Dale Schulha
Multisport Builder- Edmonton
Class of 2026
Dale Schulha is one of Alberta’s most respected sport leaders, dedicating more than 50 years to building and supporting sport in Alberta and across Canada. Throughout his life, he has made a strong impact as an athlete, coach, administrator, and leader.
Dale grew up in Edmonton and attended the University of Alberta, where he earned his Bachelor of Physical Education and Master of Science degrees. As a football player with the University of Alberta Golden Bears from 1968 to 1972, he was a team captain in 1971 and 1972 and helped lead the team to a national championship in 1972. He received several awards for his leadership and athletic excellence, including the Block “A” Ring Award.
After his playing career, Dale moved into coaching. He coached football and basketball at the high school, junior, and college levels in Edmonton and Medicine Hat. He founded the Medicine Hat Rattlers Junior Football Club, and was the team’s first Head Coach, giving young athletes more opportunities to compete.
In the early 1980s, Dale began working in sport administration. He played an important role in organizing the 1983 Summer World University Games in Edmonton. He later became the first General Manager of the Lindsay Park Sports Centre in Calgary. In 1985, he joined the University of Alberta’s Department of Athletics.
Over the years, Dale held several senior leadership roles at the University of Alberta, including Chair of the Department of Athletics & Recreation and later as Director of Athletics. He oversaw varsity teams, coaches, staff, budgets, marketing, and fundraising programs. He also helped raise funds for major facilities, including Foote Field (a multisport competition and training facility on the University of Alberta South Campus), and supported Edmonton’s hosting of the 2001 World Championships in Athletics.
Dale also served in national and international roles. He was General Manager of Canada’s university hockey team at the 1987 Winter Universiade in Czechoslovakia and was named Chef de Mission for Team Canada at the 1991 Winter Universiade in Japan. He later worked on international bid committees for major sporting events.
His contributions to university sport were recognized with major awards, including the Canada West Universities Athletic Association Award (2011) and the CIS/U SPORTS Austin Matthews Award (2014). In 2015, he was inducted into the University of Alberta Sports Wall of Fame as a Builder.
Even after retirement, Dale continued to serve sport as Chair of the University of Alberta Sports Wall of Fame Selection Committee.
Dale Schulha’s legacy is built on leadership, dedication, and a lifelong commitment to helping athletes and sport programs succeed. His induction into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame honours more than five decades of outstanding service to sport.
