Richard "Dickie" Bachmann will serve as commissioner of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men's basketball tournament for Seasons 85 and 86.
Bachmann, the former Alaska governor in the Philippine Basketball Association, said serving as UAAP commissioner is like a homecoming since he attended De La Salle University from 1986 to 1991 and played for the Green Archers in the UAAP wars.
He also served as assistant coach, team manager and team governor so being a commissioner is a bigger challenge for him.
"It's like going full circle, starting out as a player to an assistant coach then, later on, team manager and team governor and now to a commissioner, I'm really blessed and grateful for this opportunity," Bachmann said in a statement.
"And the UAAP was the place it all started for me, that's what excites me the most."
Unlike in the past seasons, host Adamson University decided to break tradition in selecting the commissioner for both basketball and volleyball.
A selection process was held while the entire UAAP board of managing directors made the final approval.
"As hosts for UAAP Season 85, we at Adamson University decided to break tradition of endorsing one and make everyone part of the selection process in choosing the commissioner for both the basketball and volleyball tournaments," UAAP Season 85 president Fr. Aldrin Suan said.
"Executive director Atty. Rebo Saguisag formed a search committee that screened applicants and nominees and came up with a shortlist which was presented to the BMD. After painstaking deliberation by the BMD, it was Mr. Richard Bachmann who stood out."
"We are excited to have him and see him execute his expertise and vision for our basketball tournaments, not just this season but also for UAAP Season 86."
Bachmann's term as basketball commissioner will not just be for Season 85 but will also extend to the league's 86th season.
This is to ensure that all bases will be covered with regard to the continuous learning for the referees.
"My main task is improving the officiating of the league, a one-year term on any commissioner is not enough," Bachmann said.
"There should be continuity through training and they also need to call some games outside of the UAAP which will be also supervised by us."
Bachmann is currently in the process of selecting the pool of referees that will be used by the league for its collegiate men's, collegiate women's, high school boys', high school girls', and 3×3 basketball tournaments.
"Basically, they asked me my plans for the referees. I said that I'd rather have a pool that I can control, a collection of referees from various leagues and groups," Bachmann said.