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It was a moment that still induces goosebumps for members of the 1965-1966 University of Alberta in Calgary (UAC) Dinosaurs basketball team.

After a nearly flawless regular season that gave them the top record in the Western Canadian Intercollegiate Athletic Association (WCIAA), they were hosting the national championships in March.

It was a single-elimination tournament featuring powerhouses from the east including the University of Carleton, University of Windsor and Acadia University.

It was clear from the onset that the crowd would be a factor for the hometown team.

“As captain, I led the team onto the floor and the crowd erupted when we came in,” remembers Skip Morgan, BEd’66. “I have never experienced such a thrilling, startling or more moving moment in my life.”

Nearly 60 years later, the team was welcomed to a thunderous applause as they were inducted into the on Feb. 5, in what became an opportunity to share some memories about winning their first conference title and coming oh-so-close to winning a national championship.

High expectations

With a roster featuring nine players from Calgary and two from Lethbridge, the ’65-’66 Dinosaurs were built for speed and a balanced attack under head coach John Dewar.

Morgan says Dewar was dedicated and passionate about the game, always wanting to push his players to be the best they could be.

Their season started in October 1965 when they played the American show teams Harlem Stars and Harlem Clowns (both founded by former members of the iconic Harlem Globetrotters) in a handful of tune-up games.

Then began league play, where the Dinosaurs started racking up some early wins. 

To face stiffer opposition, Dewar set up a road trip to schools in the U.S. like Western Colorado, Tennessee State University and South Dakota State.

It was at the latter stop that Dewar’s fiery side led to one of the more memorable moments during the trek.

“They had this 6-foot-8, 280-lb centre who owned the key — if you went in there, you came out hurt and the referees ignored it,” Morgan says. “John had had enough and stood up, faced the crowd, and yelled, ‘If we had known you wanted to play hockey, we would have brought our sticks.’ He got a big laugh and applause.”

Teammate Wayne Thomas, BA’67, says Dewar could be “fairly intense” on the bench, which rubbed off on the players as they wanted to be the best for their teammates.

Best of the west

The veteran core, led by Dewar’s fiery passion, helped the team into a roll with an 7-1 conference record heading into the final weekend of the regular season.

The team with the top record in the WCIAA was set to host nationals that spring, so the Dinosaurs needed to win both games of a weekend set against the University of Saskatchewan.

Led by a 21-point performance from Morgan, the Dinnies (as they were referred to from time to time; the Dinos name didn't come along until later) captured a 94-55 victory on Feb. 11 to clinch at least a tie for top spot.

The following night, the Dinnies asserted themselves further with a convincing 114-67 romp of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies to claim the first men’s conference title in the four-year history of UAC.

“This has got to be my greatest thrill since I began coaching in the university ranks in 1955,” Dewar told the Calgary Herald after the triumph. “This is the best-balanced club I’ve ever been connected with.”

Eyeing a national championship, Dewar said his team had yet to live up to its full potential, something it would have to do when hosting nationals.

Coming up short

Hosting the single-elimination Canadian tournament, the Dinosaurs punched their ticket to the final with an 83-68 victory over the University of Carleton.

Their opponent would be the University of Windsor, who dispatched Acadia University with a 78-68 triumph.

More than 2,000 fans packed into the UAC gym on March 5 to cheer on their team.

Thomas says Windsor was a well-rounded team that consisted of 10 American players, which was a contrast to the all-Southern Alberta UAC squad.

It was a back-and-forth affair with Windsor going up early and the Dinnies fighting their way back to within a few points, but in the end, it was the Lancers coming up with a 95-83 win.

“These were two hard-pressing, talented, high-scoring teams,” Morgan recalls. “That 178-point total attests to that in an era where we didn’t have a three-point line.”

A local legacy

Despite the loss, Thomas says the Dinosaurs held their heads high knowing they gave it everything they had.

He says he is proud to see the team honoured by being named to the Class of 2026 for winning the university’s first men’s WCIAA title.

“This recognition of our team is a big honour,” Thomas says. “We were proud to wear Dinos colours and proud to be the first Calgary team to win a men’s basketball Western Canada title.”

Morgan says having a mostly local contingent made it mean that much more, both then and now as they have all remained close.

“I am proud to have been captain of such a gifted and talented team who represented our university with distinction,” he says. “I cherish the memory of teammates from this team we have lost, and I am deeply honoured to walk with them into the Dinos Hall of Fame.”

The Dinos (as they were called as of 1999) have claimed eight conference titles and one national championship since the WCIAA became Canada West in 1972-1973.

UCalgary hosts the men’s basketball national championships again March 6-8 at the Jack Simpson Gym. .