Ivan Yurgan has been a fixture on the sidelines at Burlington’s Assumption high school for decades.

The 60-year-old football coach has helped mold his players into successful adults, by being a mentor and father figure. So much so, that many of his former players still keep in touch, invite him to their weddings, and even come back to coach with him.

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Yurgan has been teaching and coaching football for over thirty years.

“It was my background, I played at McMaster in the mid ’80s under Bernie Custis. He was a big inspiration to me. The way he played, and coached, the kind of man he was.”

Yurgan took those lessons with him to Assumption high school where he’s led the Crusaders for decades.

“I think empathy and understanding my players, understanding there’s good times and bad times. I look at my players as more like sons to me before football players.”

And his players, both past and present, feel the same way.

“Yurgan coached me from grade 9 to 12. I see him as a second father to me. He was there for me and took me under his wing,” Jarod McCrory said.

McCrory came back to Assumption to join coach Yurgan’s staff after he finished university.

“If you look back now, he’s my football coach but it’s the life lessons. Work hard, he taught you more about life, family…”

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The wall of honour at Assumption is packed with former players who have even invited coach Yurgan to their weddings and family gatherings.

While he may be retiring from teaching, coach Yurgan will remain on the sidelines at Assumption, continuing to shape young players into good people.

“It means the world to me, and that’s what I want to foster, teach them to build relationships because I have to show them they’re important to me in all aspects of life, not just in football season.”