2019 CCAA Hall of Fame Inductee: Dr. Robert Day
The Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA)
is proud to induct 10 new members into its Hall of Fame.
The 2019 CCAA Hall of Fame Banquet will be hosted by the
Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) on June 11 in Calgary.
Dr. Robert Day, the longtime Executive Director in the ACAC, will be inducted into the CCAA Hall of Fame in the Builder Category. He will be inducted posthumously.
Day was the ACAC’s representative to the CCAA Board of Directors in 2001-02. He served as the Executive Director/General Manager of the ACAC from 2002 until 2013.
“My father was a hard worker from the start and was always passionate about what he was doing in and out of the ACAC,” said Zarley Day. “Both Jamie and I are very proud to know of the legacy my father has created within the ACAC organization and are looking forward to seeing what it has in store for the future.”
Prior to his time with the ACAC, Day was the Athletic Director at The King’s University College. He was instrumental in developing a first-class athletics program and was involved in planning the new campus and athletic facilities.
He was also the driving force behind The King’s entering the ACAC in basketball, volleyball and soccer.
Day volunteered as a member of the ACAC Executive Committee from 1998-2002. He served as Vice President from 2000-02 and President in 2002. Day was a voting delegate at CCAA meetings from 1998-2003 and served on the CCAA Finance Committee from 2009-13.
Along with his administrative endeavors, Day coached both Men’s Basketball and Men’s Hockey at various times throughout his 19 years at The King’s. He was twice recognized as the ACAC Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year (1996, 2001).
Day was inducted into the ACAC Hall of Fame in 2014.
Zarley has fond memories of watching his father in action behind the bench, particularly at the rink.
“I will never forget the amount of college hockey games I was so privileged to attend to see first-hand of what my Dad was responsible for and always talking to the coaches after the game made it clear of how much he cared for the well-being of the CCAA and ACAC,” he said.
“The ACAC and CCAA, from my perspective was the third baby my Dad never had, putting a lot of his time and effort towards making it a great organization.”
ACAC Chief Executive Officer Mark Kosak believes that as a result of Day’s passion for post-secondary sport, he made meaningful contributions to the ACAC and CCAA that have and will continue to positively benefit student-athletes.
“I’m certain I speak for many others within the ACAC as I express admiration for all his contributions,” said Kosak. “Our only regret is that he isn’t with us to appreciate this honor and the respect of his peers.”
