The Possibilities of Change

WHEN MATT DEIBERT ENTERED the Bachelor of Physical Education program at RDC in 1985, his plans were specific. “I was working toward an athletic physiotherapy degree, which I planned to complete at the University of Oregon and then I was going to go work for the Denver Broncos. That was my whole focus in high school.” It was in his first year at RDC that one of his Kinesiology instructors, Pat Rawlusyk, suggested he start working with the Kings Hockey team under Head Coach Al Ferchuk. He took a training position, and stayed on for two years with Ferchuk and another two with Head Coach Mike Babcock.

Deibert balanced this opportunity with his other responsibilities, including a part-time job and new marriage, by reducing his courseload. Though he still planned to finish school, when Deibert received an offer to manage a local retail store, he saw the promise of a full-time position on a career track as the right choice for his new family. “I thought: ‘this is a change point. I can continue on the one path, or I can take this opportunity.’ It made a lot of great sense for our life to take that opportunity,” he recalls.

That mentality has served him well, as Deibert has been part of some exciting projects and developments throughout his management career. When he joined the Athletics Scholarship Breakfast Committee more than 10 years ago, he embraced another engaging opportunity and a new way to stay connected with RDC.

The RDC Kings & Queens Athletics Scholarship Breakfast raises money for the Athletics Leadership Fund (ALF), which supports

the sustainability of our College’s Athletic scholarships program and offsets participation costs for student-athletes, allowing them to focus on their studies, sport and serviceto the community. Student-athletes also help to produce the event in a variety of ways, from serving on the committee to serving tables at the breakfast. This event gives these learners the opportunity to thank supporters in a tangible way.

In his time on the committee, Deibert has seen the Breakfast grow from a small, conference-style event in the Arts Centre to a major fundraising event, a shift that he connects directly to organizers seizing an opportunity in 2010.

That year, Mike Babcock came through Red Deer, and a series of conversations between old colleagues, including Deibert and his former Head Coach, led to securing the Olympic coach for the 2010 Breakfast, fresh off Team Canada’s gold medal win. “As a former teacher, a coach and now at the highest stage of his career, he was willing to come and share his experience and successes at RDC, and that was huge,” remembers Deibert. Walter Gretzky also sat in the audience that morning, the guest of another attendee. From there, the idea to reach out to Wayne Gretzky was born. “We had learned that we could draw people in with the right speaker, and we began to dream bigger,” he says.

Gretzky signed on for the 10th annual breakfast in 2013, followed by three Calgary Flames – Lanny McDonald, Tim Hunter and Jim Peplinski – who appeared together in 2014. “The Flames were available to sign some pictures and spend a few minutes with some of the people who had helped make the event happen, and people really loved the opportunity to interact. We started to look at speakers who could make an impact in that way.”

That increase in vision is one of the important things Deibert brings to the Breakfast Committee, and it comes from what he has learned through his work experience. “I love what I do, and I put 100% into my day but, at the same time, I always know that my life could change again in a heartbeat. It’s about continuing to pay attention to the opportunities and being open. That’s how we continue to make the Breakfast engaging year after year.”

“The Breakfast matters to me because of what Red Deer College did for me. I didn’t get a degree, but I know that where I’m at in my life is because of my foundation at RDC and the opportunity I got at Red Deer College. I got it from great people who were passionate and who believed in what they were doing,” he says. Now, in his 50s, Deibert is considering a return to RDC to complete a degree. “I don’t regret the choices I made at the time, but I think I might like to go back and finish out through the business track,” he says. “I still believe in the value of what I learned and what I took, but I also believe in the value of taking chances and seizing the opportunities that presented themselves.”

Check out rdc.ab.ca/notebook/deibert to read more about Matt Deibert’s career and to see highlights from the 2019 RDC Kings & Queens Scholarship Breakfast, featuring Olympic curler, Cheryl Bernard.