John Douglas Oldford

When Doug Oldford, from Glace Bay, graduated from Nova Scotia Teachers’ College, he immediately joined the staff of Bridgetown Regional High School in the fall of 1973. He took over the Physical Education position previously held by Duff Montgomerie who had left teaching to be executive director of the Nova Scotia School Athletic Federation. Duff had coached the senior boys’ basketball team, taking over from Jack Walker. Picking up the coaching reins from Duff, Doug continued the basketball program. It was definitely a rebuilding venture as he soon realized that his boys were in need of some good competition. Doug was a competent, supportive and inclusive coach who passed on his love for the game of basketball to his team members.

Doug realized that it would be a good idea to have a tournament at the school where alumni could come back and the high school team would play against quality teams. His idea became reality when the first tournament, the Montgomerie Classic, consisting of six teams, took to the court in March of 1980. The success of this tournament led to next year’s tournament which was
labelled the Merriam Tournament, honouring Don Merriam, who had coached the junior boys for 24 years. In 1982, the tournament became the Jack Walker Classic: from then on it stayed “The Walker Classic.” However, in 1990, the Classic honoured “the Scanlan Years,” in reference to Dennis Scanlan whose senior boys’ teams won provincial titles in 1983, 1988 and 1989.
In recent years the Walker Classic has paid tribute to Vernon Dakin and James Mann, both of whom had made major contributions to BRHS and the basketball program.

As the Classic grew in popularity, it was expanded to eight teams. As well, mini boys’ and girls’ basketball games were held on Saturday. Women’s games were added after the merger of the Bridgetown and Lawrencetown school systems. The fans and players always looked forward to watching their former teachers and/or coaches meander up and down the court, or in some cases play against them.

The two-day tournament has gone on uninterrupted for 37 years. The success of Doug’s concept is undeniable with over 100 participants, male and female, and more than 200 spectators, on average, attending every year. Over the years, participants have come from the United States and as far away as British Columbia. In fact, three of the participants have been Doug and Mary’s three children: Greig, Emily and Judson. On occasion Doug and the boys have played against each other on the court. It would be safe to say that in the 37 years of the Classic, Doug has played in 30 of them.

Now retired from his teaching career at BRHS, Doug returns to the Walker Classic every year to assist with the administration of the tournament and enjoy the homecoming atmosphere. All in all, the Classic continues to be filled with great camaraderie and sportsmanship. It is a seasonal event that many look forward to every year.

For his strong work in organizing and developing the Walker Classic over the years, we induct Doug Oldford as a builder into the Bridgetown and Area Sports Hall of Fame.