BURNABY — When Jack Dumont thinks about the past two years, the rising UBC Thunderbirds freshman can’t help but reflect on the help and support which was extended to himself, his mom Trixie and his younger brothers Hunter and Cole through the outstretched arms of B.C.’s tight-knit basketball community.
Back in the late summer of 2016, as he prepared to begin his Grade 11 season with the Vancouver College Fighting Irish, Dumont lost his father John, 41, to a valiant battle with cancer.
That same summer, the first John Dumont Classic tournament was staged in an effort for those in the local basketball community to express just how much the former VC and UBC star meant to them.
Jack Dumont, who has followed in his father’s precise footsteps, has simply never forgotten. And earlier this week, it was inspiring to see how, just two years later, the tournament played in his father’s name had grown into a self-empowering force.
On Sept. 1, when the third annual John Dumont 3-on-3 Classic is staged on the courts at the Richmond Olympic Oval, all proceeds from the day will go towards supporting the future endeavours of Holy Corss Crusaders’ rising Grade 11 guard Uyi Ologhola, who recently lost his mother Edna to cancer.
Registration is simple. All you have to do is click here — johndumontclassic.ca — and you can sign up in 3-on-3 age divisions from U-11/12 through adult.
“Two years ago when, when we started it and my dad was sick, all we could hope for was support from the community,” Jack Dumont said. “That is what we want for Uyi. I couldn’t have gotten more support when I needed it, and through this, that is what we all hope for Uyi’s family.”
Jack Dumont’s hope is that each year, the JDC will be able to help, in some way, a family in need.
“For the future of the tournament, we would like to find a family undergoing a situation where they could use some help, to be supported in the ways that we were supported,” he explained.
Fans of the B.C. high school game know Uyi Ologhola as not just an incredible talent — a player who as a ninth grader at the 2017 B.C. AAAA championship quarterfinals, scored 37 points in a 99-86 OT win over Jack Cruz-Dumont’s Irish squad — but as a kid who owns the kind of epic smile capable of lighting up the Langley Events Centre.
“He is a great guy,” said Jack. “He is a part of the DRIVE community and he’s played on Hunter’s DRIVE team for years.”
Four full courts will be in use at the event. There is a barbecue and beer garden as well, outside on the Riverside Plaza.
All together, it’s the kind of day that the late John Dumont loved most.
“My dad’s biggest thing was friendship and community and basketball,” Jack says. “This brings it all together.”
Again, you can register your team for the third annual John Dumont Classic on Saturday, Sept. 1 by clicking on johndumontclassic.com
If you’re reading this story or viewing these photos on any other website other than one belonging to a university athletic department, it has been taken without appropriate permission. In these challenging times, true journalism will survive only through your dedicated support and loyalty. VarsityLetters.ca and all of its exclusive content has been created to serve B.C.’s high school and university sports community with hard work, integrity and respect. Feel free to drop us a line any time at howardtsumura@gmail.com.
