Hockey Canada chairman Joe Drago was honoured Saturday by his alma mater, receiving an honorary doctor of science degree from Clarkson University during the school’s commencement ceremony.

The degree was awarded to Drago for “his dedication to academics and student achievement; for his commitment to sports and teamwork as a path to betterment; for his steadfast support of the arts and cultural outreach to build community; for his devotion to improving health care; for his leadership and for inspiring collaboration among future leaders; and for his service to the people of his community, his province and his nation.”

“I love Clarkson,” said Drago in addressing the graduates. “I love the hockey program here. And I love everything about what this school has done for me. It has given me an opportunity to have an education and to have a lot of respect in my community and to be someone that I would never have been if I didn't get an opportunity to come here as a student. I feel very loyal and devoted to this institution and will do everything in my power to bring more students here and to flog our reputation right across Canada. A good number of athletes have come here from my city and have been staunch performers both in the classroom and on the ice. And we're all so proud to say we came from Clarkson.”

In closing, Drago quoted Mark Twain, saying, “And to the graduates, I say this to you: Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the things you did. Throw away the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbour, catch the trade winds in your sails, explore, dream, and discover. Go, Knights, go!”

A Sudbury, Ont., native, Drago played with the men’s hockey team at Clarkson in the early 1960s, helping the Golden Knights reach a pair of NCAA tournaments.

He was elected chairman of the Hockey Canada Board of Directors last December, and has spent more than 40 years involved in every level of the game. Drago will be honoured next on May 23, when he receives Life Membership from the Ontario Hockey Federation, where he served as president from 2005-11.