Stu Graham (front row, 15) and the rest of the North Delta Huskies pose 50 years ago with the spoils of victory. (Photo courtesy BCHSBBA 2020. All Rights Reserved)
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VL Podcast 12.10.20: Basketball B.C. prez Stu Graham on the culture of hoops in his early-1970s North Delta Huskies neighbourhood and beyond!

The Varsity Letters time machine spins the knobs and dials and heads back to the year 1971 to celebrate (a wee bit early) a very special 50th anniversary BC high school moment!

Our guest?

Basketball B.C. president Stu Graham has worn so many hats, and he brings the entire rack to the fore as he chats hoops and life with host (and fellow North Delta Huskies grad) Howard Tsumura.


Over the course of 50 minutes, we talk about a pioneer named Stan Stewardson, the legendary Silver Moon Store, hairstyles of the 70s and so much more.

The North Delta Huskies’ trio of Dave Coutu, Mike McNeill and Stu Graham were well-represented on the night they beat Vancouver College 43-38 to help North Delta to its first-ever B.C. senior varsity basketball title. (Photo courtesy BCHSBBA 2020. All Rights Reserved)

Varsity Letters, Canada’s only podcast dedicated solely to provincial university and high school sports coverage, is produced by Gabriel Lynn, and available at Apple Music, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

We hope you’re a subscriber, and if you’ve got time, we’d love to get a review! If you please, don’t hold back on those stars! It will help others more easily find us each week! 

Our theme music, Generation Next, is written and performed exclusively for Varsity Letters by Chad Joiner and the MEI Screaming Eagles marching band.

If you’re reading this story or viewing these photos on any 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.

4 thoughts on “VL Podcast 12.10.20: Basketball B.C. prez Stu Graham on the culture of hoops in his early-1970s North Delta Huskies neighbourhood and beyond!

  1. Great pod cast Howard and Stu ! You capture the magic of that era as it related to North Delta and BC. basketball in the 70’s. Being the same age as Stu, I had a similar experience at Eric Hamber and, although our win loss record was not as impressive as Stu’s, our team spirit , tight friendship bond, love for our coach, school, and the game would rival NDSS. Since 1972, our team, including coach and managers, have been gathering for golf and beers every summer all these years while the stories and lies keep getting better. I also had the privilege of playing with and getting to know North Delta players, Stu Graham, Doug Schweers, Dave Coutu, John Buis, Mike McNeil, and can confirm that they are a special group. I also coached Stan and Heather’s two wonderful sons in junior high and got to know that special family as well, which almost qualifies me for a NDSS social membership. I certainly hope the magic returns after this crazy year so that other kids can experience what Stu describes so well.
    Cheers,
    Ross Davidson

  2. Excellent interview and recap. After being recruited by Stan I joined SFU when Mike, Stu and Norm were our young coaches. Alan Kristmanson, Dave Wilson from delta and Mike Carker and myself from Steveston were recruited that year. I was fortunate to have been part of the Hugh Boyd Trojans with Bob Putnam and then Kent Chappell at steveston. Our coaches shaped so much of our lives. Great to hear so many of these familiar and cherished stories.

  3. My dad was known as the “voice of bc basketball” in the 70s and Early 80s as well as a huskies coach. I will show this to him later for a blast from the past 🙂
    (I was the huskies waterboy at this point and for Stan during his sfu days)

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