Oldest Huskie alumnus passes away

SASKATOON, Sask. - On September 5, 2008 the Vancouver media announced the passing of Bernie Isman at age 101. His longevity notwithstanding, this man who was small in physical stature had a significant impact.

The Vancouver Board of Trade home page noted: "Bernie had a prolific career, dating from his graduation from law school at University of Saskatchewan in 1928. He was a World War II veteran, a proud lawyer of 61 years, including time spent as a British Columbia Provincial Court judge, and a member of the Vancouver Board of Trade."

The Vancouver Canadians Baseball team home page cited Bernie Isman as "an avid sports fan dating back to his playing hockey at University of Saskatchewan. Although he often downplayed it, he enjoyed his notoriety as Canada's (unofficial) oldest living collegiate hockey player. He was a regular attendee and fan club member for the Vancouver Capilanos, Mounties, and Canadians, and enjoyed attending games into his 100th year."

When University of Saskatchewan hosted University Cup national men's hockey championships in 1998, 1999, and 2000 Isman was front and centre at the games. A diminutive figure who donned a Huskies "letter" sweater, he was an inspirational presence at every game.

He was, indeed, the oldest living Huskie hockey alumnus when he passed away, yet he almost did not have the opportunity to play for the Green and White.

In an interview with Bill Seymour which was published in Dogs on Ice: A History of Hockey at University of Saskatchewan,Isman related how he did not make the Varsity team in 1925 or at the beginning of the 1926 season. However, as the 1926-27 season progressed, he finally received an invitation from coach Reg Brehaut to play for the "big club."

"I played inter-faculty hockey for the College of Law and was captain until the last game of the Varsity season when Brehaut asked me to play." In what was the Halpenny Cup title match for supremacy in Western Canadian university hockey, the team took the train to Winnipeg for a showdown with University of Manitoba. Included in the contingent was a rookie who had no interuniversity playing experience.

In the Green and White lifetime statistics, the name Isman is recorded for having played one game of inter-varsity hockey, and having scored one goal! "I scored the only goal against a really good University of Manitoba team," he recalled in 2005, unhappily the final score was a one-sided 14-1 thrashing by Manitoba as Isman made his debut.

Like so many student-athletes, the late Vancouver resident went on from graduation to a successful career and contributed to his community in a variety of ways. For University of Saskatchewan, the passing of Bernie Isman is the passing of a significant alumnus and a unique part of the University's history.

Source:

Nicole Betker, B.Journ.
Nee: Nicole Josin
Sports Information Director
Huskie Athletics
University of Saskatchewan