Every October for 21 years, legendary men's basketball head coach Don McCrae patrolled the sidelines at the Warriors' annual Naismith Classic tournament. He helped grow a modest preseason weekend into a can't-miss event for many years, the tournament was often the centerpiece of what was then homecoming weekend, and it became an annual collection of some of the nation's top university basketball programs – including the powerhouse Warriors. So, it's only fitting that Don McCrae's beloved Naismith Classic tournament will now bear his name.

Today, the department of athletics and recreation announced that Waterloo's preseason basketball tournament has been renamed the Don McCrae Naismith Classic, in recognition of the hall-of-fame coach.
"I'm very proud of this honour," said coach McCrae. "The Naismith Classic was always such a meaningful tournament for our program, and for the community. It was a highlight to play in front of a full gym, sometimes being the featured event during homecoming weekend, and to face some of the best teams in the country. I'm very humbled and grateful that the tournament will now include my name."   

McCrae coached the Warriors mens basketball team from 1971-92, where he amassed a 462-252 record. During his tenure, the Warriors won six Ontario University Athletics Association (OUAA) Championships, as well as claiming their only national championship in 1975. From 1977 until 1984, McCrae was also the head coach of the Canadian national women's team, leading them to a fourth-place finish at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.  
Don McCrae's impact on the men's basketball program was recognized this past February, when the program's team room was emblazoned with his name. Now, with the renaming of the Don McCrae Naismith Classic, the Warriors hope to acknowledge the coach's contributions to the larger basketball landscape.

"Along with the honorific naming of the team room, this further celebrates the impact and legacy Don had," said director of athletics and recreation, Roly Webster. "Full credit to his former players who made this recommendation that will forever recognize this impact to the broader community."

This fall will mark the 54^th playing of the Don McCrae Naismith Classic, which started as a men's preseason tournament in 1968. The event first included a women's division in 2004, and now consists of eight total teams – four each in the men's and women's divisions.

This year's Don McCrae Naismith Classic will take place from October 12-14. The men's division will feature Waterloo, Toronto Metropolitan University, St. Mary's, and Concordia, while the Warriors women will play host to York, Humber, and Manitoba. Tournament passes and single-game tickets will be available in August online at www.gowarriorsgo.ca/tickets.