Raymond "Bud" Steen
Football Builder- Edmonton
Class of 2026
Raymond “Bud” Steen is one of Alberta’s most respected and influential football officials, with over four decades of impact on the sport as an official, leader, mentor, and builder.
As an on-field official, Bud achieved excellence at every level of the game. He officiated 510 Canadian Football League (CFL) games between 1981 and 2010, including 32 playoff games and seven Grey Cups. His distinguished career culminated in serving as Head Referee of the 2010 Grey Cup in Edmonton. He also officiated hundreds of games at the amateur, junior, and university levels, helping elevate standards across Alberta and Canada.
Beyond his on-field accomplishments, Bud made a transformative impact on football officiating in Canada. In 1996, he founded the Canadian Professional Football Officials Association (CPFOA) and served as its first President for 12 years. Under his leadership, the CPFOA secured insurance protection for injured officials, negotiated the first employment agreement with the CFL in 2005, and improved pay, benefits, and working conditions. His work was widely regarded as a “game changer” for professional officiating in Canada.
Bud has remained deeply committed to mentorship and development. After retiring from on-field officiating in 2010, he continued as a Game Supervisor and Evaluator, helping guide and assess officials at all levels. He has mentored countless amateur and professional officials, established junior officials programming in partnership with the Capital District Minor Football Association, and served as Rules Coach for the Edmonton Elks — the first such position in professional football in North America. He has also educated fans through media appearances and community outreach.
Outside football, Bud enjoyed a distinguished legal career in Edmonton and has been an active community leader. He served as Chair of CKUA Radio’s Board of Directors and helped raise over $15 million in support of the organization. His professional and community contributions were recognized with a University of Alberta Alumni Honors Award in 2016.
Raymond “Bud” Steen’s legacy extends far beyond the field. He is widely regarded as a trusted leader, respected mentor, and tireless advocate for the growth of football officiating. His influence has shaped generations of officials and strengthened the sport across Alberta and Canada.
