John Buchanan arrived at Simon Fraser University in 1966 and never 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 and in feisty fashion. In the semifinal, the Clan defeated Quincy College of Illinois 2-1 in a game that lasted 243 minutes. Then less than 36 hours later, they got an early goal from Ken Whitehead and then held on for a 1-0 win over Rockhurst College in the final to capture the collegiate crown in a game at the legendary 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. The team came in second in the 1999 NAIA Nationals and was fourth in the 2015 NCAA Div. II championship. 

Buchanan was inducted as a charter member of the SFU Athletic Hall of Fame and in recognition of his 50 years of service to the school, SFU established The John Buchanan Endowment for Golf. 

He was inducted to the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame in 2006.

Buchanan, who was inducted into the Burnaby Sports Hall of Fame as both a builder and a coach, passed away in January 2017. He was 77.