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University of Waterloo Athletics

Waterloo Warriors Hall of Fame

1960-1961 Men's Basketball Team Photo

1961 Men's Basketball Team

  • Class
  • Induction
    2024
  • Sport(s)
    Men's Basketball
The 1960-1961 Waterloo Warriors Men’s Basketball Team, under the leadership of Coach Dan Pugliese, etched its name into the annals of university sports history with a standout season. The team achieved a perfect 8-0 record in the Ontario Intercollegiate Athletic Association (OIAA) and an impressive 19-2 overall mark. The best winning percentage record in Warriors men’s basketball program history. Their crowning achievement came with a commanding 92-73 victory over McMaster in the OIAA Championship game, sealing their place as the best team in the league.

The Warriors' season was marked by their exceptional performance against both Canadian and American opponents. They remained undefeated at home and navigated a challenging schedule that included games against several American colleges and key OUAA teams like Windsor, Queens, and McMaster. Despite two close road losses—to Geneseo State and the University of Windsor—the Warriors showcased remarkable resilience and balance.

The standout player was Bill Jones, who averaged 26.5 points per game and was instrumental in the team’s success, even though he missed four games mid-season due to injury. His leadership, alongside key contributions from Ray Palmer and Dick Aldridge, highlighted the depth of talent on the team. The team was acknowledged for their crucial role in enabling the Waterloo Warriors to compete in the OQAA and for their success in drawing future star athletes to the University of Waterloo.

Players – Dick Aldridge, Dick Callahan, Tim Craig, Jim Hann, Jerry Hickey, Bill Jones, Bernie Long, Ian MacNaughton, Brian McCormick, Ray Palmer, Bob Pando & Bill Steinburg
Coaching Staff – Dan Pugliese (Team Coach), Don Brown (Manager), Terry Boyle (Assistant Manager), Pat Bishop (Trainer) & Charlie Pouliot (Assistant Trainer)
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