With an impressive lacrosse
and business pedigree, Paul Dal Monte has had his name surface whenever a Western Lacrosse Association team’s coaching or general managing position opened up.
Due to a busy schedule, the Burnaby native always gratefully declined all offers.
But the WLA finally found something that fit.
Dal Monte was announced Monday as the league’s new commissioner, who will take over from Ernie Truant as the person working with the governors to manage
the seven-team circuit, handle player discipline, and help expand its brand.
It’s a challenge the soon-to-be 58 year old was eager to take on.
“One of the reasons I think I was approached, and threw my hat into the ring, is that the sport is something I have been involved with since I was eight years old,” said Dal Monte. “Over the many years I developed and continue to enjoy many friendships and connections with people in the game.
“I think those personal connec-tions will make the job enjoyable.”
His involvement as a player – both as a junior with the Burnaby Cablevision and with the New Westminster senior Salmonbellies – was loaded with highlights, including three Minto crowns and three Mann Cup titles. He later co-coached the Burnaby junior Lakers alongside David Lough for eight seasons, each time advancing to the Minto Cup championships, winning in 1998, 2000 and 2003.
He moved on to head coach and serve as director of operations for the Vancouver Ravens during its three years in the National
Lacrosse League. In recent years he’s offered coaching training sessions around the province for B.C. Lacrosse.
Outside of lacrosse, Dal Monte spent 15 years as an executive in the Vancouver Canucks marketing department and more recently as a consultant for the Ottawa Senators, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Abbotsford Heat and Langley Events Centre.
He is currently employed by Telus in the field of strategic initiatives.
That extensive resume was an immediate ‘must-read’ for the WLA governors, who in the past have had trouble finding common ground on items big and small. The vote to hire Dal Monte ended up 7-0, said New West Salmonbellies president/ general manager and WLA chair Dan Richardson.
“We wanted to go in a little different direction and branch out in areas where we’ve been lacking,” said Richardson. “I think one of the problems we have is putting bums in the seats, despite having a great product with world-class and many pro players… We’ve got to re-connect with the lacrosse fan base and get the casual fan back into our arenas.”
Richardson also noted Dal Monte’s experience will be utilized in searching for some league-wide sponsorship opportunities, while enhancing the WLA’s profile with the local media.
“I think one of the reasons my candidacy was considered was that I spent a good portion of my professional (work) life in sports and the sports business,” said Dal Monte. “Sports has always been a passion of mine and it’s great to leverage that with this position.”
He said that the main task will be to listen and work with the league governors to ensure the operating policy is followed, and he said the next few weeks he’ll be meeting and talking with the teams to see what their priorities are in building the WLA brand.
“I see this as a great opportunity, and a logical transition, for me to give back to the game,” Dal Monte added. “I personally know about half the governors and half the general managers so I’m looking forward to listen and learn.”
While he may have grown up in Burnaby and wore a New West crest during a 12-year playing
career, Dal Monte said he has no bias when it comes to the job.
“I’m like Switzerland, I will be neutral. While I played all my
junior and coached in Burnaby and played senior in New West, the only logo I’ll wear is that of the WLA. I want to make sure we grow and develop the league and build the game together.”
