes to the Division II football landscape has not deterred CWU from finding success on the field. In the first-ever season competing in the LSC, Central Washington finished second in the LSC with a 6-3 conference record and a 6-4 overall record. The season was highlighted by an upset at home over number 20 Texas A&M-Kingsville by a 23-19 score on October 29.
 
Expectations are high after a successful first season in the LSC, and the Wildcats will have quite an opportunity to show what they're capable of as they head to Ogden, Utah to take on a perennial FCS Playoff Participant in the Weber State Wildcats to open the season. The Wildcats will then welcome defending LSC Champion and 2022 national quarterfinalist Angelo State to Ellensburg in a matchup of the top two teams in the conference last season.
 
Fresh off a new contract extension this offseason football head coach Chris Fisk is back to lead the Wildcats. Fisk has revamped the offensive and defensive line with recruits, bringing in seven offensive linemen and eight defensive linemen. Fisk also heavily recruited locally, bringing in 22 recruits from within the Washington borders. Among those coming back for the 'Cats will be All-American defensive back Patrick Rogers as well as All-LSC honorees safety Tanner Volk, running back Tre'Jon Henderson, tight end Kaiden Hammond, offensive lineman Kent Powell, defensive back Jahleel Breland, and punter Dan Stewart to lead CWU to achieve those high expectations.