Al Ferchuk arrived in Red Deer in 1973 with the idea of staying for two years.
Fifty-one years later he’s still around.
Al came to Red Deer College as the Kings hockey head coach and to teach sports science.
He fell in love with RDC, the ACAC and the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association.
He was involved at all levels of the athletic department, including Athletic Director, and worked at all levels of the ACAC executive, including president. He also spent 13 years on the CCAA executive, including six as president, the longest term of any president.
He played a big role in helping the CCAA get through a financial crisis when funding was pulled. He helped bring the CCAA together from east to west.
Al retired several years ago but was never that far away, so when ACAC Chief Executive Officer Mark Kosak contacted him about being the interim commissioner, he jumped at the chance.
“You get to the stage of your life, even when you’re retired, you reconnect to those parts of your job you found enjoyable,” he said.
Ferchuk takes over from Bill Hendsbee, who held the position for 15 or 16 years.
“Bill was a lawyer in Edmonton and did it in his extra time. He did an incredible job of enforcing the guidelines and the operating code,” said Ferchuk. “But he was named as a judge and no longer had the time.”
Ferchuk’s position is to oversee and ensure the league operates at a high level, according to its operating code and bylaws.
Al feels that he has the knowledge and background to fill the position.
“They wanted someone who knows the operating code and I’m someone who operated in all executive positions and understands the role of commissioner.
“And it was gratifying that they had enough respect to say ‘Al can you come back and help us out’.
“I’m not sure what will happen with the interim, but it’s an opportunity to help out with what I consider to be one of the best conferences in Canada at the post-secondary level, college or university.”
He did have to laugh when talking about the operating code.
“I’m not sure I know it that well, as it went from 55 pages to 300,” he said.
Ferchuk will be there to “reinforce the rules of the game for all sports.
“I’ve always been impressed with the quality of our officials, but there are times when they need a second set of eyes on calls,” he said. “There are two main things that I believe are my main outlook.
“One. The quality of our game for student-athletes and the safety of the game for the student-athletes. Two. Have people in administration positions to conduct their business in a responsible, legal and proper way.”
Al believes he has to be available to do his job seven days a week.
“If an athlete has a suspension pending and they play two games on a weekend the athlete, and coaches have to know on the Tuesday or Wednesday what’s the verdict so they can plan accordingly.”
Al has made several decisions on suspensions so far and expects more as the leagues head into the second half of the season and get near the playoffs.
“That’s where we need timely decisions,” he said.
Some of those decisions were made while he was in Arizona for six weeks in the fall.
“Because of technology, I’m able to stay on top of it. I continue to follow the games on television and it’s important to be able to do this. Everything is also videotaped, so if there is something I have to see, it’s there. The situations I’ve been involved with has worked out well.”
He also works hand-in-hand with the ACAC staff.
“They’re good and I have a high level of confidence in them,” he said. “When we have to talk they help me get the full picture.”
As for next year, Al isn’t sure what will happen.
He has the support of his wife, Barbara, if he continues on with the position.
‘It’s a time they’ll see if they need a commissioner or if they use the executive decision-making on these violations. That will be reviewed. I can’t predict the outcome.”
But Ferchuk knows the position is important in running the conference.
“The experience I had when I was a coach, or president it was always good to have someone available who is somewhat at arms length to make these decisions,” he concluded.
Danny Rode is a retired Advocate reporter and member of the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame who can be reached at danrode@shaw.ca
