Disgraced former Toronto mayor Rob Ford is taking up another prominent role in the city over which he once presided. Fordhas Prince Fielder Jersey been elected to serve on the Hockey Hall of Fame board of directors, the museum announced Saturday. An avid hockey fan, Ford told reporters that he plans to use his role to help grow the sport and develop young fans. MORE: | | He will not be on the committee that selects inductees to the Hall of Fame. "When people call me they know they're getting someone that's experienced," Fordsaid, . "I've got season tickets to the Leafs, and I'm obse sed with hockey and obviously football, but hockey's my number one sport,and I'm going to try to just keep pushing it." Ford said he has already sat in on his first meeting and is in the proce s of being sworn in.The election was conducted during a board meeting March 25. Ford, 45, served as mayor of Toronto from 2010 to 2014. His term was tarnished by scandal, humiliation and public outcry following a series of videos that surfaced showing Ford smoking crack cocaine and shouting profanities. He infamously refused to resign from office amid the allegations and continued his term,even briefly announcing his intention to run for re-election after he admitted to cocaine use. Ford eventually pulled out of the race last year because of health concerns. He will undergo surgeryMay 11 to remove a cancerous tumor from his abdomen, which he says will only briefly affect his attendance at the board meetings. Jim Fregosi Jersey