Al Pearson, who organized UND hockey bus trips for 50 years, dies at age 85

Apr. 6—GRAND FORKS — Al Pearson, who organized road trips for UND hockey fans for 50 years, died this week in Grand Forks.

He was 85.

Pearson had battled Parkinson's Disease for 17 years.

"He's iconic," UND coach Brad Berry said. "He left a legacy here. He came before a lot of us even got here as players. Through all those years, he put passion and excitement into our fan base. That's something you don't see every day. Even going through health issues, he was still strong in his belief, conviction and passion. We're grateful to have a guy like that be part of our program. We'll remember him forever."

Ralph Engelstad Arena is planning to put Pearson's iconic cowboy hat in a permanent display case on the concourse.

It will likely sit outside Section 106, where Pearson sat for home games.

"He established the foundation for the phrase, 'always a home game,'" said Jody Hodgson, the general manager of Ralph Engelstad Arena. "I think he deserves the credit for what I think is college hockey's best traveling fan base. I think he's played a pivotal role in everything that's come, including the destination games. The things he's done over the last 50 years have really aided that. His legacy, in my mind, will be the support he showed for the program and the longterm impact he's created following our team here and around the country."

Pearson played a big role in helping develop UND's large traveling fan base through his bus trips.

The first one was in 1973 to the University of Minnesota.

For the next 50 years, he continued to put together trips for UND hockey fans, booking buses, hotel rooms, tickets and any other transportation.

For the last 10 years, as Al's health declined, his daughter Joanna took over the planning.

Over the years, Pearson's buses made trips to places such as Houghton, Mich., Duluth, St. Cloud, Mankato, Bemidji, Omaha, Madison, Wis., Minneapolis, Denver, St. Louis and Columbus, Ohio.

The bus riders had five rules to follow: 1. Represent UND in a positive light; 2. Be respectful and kind; 3. Get to know the people near you; 4. Clean up when you leave the bus; 5. What happens on the bus stays on the bus.

Many riders became regulars.

"He took me on a lot of trips for 20-some years," Jon Rebsch said. "He will be deeply missed. He was really loyal to the university and the UND hockey program."

When UND won the NCAA national championship in 2016, Berry brought the trophy over to Pearson's home when he returned to Grand Forks.

In January, UND held 'Al Pearson Night' during a home game against Minnesota Duluth. Pearson was recognized before the game and UND won 4-2.

"I've gotten to know him a little bit," UND alternate captain Gavin Hain said after the game. "I've been to his house. I've played cribbage with him a few times. Honestly, I was a little emotional. I had some tears in my eyes. I'm kind of getting them now. He's an awesome guy. He's done a lot for this program."

Throughout that game, fans took photos with Pearson — even fans of other teams like rival Minnesota.

"He had relationships with so many people, including fans of other teams," Hodgson said. "His personality was such that he could jab and tease and do all those things, but it never went too far. People were attracted to him and pulled to him because of his personality. He had relationships with people all over the country."

Pearson, a Thunder Bay, Ont., native, moved to Grand Forks in 1961. He attended UND and graduated in 1965.

Pearson started the

Al Pearson and Tom Ronan White Hat Scholarship

Endowment, which supports UND hockey summer programs.

"Al built and added to the tradition," said Coltyn Sanderson, who played on UND's 2016 national title team and now works for the UND Foundation. "He's a huge part of what makes UND hockey special. His legacy will live on."

Pearson's final bus ride was to Omaha in March 2022. UND won the Penrose Cup that weekend on a Tyler Kleven overtime goal.

Despite his health struggles, Pearson still frequently attended UND home games this season.

"I'm not sure there was a greater supporter of UND hockey than Al and we could not be more grateful for all that he did to support the program and UND," athletic director Bill Chaves said. "Our deepest sympathy goes out to the Pearson family."