J. Percy Page
Basketball Builder – Inducted 1966
Born on May 14, 1887, J. Percy Page was one of Canada’s most influential basketball builders and the founder and head coach of the legendary Edmonton Commercial Graduates Basketball Club, widely known as the Edmonton Grads. From 1915 to 1940, Page guided the team to unprecedented success, establishing one of the greatest dynasties in sport history.
During his 25 years as head coach, Page missed only three games. His philosophy emphasized discipline, teamwork, strong physical conditioning, and simple but highly effective play execution. Under his leadership, the Grads achieved an extraordinary record of 502 victories in 522 games, a winning percentage of 96.2 percent.
The Grads dominated Canadian and international competition. After winning their first Canadian Senior Women’s Championship in 1922, they never again lost a Canadian championship title. Beginning in 1924, the team entered international competition and won the prestigious Underwood Trophy for seventeen consecutive seasons.
Page led the Grads on extensive international tours, travelling more than 125,000 miles and winning seventeen consecutive world championships. The team competed at Olympic Games held in Paris (1924), Amsterdam (1928), Los Angeles (1932), and Berlin (1936), winning all thirty-nine games played during those appearances. Although women’s basketball was not yet an official Olympic medal sport, the Grads were widely recognized as the world’s best women’s basketball team.
Known for his strong leadership and commitment to athlete development, Page demanded professionalism from his players both on and off the court. He emphasized personal discipline, teamwork, and respect for the game, values that became hallmarks of the Grads’ success.
The team disbanded in 1940 following its twenty-fifth anniversary, ending one of the most remarkable eras in sport history.
After Induction
J. Percy Page’s contributions to sport, education, and public service continued to be recognized long after his coaching career.
He was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1955 as a Basketball Builder in recognition of his leadership and the extraordinary accomplishments of the Edmonton Grads.
From 1959 to 1966, Page served as the eighth Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, continuing his lifelong dedication to community leadership and public service.
Following his passing on March 2, 1973, numerous honours recognized his lasting impact. In 1984, J. Percy Page High School in Edmonton was opened and named in his honour. Edmonton Grads Park was established in 1989, commemorating both the team and Page’s coaching legacy. The plaque at the park recognizes his philosophy of teamwork and collective achievement.
In 2005, Page and the Edmonton Grads were honoured as part of Alberta’s Centennial Salute for Sport and Recreation. The history of the team was further documented in 2011 with the publication of The Grads Are Playing Tonight by M. Ann Hall.
Awards and Honours
- Founder and Head Coach — Edmonton Commercial Graduates Basketball Club (1915–1940)
- 17 Consecutive World Championships — Edmonton Grads
- Canadian Senior Women’s Champions (Undefeated after 1922)
- Olympic Exhibition Competition Champions — 1924, 1928, 1932, 1936
- 1955 — Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame Inductee (Basketball Builder)
- 1959–1966 — 8th Lieutenant Governor of Alberta
- 1984 — J. Percy Page High School named in his honour
- 1989 — Edmonton Grads Park established
- 2005 — Alberta Centennial Salute for Sport and Recreation Recognition
