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The Edmonton Grads 1915-1940
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Copyright 2005 John A. Molina. All rights reserved
Warning!
All of the contents of this website, inclusive of photographs, text, logo and illustrations are the sole exclusive property of John A. Molina and are protected under the Copyright Laws of the United States Code. Any copying, reproduction, dissemination or distribution of the contents herein by any means, in whole or in part, are strictly forbidden without the written authorization of John A. Molina.
The owner of the contents herein will pursue all legal remedies available for those not obtaining proper authorization.
In the event that a copy of any of the contents of this website is desired, or you wish to obtain a copy of any of the photographs depicted herein, permission may be obtained by clicking on the link below.
I want to thank all of you that are helping this exhibition grow and eventually become a museum. Your gifts of pictures, posters from and much more from your own playing days or your mother, grandmother and others, has helped greatly and will be preserved for many thousands of students and fans to view and learn from.
Above, several inductees to the Connecticut Women's Basketball Hall of fame view a portion of the history of women's basketball at the dedication of the permanant home of the CT Women's basketball hof.
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A very important team in the early part of Womens Basketball History was a team called the Edmonton Grads. And it was by accident the this team was ever formed. In 1912 Percy Page arrived in Edmonton Alberta at the age of 25 and taught classes in the city high schools. He also coached a relatively new game, basketball. In 1914 he was put in charge of classes at a new school called McDougal Commerical High school. He continued coaching basketball as a physically good activity for the body (many, including Dr. James Naismith still had major concerns about the effects of tournament play, especially by girls and women). Page could only coach one of the team, either the boys or girls. He let his assistant choose which he preferred. Ernest Hyde then made the Babe Ruth trade of womens basketball in the early days. He chose to coach the boys, thus leaving the ladies with Percy. Coach Page's high school team was so successful they won the provincial championships and decided to stay together after graduation. Hence, The Edmonton Grads are now born. His team became so successful, he developed a 'farm team system" for girls still in high school.
While the Grads got some local attention, other then playing an occasional game from Camrose or Calgary, they attracted little outside attention. That was until 1922. The team above was invited to Play the London Shamrocks in the first East - West final. This presented a problem for the Grads. The London sponsors could only guarantee 600 dollars for travel expenses. Coach Page figured it would cost $1,000. Each girl contributed $25.00 of her own and some local merchants kicked in the rest. Only 6 girls could make the trip. The Shamrocks were the "World Champions". Not much was put into the Grads chances. They played one game with girls rules and one with boys rules. The Grads lost the first, but then overwhelmed London 41-8 in the second game. They quickly became a household word, similar to that of the New York Yankees of baseball in the U.S.
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In 1923 a typewriter company (Underwood) came up with the idea of sponsoring an international competition for girls basketball. Hence the Underwood trophy series was born. This was the equivilant of the Stanley Cup. The first series had the Cleveland Favorite Knits playing the Grads in the Edmonton Arena. The Cleveland Favorite knits wore their form-fitting jerseys and short shorts with the words "World Champs stamped across them, against the long woollen stocking and billowing bloomers that the Grads wore. The Grads let their play speak for them and they whipped the Knits in 2 straight games. 
Shown above is what to believe a watch fob that belonged to one of the members, maybe even the coach of the Favorite Knits. This team went 54-6 that year (it is a bit hard to read the back). From then on, the Grads were recognized as World Champs. During the next 17 years, the Grads would play in 120 games in the Underwood series. They would end up with a 114-6 record.
Supporting the History of Women's Basketball research and promotion.
Copyright 2005 John A. Molina. All rights reserved.
Warning!
All of the contents of this website, inclusive of photographs, text, logo and illustrations are the sole exclusive property of John A. Molina and are protected under the Copyright Laws of the United States Code. Any copying, reproduction, dissemination or distribution of the contents herein by any means, in whole or in part, are strictly forbidden without the written authorization of John A. Molina.
The owner of the contents herein will pursue all legal remedies available for those not obtaining proper authorization.
In the event that a copy of any of the contents of this website is desired, or you wish to obtain a copy of any of the photographs depicted herein, permission may be obtained by clicking on the link below to contact the author.
October 2005 - Article on The All American Red Heads done for the Women's Sports Foundation.
Founded in 1974 by Billie Jean King, the Women's Sports Foundation is a charitable educational organization dedicated to advancing the lives of girls and women through sports and physical activity.
Contact the Author, John Molina
Please visit other web sites listed below developed by John Molina dedicated to the history of women's basketball
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