York Lions football team receives $1.25 million gift from former Toronto Argonauts owner

Credit: York University/York Lions

The York Lions have received a massive donation from one of their most recognizable alumni.

The school announced on Friday that the David and Stacey Cynamon Family Foundation has provided a gift of $1.25 million to the football team, which will provide direct support for athlete wellness and competitive performance for the next five years. It marks the single largest gift ever received by the York University Athletics and Recreation department.

“David Cynamon’s investment in York Lions Football is a tremendous show of confidence in our student-athletes and the future of our program,” head coach Dexter Janke said in a statement. “His generosity will allow us to enhance the student-athlete experience and create more opportunities for our players to reach their potential, both on and off the field. I’m personally grateful to David for believing in our vision and helping us build a stronger foundation for the next generation of Lions.”

David Cynamon played receiver at York University from 1983 to 1986 under storied head coach Frank Cosentino. The native of Edmonton, Alta., went on to have a successful career in business and, in November 2003, purchased the Toronto Argonauts in partnership with Howard Sokolowski. He owned the franchise for six years, winning the Grey Cup in 2004, before selling to David Braley. He currently serves as executive chairman of K2 Pure Solutions.

“As a York alumnus and former Yeoman, David Cynamon knows better than anyone what it takes to succeed as a student-athlete. With this transformative gift, we will undoubtedly enhance the physical, mental and educational well-being of hundreds of students for years to come, and provide a competitive advantage to the program,” interim president and vice-chancellor of York University Lisa Philipps said as part of the announcement. “This marks a historic milestone as the single largest gift ever received by York Athletics & Recreation, and it is only fitting that it comes from someone so passionate about Canadian football and the health and wellness of our student-athletes.”

David and Stacey performed the ceremonial coin toss for York’s final regular-season game on Saturday, a 26-25 loss to Waterloo. The result eliminated the team from postseason contention; however, their 3-5 record still marked the program’s best finish since 2018.

“York University and its football program are a significant piece of what helped set me on my path in life,” Cynamon said. “I clearly remember the struggles many of us had balancing sport and our education, and I hope that with this commitment to the program, some of those barriers may be reduced or eliminated. I’m proud to call myself a York Yeomen/Lion, and even prouder to directly support and impact the program’s student-athletes.”

York went 0-8 in 2023, losing their games by a combined score of 560-42. The Lions hired Janke, a former CFL defensive back, as their head coach the next year following his successful stint with the Westshore Rebels of the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL).

The program has gone 7- 20 combined since then, showing gradual growth each season. A donation of this magnitude should only push them further along.