HISTORY

The Ontario Catholic Classic has represented one of the great traditions of Ontario basketball. The "Catholic Tournament" dates back into the 1960's. During this time the tournament was hosted in a variety of different Catholic schools from accross the province. Catholic pioneer schools such as, Cathedral - Hamitlon, St. Michael's College - Toronto, Assumption - Windsor, St. Jerome's - Kitchener and Notre Dame College School - Welland. In 1975 the tournament found a permanent home at Denis Morris Catholic High School - St. Catharines. The bond and solidarity that the first tournament shared continues to be the standard of motivation.

Today, times have certainly changed from team’s overnighting on the church basement floor and tournament dances, the camaraderie and hospitality has remained a constant. The “Classic” has always strived to maintain that original shared Catholic vision amongst players and coaches of experiencing great basketball while enjoying each other’s friendships.

Over the weekend please take some time to browse the tournament program. The word “excellence” immediately comes to mind. The highest quality championship team and individual play have competed at the Ontario Catholic Classic. In fact, many of the Father Cundari / Red Ferracuti Most Valuable Player award recipients have gone on to great success at the OCAA, CIS, NCAA and even the NBA level. However, there are many stories that are untold in the recorded history of the program that absolutely need to be acknowledged. Those stories of “excellence” are the stories of the early Catholic athletic pioneers. Pioneers such as Father Kennedy and Mark Walton (Cathedral), Danny Pendergrass (St. Michael’s College), Bob Coul (Windsor Assumption), Jack Chambers (Welland Notre Dame College School) and Emond O’Shea (Denis Morris Catholic) to only mention a few whose sacrifice, dedication and vision shaped basketball to what it is in the province today.

The Ontario Catholic Classic committee would like to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate all the players, coaches, parents and the many volunteers that have made the tournament truely special. We all look forward to many more exciting moments building upon the rich tradition of the Ontario Catholic Classic.

“Great traditions are always under construction”.