ABA Announces its First Ever Commissioner

Alberta Basketball Association (ABA) announced Wednesday (Jan. 31) that Thomas Slifka has been installed as its first ever commissioner. 

Helping set a new direction for ABA’s governance model, Slifka will focus on the interpretation and application of discipline policy involving members.  The commissioner’s office will operate at arms length and serve as members’ first point of contact for disputes, complaints, and concerns. 

Slifka becomes the first commissioner in the nearly 50-year history of ABA. The new role was created to maintain confidentiality and assuage concerns of conflict of interest in dealing with discipline files. 

“I am very excited to have someone of Thomas’ experience and reputation for integrity join us in this very important role,” says Dave Drabiuk, Executive Director of ABA. “As the first ABA commissioner he will also help us shape process and policy ideas that he identifies as needing improvement.”  

A graduate of the University of Alberta where he earned a Master of Coaching, Slifka coached the men’s basketball team at Northwestern Polytechnic (NWP) in Grande Prairie for two seasons, winning the ACAC North Division Coach of the Year award in 2016. He later served as NWP’s Athletics Manager, and currently works as a Senior Human Resources Consultant in the public sector. 

“I’m keen to get started in this role, and excited for the opportunity to shape policies that promote fairness, safety, and innovation within basketball in Alberta,” Slifka says. 

As the governing body for the sport of basketball in Alberta, ABA is committed to providing a safe environment and fair competition for all its members. Through sanctioning, ABA provide guidelines and regulations for groups running events, programs and tournaments.