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- EXPIRED -

The BCFC loses a friend

By Paul Shortt, 11/24/16, 7:45AM PST

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The world of Canadian Football and in particular the BCFC, lost one of the great ones with the passing of Don Barker.

Don began his CFL officiating career in 1960 and over the next 21 years officiated in 390 regular season and playoff games. He had the honour of being an official in 10 Grey Cup games. When he stepped away from the field in 1981, Don got involved at the CFL level as Officiating Supervisor from 1982-1985 and in 1985 was named Director of Officiating, a position he held until his retirement in 1998. Along with his title of Director of Officiating, he was also a member of the CFL Rules Committee and was credited with developing the mechanics for seven man officiating crews.

A huge honour was bestowed upon Don In 1999 when he was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in the Builders category.

The same year, Don joined the BCFC as a director. Over the next ten years Don also held the positions of Vice President and Game Commissioner of the BCFC. Don was instrumental in helping to develop a good working arrangement with the British Columbia Football Officials Association.

During Don’s years with the BCFC he had no axes to grind and looked at the development of the league as a priority. Don understood many aspects of the game and used his expertise to work for improvements in the BCFC.

In 2010, Don was named a Life Member of the BCFC and in 2015 was inducted into the British Columbia Football Hall of Fame in the Builders category.

Don continued to serve on the BCFC Rules and Discipline Committee.

Don was one of the true gentlemen of the game and his knowledge and calm approach will be missed.