Bud Besse

Builder (1986)

Hockey

While Bud was interested in all sports as a youngster he found his true calling by being an official in hockey and softball. From 1952 to 1980, he played softball then became an umpire, a coach and an executive member for both minor and adult leagues. He began refereeing hockey in 1955 in the minor leagues. In the 1960s and the early 1970s he refereed at many levels, junior, senior, university and semi-pro leagues.

Bud is a charter member of the Saskatchewan Amateur Hockey Association's referee division as well as the Saskatoon Referees Association. In 1971 he was elected referee in chief of the S.A.H.A., a position he held for three years. He served on the hockey committee when Saskatoon hosted the Canada Winter Games in 1971. He has acted as a supervisor of officials for the Western Canada Hockey League and has given much of his time to the Saskatoon Minor Hockey Association. Bud was honoured as the 1985 Kinsmen Sportsman of the Year.

** Deceased