CHAMPIONS SPEAK  -  2025 Hall of Fame Inductee Don Buskas - Builder

Introduction of Dan Buskas 2025

by ​ Gregg Zilkie

Good evening, 

My name is Gregg Zilkie and this is my third year that I have provided a speech for the sports hall of fame. In my first two years of introductions I introduced two of the most scrutinized positions in sports and tonight I add a third to the list. In my first year I introduced a goaltender. How often do we hear... "If he would have just saved that shot, we would have won". But if the goalie is playing well and a team still loses than it must be the coaches fault right?! That was my second introduction. Well if the goalie is playing well and the coach has done all he can do and we still lose? Then it must be the referees fault and that is who I am here to introduce tonight.  

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great honor to stand before you tonight to recognize a man whose dedication, integrity, and passion for sports officiating have made an lasting impact. We are here to celebrate the incredible career of Don Buskas, a distinguished referee and umpire, whose steady hand and unwavering commitment to fairness have helped shape both hockey and baseball in our community and beyond. 

Officiating is a role that demands confidence, knowledge, and the ability to make split-second decisions under pressure. A great official isn't just someone who knows the rulebook inside and out-they are someone who commands respect, upholds the integrity of the game, and ensures fair play at every level. Don Buskas has exemplified these qualities throughout his remarkable career, whether he was on the ice with a whistle in hand or behind the plate calling balls and strikes. 

For over three decades, Don has dedicated himself to officiating both hockey and baseball at local, provincial, and national levels. From 1992 to 2025, he served as a hockey referee, moving up the ranks to officiate at Junior and Senior levels. As Referee-in-Chief for Wetaskiwin Minor Hockey from 1997 to 2010, he played a vital role in developing young officials and elevating the standards of refereeing in the region. His commitment and leadership earned him multiple honors from Hockey Alberta, including the Duncan MacDougall Award, the Chairman's Award, and the Ron Panchyshyn Award for his work in referee development. 

Equally impressive is Don's impact on baseball. Since 1993, he has been a dedicated umpire, working games at every level from grassroots baseball to national championships. His expertise and leadership earned him the prestigious Umpire of the Year award from Alberta Baseball in 2001 and the role of Umpire-in-Chief for Baseball Alberta in 2003. In 2022, his remarkable contributions to the sport were recognized with his induction into the Alberta Baseball Hall of Fame. 

Don's career in baseball officiating is filled with notable achievements. He has umpired at 11 Baseball Canada National Championships, including events across the country, as well as at the Canada Winter Games and Baseball Canada Cup. His resume also includes nine Western Canadian Championships, countless Baseball Alberta Provincial Championships, and officiating in professional baseball leagues, including the Golden Baseball League and the North American Baseball League. One of the highlights of his career came in 2018, when he had the honor of umpiring the only perfect game in Western Major Baseball League history. 

Beyond his time on the ice and the field, Don has made a profound impact through his mentorship and dedication to developing the next generation of officials. Whether training referees in hockey or teaching young umpires in baseball, he has always set high standards and instilled a deep respect for the game. He has traveled extensively across Alberta, instructing clinics, supervising officials, and ensuring that the next wave of referees and umpires are prepared to uphold the integrity of the sport. His leadership has shaped countless officials who have gone on to officiate at higher levels. 

Don Buskas is more than just a great official—he is a leader, a mentor, and a role model. Those who have worked with him will tell you that his influence extends far beyond the games he officiated. His humility, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to sport have left a lasting legacy in both hockey and baseball. 

Today we recognize not only his incredible accomplishyments but also the impact he has had on the athletes, coaches and officials who have had the privilege of working with him.  It is with immense pride that we welcome Don Buskas into the Wetaskiwin & County Sports Hall of Fame, an honor that is not only well-earned but long overdue. 

Ladies and gentleman, please join me in congratulating Don Buskas.