The Canadian Association of School Administrators (CASA) recognized Whistler’s Doug Player last week.

The organization gave Player an honourary lifetime membership in recognition of his work and specifically his term as president of the group from 2000 to 2001.

“Doug took over the helm, only to find it within days of bankruptcy,” said CASA executive director Frank Kelly. “Within 48 hours, Doug had developed a restructuring plan, replaced the executive director and talked every provincial affiliate into supporting the new direction.”

The association gave the national award to Player at its national conference held in Whistler last week.

He said the recognition of his work is an honour and a surprise as he has been retired for 10 years.

“They were not easy times for CASA,” he said about his time as president. “But to see how the organization was now thriving and providing a strong national voice for Canadian educational leaders made all the hard work worth it.

“All those that followed me in leading this exceptional organization also deserve the credit for making CASA what it is today.”