AU and CFLPA renew partnership
Athabasca University (AU) and Canadian Football League Players’ Association (CFLPA) are pleased to announce the renewal of their partnership for another five years.
AU began its partnership with CFLPA in June 2014 as the official education provider for their players, and in 2019 AU became the official education partner of the CFL as well as the CFL Alumni Association, expanding opportunities beyond the game for players, alumni and fans in Canada and around the world.
Meaningful Partnership
“Access to quality education that is flexible and innovative can create life-changing opportunities for CFLPA members. Our Academy offers a suite of education-based resources that has helped hundreds of CFLPA members—especially during the on-going global pandemic—and Athabasca University, as a respected leader in delivering online university-level education, remains an invaluable partner in helping members achieve their educational goals,” said Brian Ramsay, Executive Director, CFLPA
Beyond the game
The partnership has been able to provide a fantastic opportunity for professional football players like Drew Desjarlais, Ty Cranston, and Bryan Burnham with very hectic schedules to be able to pursue their educational goals while travelling, practicing, and playing in the CFL.
This program provides players with the flexibility to start, continue, or complete their academic careers while managing the demands of a professional football career. AU’s online capabilities allow players to work on their courses at their leisure and own pace, with some players even opting to only take courses during the winter, so they don’t have to worry about studying during the season.
“…one of the first weeks we had the player association meeting, (coach) went through the partnership with Athabasca University, and I perked up,” said Drew Desjarlais. “I wanted to look into it because maybe it would make it easier for me to finish my degree.”
Overcoming barriers
AU’s Manager of Partnerships and Collaborations, Michael Shouldice, said AU maintains partnerships with dozens of outside organizations, and sees the CFLPA partnership as a perfect fit for both organizations.
“We provide a unique opportunity for our learners, with an open and online model that helps people overcome the barriers to success in post-secondary education,” he said. “We’re proud of how this partnership with the CFLPA is helping players to transform their lives.
You can visit the Athabasca University webpage for more information about the programs and courses that can help you to transform your life and your community.
