Woods College expands degree-completion agreements
and the Canadian Football League Players' Association
The Woods College of Advancing Studies has expanded its outreach into professional sports by signing agreements with the National Hockey League (NHL), NHL Alumni Association, Pro Hockey Players’ Association, and the Canadian Football League Players’ Association (CFLPA) that will enable individuals from their respective organizations to earn their college degrees at Boston College.
The agreements follow a successful arrangement established earlier this year with the NHL Players’ Association and the Major League Baseball Alumni Association, which enables current and former association members to start or complete their education at BC. The agreements were facilitated by Mike Heaney, the director of corporate engagement at the Woods College, on behalf of Dean David Goodman.
Woods College Dean David Goodman (Lee Pellegrini)
Goodman said that Woods’ wide array of degree options, including in-person, online, and hybrid courses, and its years of experience in helping former professional athletes complete their degrees, makes the Woods College uniquely prepared to partner with these leagues and associations in offering this resource to its members.
“The Woods College is an international leader in college degree completion,” said Goodman. “We have a proven track record of building successful relationships with professional athletes over the years that has enabled us to sign new agreements with these professional sports organizations.”
Michael Heaney (Lee Pellegrini)
Heaney said he was pleased that the CFLPA signed on with the Woods College—joining the three hockey associations, Major League Baseball Players Union, and the NHLPA—given the connection that Boston College shares with the Canadian Football League through Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie ’85, widely considered to have been the league’s greatest player.
“We are excited to have these respected entities join the Woods College family in helping their members to earn college degrees,” said Heaney. “It is a win-win for all involved and an invaluable asset for former players and current staff to expand their career opportunities.”
CFLPA Executive Director David Mackie praised the agreement as a way of helping players to prepare for their post-professional careers.
“Education is a priority for preparing players for life beyond football,” said Mackie. “The Woods College offers flexible, high-quality programs that align with our members’ needs and goals. This partnership showcases our ongoing commitment to supporting CFLPA members both on and off the field.”
The National Hockey League, one of the four major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada, is considered the premier professional ice hockey league in the world. It consists of 32 teams—25 in the United States and seven in Canada—and 736 players.
The NHL Alumni Association represents all retired NHL players who are 5-plus years post-retirement, and their families. The association focuses primarily on wellness and transition programs and benefits for the NHL alumni family.
The Pro Hockey Players Association represents the interests of ice hockey players in the American Hockey League and ECHL, the two largest minor leagues in North American professional ice hockey. The association consists of 1,800 members across 60 North American teams.
The Canadian Football League Players’ Association represents the professional football players in the CFL and its alumni with the objective of providing fair working conditions and benefits for its members.
The Woods College of Advancing Studies at Boston College provides flexible, academically rigorous, ethics-focused undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs for non-traditional students. In keeping with the Jesuit educational tradition of Boston College, the Woods College seeks to prepare students for citizenship, service, and leadership in a global society. The school offers 96 online courses in support of eight undergraduate majors and has an active alumni network of 8,000 graduates.