Former Catholic Central football coaches inducted into Hall of Fame

By Lethbridge Herald on March 26, 2025.

Herald Photo by Justin Seward Richard Credico and Aurelio Delbello are pictured here coaching together at CCH.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

A couple of former well-known and impactful Catholic Central High School football coaches were inducted in the Football Alberta Hall of Fame recently

Both Richard Credico and Aurelio “Rel” Delbello, who both passed away within six months of each other in 2020, were inducted into Hall of Fame as a tandem that was one of the best in Alberta’s coaching ranks.

The tandem grew up playing high school football together, attending and played football at Minot State University together before embarking on education careers  at CCH in the 1970s and shortly after took on coaching the Cougars football program in various capacities for 35 years.

They were able to revive the bantam feeder program and took the Cougars to five league championships and won two tier 2 provincial championships in 1985 and 2010.

Delbello manned the Cougars sideline as head coach from 1975-1983 and Credico head coached from 1984-1986.

Rick coached  high school football from 1975-1997 and again from 2006-2010.

“I wish Rick was alive now because football was his passion ,” said Grace Credico, Rick’s widow.

“It’s so well deserved because he did devote everything for football and he always fought to have the best conditions for the players.”

Those conditions that Credico pushed for included a weight room and dressing rooms which turned out to be a portable classroom.

Rick was known for his  academic standards to be high.

“So you had to keep your grades up, you could not skip a class, you had to maintain the academic standards,” said Grace.

The Credico Cup was established by Rick  in 1999, which was “Combining Academic Excellence and Football Performance.”

Grace thinks the most memorable moment for Rick was the 2010 provincial championship win.

“He knew that was his last year he’d be able coach,” said Grace.

Grace thought it was unique that the duo coached together because of being best friends on the sideline.

“They had arguments but they were always best friends ,” said Grace.

“They would argue because Rick always did the defence and the linemen whereas Rel always did the offence. That’s the way it always was and one did not step on toes (of) the other.”

The duo coached junior football from 2003-2006 where they coached their sons Peter and Connor.

Deedee Delbello sent in a statement about what this recognition means to her.

“Rick and Rel would be humbled and honored to receive the recognition from Football Alberta,” said Deedee.

“They would be touched deeply to read the letters written in support of the nomination from players, opposing coaches, administrators and community members. Both Rick and Rel were passionate competitor who also had a goal to help shape their players into quality human beings on and off the football field.”