John Buchanan arrived at Simon Fraser University in 1966 and hasn’t left. Along with being a facilities manager, Buchanan founded the school’s soccer program which gained varsity status in 1975. Under his leadership, SFU won seven consecutive regional NAIA championships, and the overall NAIA/NCAA championship in 1976.
The latter came in the team’s second year of existence. The Clan defeated Quincy College of Illinois 2-1 in the final at the infamous Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. Outside of SFU, Buchanan was an assistant coach for the Vancouver Whitecaps in 1974 and ’75, and was an assistant for Canada at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, the 1986 World Cup and the World University Games.
Not satisfied with his soccer squad’s success on the pitch he turned to grass fields of another sort starting SFU’s golf program which he coached to 11 West Coast Regionals.
