- About / Our Story
On July 20, 2021, time stood still.
Trigger Warning
This is a true story involving suicide and mental health. It reflects the loss that sparked Connect Sport’s creation—and the purpose that continues to guide it today. If you’re in a tender place, please take care as you read on.
- Why it matters
From Heartbreak to Hope
At just 29 years old, Chad Crawford—a gifted athlete, mentor, coach, and loyal friend—died by suicide.
Chad wasn’t just someone who played the game—he showed up for it. He inspired young athletes, led with heart, and lived the words, “I got you.” His death shook a tight-knit community and left a hole in many lives—including that of Chris Romanchuk, now CEO of Connect Sport.
In the wake of unimaginable grief, Chris began to reflect—not just on Chad’s life, but on the silent battles athletes and coaches face every day. Behind the locker room doors and bright arena lights, mental health struggles were far too common, and far too invisible.
That reflection became a mission. That mission became Connect Sport.
Chris didn’t want to just mourn Chad. He wanted to honor him. To carry forward his legacy through the thing they both loved most: sport. Not just as competition, but as connection. As a training ground not only for the body, but for the mind.
“I need to make a difference to honor my boy,” Chris said.
And so he did.
He picked up the phone.
First to Coralee Hohne, a counselor, athlete, and mom. Then to Ryan Giles, a hockey dad who’d seen the pressure firsthand. Next, Stephen Smith, Joanne Weninger, Jesse Hale, and Andrew Baxter—each bringing their own experiences, losses, and passion to the table.
What started with grief became a groundswell of action.
By March 2022, Connect Sport launched its first mental health literacy programs, designed to educate and empower coaches and parents. Not with vague slogans, but with practical, research-backed tools to support the well-being of young athletes.
The pilot was small—but mighty.
With just a team of four (and the support of an IT company), Connect Sport reached:
- 371 coaches and bench staff
- 973 parents
The results? Transformative. So much so, they laid the foundation for a scientific paper validating the evidence-based impact of the program.
Today, Connect Sport has trained:
- 1500+ coaches
- 1700+ parents
…across hockey, gymnastics, softball, baseball, football, and more.
What began on the ice has become a national movement—touching lives across Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and British Columbia.
Every workshop, every conversation, every coach who now knows how to say “I see you” instead of “suck it up” is a tribute to Chad—and a commitment to every athlete who needs to hear, “You’re not alone.”
Support Starts With You
We know talking about mental health isn’t always easy, especially if you’re unsure where to begin. Our course offers simple tools and guidance to help coaches, parents, and athletes feel more confident asking for help and supporting others.
- Parent & coach feedback
What People Think About Us
Testimonials from coaches, organizations and parents about Connect Sport and what we do.
Kent
Marcus
Rohit Sharma
Jesse hale
Supporters
One hour. One course. A lifetime of impact for mental well-being—on and off the field.