Stop 3Parliament: Basketball, 1952 Olympics
Solon Low, MP from Cardston, Alberta, federal Leader of Social Credit Party, coached the Mormon Elders in Ottawa Senior Basketball for nearly 10 years.
In 1951, Low’s team, comprised of many individuals on mission from Utah and Idaho, were Ottawa Senior Basketball League champs. In November 1951, they hosted the Tilsonburg Livingston Seniors. ”The Livvies” went on to represent Canada at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. Tilsonburg sponsor, Gerry Livingston (1914-1988) was born in nearby Smith’s Falls.
The Ottawa Citizen said Tilsonburg is: “one of the tallest teams in Canadian basketball this season, with average height of 6’3’’. They boast three pivots; Red Curran 6’6” first string center, formerly of Assumption College; Harry Wade, 6’5”, weighing 210 and from University of Western Ontario; and Danny Gibbons, 6’4”, formerly of Seton Hall. Coached by Bud Redmond, Tilsonburg overcame a 1-point deficit at half to win 53-46.
