Heritage Jersey Game – Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at 4:00 PM.
Lisgar Collegiate Institute, 29 Lisgar St., Ottawa, Ontario.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Celebrate Ottawa’s 100th Anniversary Win: the 1925 Canadian Men’s Basketball Championship
Download: Event Program (PDF)
Download Poster: Ottawa’s Road to 1925 Dominion of Canada Championship (PDF)
100 Years Ago, Lisgar Collegiate Boys’ basketball sent the youngest Ottawa team, ever, to compete in the national Canadian Men’s Basketball Championship. Playing as part of “Rideau Aquatic Club,” the Lisgar ballers defeated the University of British Columbia in Vancouver to become Canadian champions.
On December 3rd, at 4pm, Lisgar Boy’s Basketball will again morph into the “Rideaus” vs UBC.
With support from Lisgar, Rideau Canoe Club, UBC and Xeist Sportswear, we’ve created replica jerseys to recreate the spirit of this historic match. We will play a “Heritage Jersey” game to commemorate what was Ottawa’s first ever national basketball championship.
At half-time, Wheelchair Basketball Canada will demonstrate their sport and profile the upcoming 2026 IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships, which will take place in Ottawa from September 9-19th.
On April 30, 1925, a team selected and led by Lisgar teacher, coach, and drill instructor Arthur Burridge captured the first-ever Dominion Amateur Basketball Association-sanctioned men’s national title in Vancouver. Burridge later went on to become the athletic director at McMaster University, where the gymnasium now bears his name.
It was a special group of athletes. Don Young, a cousin of basketball inventor James Naismith, was a star on the team. Later that fall, he and teammate Jake Jamieson would win Ottawa’s first Grey Cup playing for the Rough Riders. Two years later, in 1927, teammate Alex “Boots” Smith would help the Senators to win the Stanley Cup.
Arnold Henderson from UBC would go onto coach the Edmonton Grads, and become part of the most famous and successful basketball team in Canada. Dal Grauer would become UBC Chancellor.
A Legacy That Continued Beyond the Court
After graduating, several team members served Canada during the Second World War. Don Young and Eric Nichol both became doctors and enlisted with divisions of the Royal Medical Corps.
In 1945, King George VI awarded Don Young the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his service.
Centennial Commemoration: Heritage Jersey Game
The 100th anniversary celebration at Lisgar will feature a Heritage Jersey Basketball Game, honouring the athletes and their impact on Canadian and Ottawa sports culture. To commemorate the championship, the Lisgar boy’s basketball team will sport the purple retro jersey and the alumni team will wear the UBC white retro jersey provided by Xeist.
The event is supported by the Ottawa Basketball Network (OBN), a not-for-profit that leverages basketball to build community and was instrumental in helping establish World Basketball Day at the United Nations.
Descendants of players, including Naismith family descendants plan to attend.
“This anniversary is more than a sports milestone, it’s a celebration of Ottawa’s rightful place in Canadian basketball history.”
— Leo B. Doyle, Ottawa Basketball Network
Individuals or organizations interested in supporting the Heritage Jersey Game or contributing to the centennial initiative may contact:
Leo B. Doyle
Ottawa Basketball Network (OBN)
Email: LeoDoyle@icloud.com | Phone: 613-720-5391
