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News Item

34th Annual Memorial Basketball Tournament

January 17, 2023

The ALCDSB's 34th annual memorial basketball tournament kicks off this Thursday, January 19, at 5:30 p.m. at Regiopolis-Notre Dame. The event features a doubleheader of Junior and Senior boy's basketball between the Regi Panthers and the Holy Cross Crusaders. 

“The Memorial" established in 1989 by Paul Halligan, who at that time was a basketball coach at Regiopolis-Notre Dame Catholic High School, is both a tribute and an annual fundraiser. Proceeds from this year's event will benefit individuals and families in our communities currently battling cancer.

2022 Memorial Basketball tournament group photo
Regi Panthers and the Holy Cross Crusaders Junior and Senior boys Basketball teams group photo, taken in 2022 at The Memorial Tournament.

About the event:
Over the past thirty-three years, and primarily through the efforts of Paul Halligan, "The Memorial" has raised over $400,000 for cancer research through the collection of admissions, t-shirt and sweatshirt sales, donations, silent auctions and raffles.  

Halligan envisioned an opportunity for Regiopolis-Notre Dame Catholic High School and Holy Cross Catholic Secondary school to come together in friendly competition while raising money and awareness for cancer research. Founded in honour of Halligan's friend and classmate, Peter Carty who attended RND, the event brought together many in the community who had been inspired by the life of Peter, and who were saddened by his death from cancer, at 23, in 1984.

Halligan died in July 1997 at age 34, sadly a victim of the very disease that had taken his friend 13 years earlier – a disease he had worked so tirelessly to combat through his fundraising efforts. A pharmacist by trade, Halligan had worked at Kingston General Hospital since his graduation from the University of Toronto and he had devoted himself to coaching football and basketball at Regi for many years. His integrity, commitment, kindness and generosity are well remembered by all, and in particular by those young people he coached.

This event is a tribute to two men, who died too young, and is a time to remember all family and friends who have fought or are fighting cancer.  Most important, these are events of hope and inspiration. Much has been gained in research and treatment since the first Memorial.  Much more needs to be done.  We are fortunate to have this opportunity to gather in sport and spirit to carry on the battle.

Contact: Robin Dzierniejko
Technological Education Department Head
Athletic Director 
Senior Boys Basketball Coach
Phone: 613-483-7472
Email: dzierobi@alcdsb.on.ca