Longtime New Westminster resident Casey Cook was appointed on July 12 as the new Western Lacrosse Association commissioner.
Cook, currently a New Westminster school trustee, is a Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame member after a long and distinguished career as an executive with the New Westminster Salmonbellies.
Cook replaces Ernie Truant, who stepped down as commissioner for personal reasons.
Cook said he's taking the job as WLA commissioner at a vitally important time for the West.
"The WLA had a situation where, because of a health situation, the commissioner had to leave," said Cook. "I agreed to take over for the balance of the season because we are hosting the Mann Cup this year and we need a good job to be done."
Truant was commissioner for three seasons, after having served similar positions with the B.C. Junior A and West Coast Senior B
lacrosse leagues.
The challenges of being a commissioner were always a case of balance, with seven teams bringing their own points of view to the table.
"I enjoyed it, being involved and having been involved with lacrosse for 40 years," said Truant. "Things come up, and one day it looks a little different, so it was time to let someone else do the job."
Cook said one of his major challenges will be to balance his lacrosse work with his duties as a New Westminster school trustee.
"I believe it's something I can do along with my school duties," said Cook. "There's no question I have to balance that."
Cook said that because school is off during the summer, there's a smaller workload as a school trustee.
When asked if his longtime former allegiance to the New Westminster Salmonbellies will be an obstacle to him being an unbiased commissioner, Cook said it won't be a problem.
"Everybody comes from somewhere," said Cook. "Once you wear the hat of league (commissioner), you have to have the mindset of what's best for the league. You have to look at it in the context of doing everything for the benefit of the league."
As for his school board plans, Cook said he hasn't made a final decision on whether to seek re-election in November, but he is leaning toward running again for New Westminster school trustee.
