Alan Rogan officially stepped down as President of the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) as its annual general meeting came to a close this week. Rogan, who has been a fixture at the CCAA table for 12 years, has undoubtably left his mark.
Through all the ups and downs, the Lakeland College Athletic Director has proven to be an outstanding asset to the CCAA. Rogan is the epitome of calm reasoning and intelligent thought.
“Alan is one of the most down to earth people whom I’ve met, and he genuinely cares about the student-athlete, the student-athlete experience and how the CCAA provides it,” said Vince Amato, who has worked alongside Rogan on the CCAA Executive for seven seasons and will succeed him as CCAA President. “He’s an expert in his field, a true professional, and someone whom I’m proud to call a friend.”
Rogan served as a Director at the CCAA table from 2008-13 and joined the CCAA Executive in 2013. After an impressive five-year run as VP Eligibility, he became the Association’s 13th President in 2018.
While the nuances of eligibility rules are not for everyone, Rogan is one of a special few who understands the detailed ramifications of the specific wording that make up eligibility rules and their specific jurisdiction of application, according to Sandra Murray-MacDonell, the CCAA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
One of the highlights of Rogan’s tenure as CCAA President was the addition of a sixth conference, the Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference (MCAC). His role was vital in the vetting of potential MCAC members as well as the development of probationary criteria. Rogan’s experience in the overall process from a conference perspective was crucial for the application at the national level.
Most recently, Rogan has guided the CCAA through unfamiliar territory with the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Alan has been a proactive leader in the management of the CCAA as it navigates its way through uncharted times with the development of contingency plans, while being transparent throughout the process,” said Murray-MacDonell.
Rogan empowers and enables those around him as opposed to ruling over. He allows for productive debate which leads to mutually agreed upon directions and solutions.
“The CCAA is a complex organization that requires the respectful consideration of diverse opinions and interests from stakeholders across the country,” said Mark Kosak, CEO of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC). “Alan was a CCAA leader who led by his example about how we need to rationally consider all opinions and angles before we settle on a resolution.”
Rogan will undeniably be remembered as someone who tackled issues in a calm and analytical manner. He always made deliberate and well-reasoned decisions, especially when there were tougher ones to make.
“Alan also has the great ability to bring people together and work in a conciliatory fashion, said Amato. “Being able to steer a group as diverse as the CCAA is no easy task, and yet Alan did it with ease.”
EDITOR'S NOTE: Rogan has agreed to stay on the CCAA Executive for the upcoming season as VP Governance.
