How did over 35 superstar basketball players come out of just one high school? What were the players from this outlying location doing differently than their many other competitors? Were they really so much better? Decide for yourself with a brief overview of some information we do know for sure.
The Statistics
- They won 95% of all games played over 25 years!
- Compare that to:
- The Edmonton Oilers, in their best season of 1983-84, won 71% of their games
- The 2015-16 Golden State Warriors finished their best season winning 89% of their games
- Compare that to:
- Their longest winning streak was 147 games in a row!
- They played at least 124 different teams!
- 64 Canadian, 46 American and 14 European
- Won 7 out of 9 games played against men’s teams!
Some of their most outstanding win scores were:
- 1934: Grads: 136 / University of Alberta: 16
- 1931: Grads: 104 / Calgary Centrals: 24
- 1931: Grads: 109 / Chicago F.P. Cardinals: 24
- 1934: Grads: 100 / Chicago Spencer Coals: 39
- 1931: Grads: 123 / Toronto All Stars: 19
- 1924: Grads: 109 / Paris: 20
- 1936: Grads: 100 / London, UK: 2
Was this unprecedented and yet to be repeated success in sporting history the result of fortunate chance, or of the effective application of a game winning formula?
Here’s what stands out.
Jump to: The Leadership of Coach Percy Page | Early Start | Farm Team | Management and Promotion | Versatility | Team Spirit and Love of the Game
The Leadership of Coach Percy Page
Percy Page circa 1924 [1980-16-34]
“He kept them going for 25 years … he was a genius. He is the reason for their great success.” Dr. W.G. Carpenter, Principal of Victoria High School, Edmonton Journal, June 7, 1940, Page 10.
The Grads had one consistent coach for their entire 25 years. The leadership of Coach Page provided an environment for the players who put in the time and practice to succeed. Though known to be a man of few words, Coach Page’s expectations of his players were respectful and clear. On the basketball court and off, Page led a life of great integrity. Leading by example, he met the high expectations he held for himself, so when he set high expectations for the Grads, they rose to the occasion time and time again.
Edmonton Grads, circa 1934 [1980-16-46]
Early Start
The Grads started in 1915, only 24 years after the sport was invented by Canadian James Naismith. They got into a brand new sport early and by the start of the 1920s entered formal amateur competition. The way the Grads perfected the play of basketball — with an offensive based strategy focusing on short and quick passes — repeatedly gained the attention of praise of Naismith.
J. Naismith (left) and P. Page (right) in 1929 [City of Edmonton Archives EB-27-89]
“My admiration is not only for your remarkable record of games won … but also for your record of clean play, versatility in meeting teams at their own style, and more especially for your unbroken record of good sportsmanship.” Dr. James Naismith, inventor of the sport of basketball, Letter to the Grads Past and Present in 1936
Farm Team
Coach Page’s effective style helped to enable the development of one of the earliest farm teams in sporting history. The Gradettes were the senior girls basketball team at McDougall Commercial High School. They practiced with the Grads and competed regularly, which allowed them to integrate their style of play and the culture of the team. This system ensured that replacement players were ready and waiting in the wings whenever a Grad decided to step down from their position. It was a seamless transition, requiring no adjustment period for the team, and allowing their growth and success to continue without interruption.
The former McDougall Commercial High School, present day John A. McDougall Elementary School
“The school was a regular basketball factory.” (Clare Hollingsworth, teacher & coach at McDougall Commercial High School, quoted in M. Ann Hall, The Grads Are Playing Tonight!, page 112)
Management and Promotion
Spark Plug Scorecard from 1934 [1980-16-161 & 162]
Early on, Coach Page took on the added responsibilities of management and promotion of the team. He created memorable experiences and team promotional materials such as using icons like the Spark Plug mascot in fun scorecards that fans received when they attended games. Page strategically put funds raised from games towards travel opportunities to bring the team tougher and more varied competition.
The continuity of Page’s management, built on professionalism and sportspersonship, was upheld by the conduct of the players and built a positive brand and reputation of the Edmonton Grads. This attracted the support of many local businesses because associating with the Grads increased profits. The Grads also attracted mass fandom because watching their games and following their exploits was fun and inspiring.
Versatility
Etta Dann circa 1938 [1980-16-157]
The Grads played on “outdoor and indoor courts of all sizes, on courts with glass backboards and no backboards, in low ceiling halls allowing little loft to the ball, in all kinds of weather and under all conditions.” (M. Ann Hall, The Grads Are Playing Tonight!)
The opportunity to frequently compete internationally increased the Grads’ versatility of play and enabled them to evolve along with changes to the game. These experiences allowed them to learn new skills and adapt to different playing environments as needed. Whether it was a change from women’s to men’s rules, or playing outdoors to indoors, they were flexible and remained focused on the core elements of the game.
Dot Johnson and Connie Smith, 1926 [City of Edmonton Archives EB-27-67]
Team Spirit and Love of the Game
World Champions in 1928 [1980-16-190]
The Grads built team spirit by practicing regularly twice per week, spending social time together, and travelling to games together. The trips to Europe for the Olympics were not only a team building exercise, but also provided opportunities for learning and adventure. These experiences were so important that key players Daisy and her sister Dot Johnson resigned from the team in fall of 1927 in order to allow other girls the opportunity to travel to Europe in 1928, something they already had a chance to do in 1924. The Grads team spirit was further enforced by their philosophy of not featuring any individual players as “stars” but rather maintaining a unified front as a team.
The players loved the game exceedingly, so they worked hard and were upstanding in how they represented Edmonton and the sport of basketball. At this time basketball was overwhelmingly reserved for men. However, this particular group of women utilized what benefits were available to them, combined with their strong camaraderie to address some challenges and pursue their love of the game.
Edmonton Grads in Calgary in 1924 [City of Edmonton Archives EB-27-12]
“It’s the team-work that does it. Player for player, the Grads have run into many stars who were their match, and sometimes their superiors. They have never yet, however, had their spirit of co-operation equaled.” (Frederick B. Watt, Maclean’s Magazine, January 15, 1929, Vol. 42, Issue 2, p. 43)