Rick Haacke of White Bear Lake recently received a prestigious award through the Saskatchewan High School Athletics Association (SHSAA).
The Award of Merit was presented to Haacke for his efforts over the years in high school athletics. As a youth he participated in golf, badminton, baseball, football, and volleyball; it was during this time that he discovered sport offered more to young people than just an activity to participate in. Sport is character building and allows kids to develop lifelong skills.
Haacke graduated in 1973 from Yorkton Regional High School and would go on to earn degrees in Physical Education and Education from the University of Saskatchewan. Out of university he began teaching and coaching in Nokomis – “His commitment as a coach and time spent fundraising for extra-curricular activities changed the culture of the school,” the SHSAA Citation states regarding Haacke’s award. He also began coaching club volleyball, taught community college golf lessons, and played senior hockey.
Haacke took a position as vice-principal in Porcupine Plain where he helped to revive the football program there “to an era in which the team was the NESSAC champ for five straight years,” the SHSAA stated. “[Haacke] remained heavily involved in the school’s athletic programs, coaching basketball, golf, badminton; and also officiating. [Haacke’s] passion for sports was evident in the community as he was on the curling club executive and player-coach of the baseball and basketball teams.”
Haacke and his family then moved to Oxbow in 1988 where he took on the role of principal: “[He] is very proud of the people he brought on board and the impact they had on the school sport culture. The students loved playing for coaches like Pat Jeannot, Bill Hook, Cal Rosenthal, Don Morrison, and Jason Petlak.”
“During his time in Oxbow, Rick had a tremendous impact on the school’s sports programs,” Bill Hook told the SHSAA. “He was an active coach with the golf, curling, and badminton teams. He spent countless hours as a basketball and volleyball official. But, probably his most significant contribution was the way he supported other coaches.”
Haacke then moved to Melville where he continued coaching golf, badminton, junior volleyball, junior basketball, and senior basketball. Throughout the years he has also supported bids to host provincial championship golf, badminton, and curling; while he has also been involved in the organization and planning of the AGM, and has attended as both an observer and voting delegate.
In addition to school sports, Haacke has also been involved in minor hockey programs.
“He made it a priority to support and encourage coaches to do their very best for student athletes to enjoy a successful experience in high school sport,” Court Vaudner, a teacher and coach of 45 years, told SHSAA about Haacke. “Rick is more than deserving of the recognition that comes with receiving an SHSAA Merit Award.”
In Haacke’s own words, “I spent my whole life coaching. This is a very prestigious award in high school athletics and it’s really the culmination of many years of working with kids. Coaching has been a passion of mine; I didn’t mind the administrative roles I’ve held and I really enjoyed teaching Phys. Ed., but coaching was my passion.”
Haacke continues to officiate both basketball and volleyball, and has over 40 years experience in this capacity as well.
