Wayne Ruff dedicated over 50 years to basketball as a coach and an administrator. He began coaching at Elmwood High School in 1961 and went on to Glenlawn, John Taylor, Varennes, Minnetonka, Dakota and George McDowell. At Glenlawn, he coached the Lions Varsity Girls to two consecutive MHSAA ‘AAAA’ provincial championships in 1965 and 1966. Furthermore, he was an assistant coach with the University of Manitoba Bisons men’s team in 1966-67 and the University of WinnipegWesmen Women in 1969-71. During his coaching years, he coached many individuals who went on to very successful careers as players and coaches. He was a founding member of the John Taylor Piper Classic tournament which began in 1972 which continues as the longest running high school tournament in Manitoba. He was also instrumental in the start of the Wesmen Classic / Golden Boy Tournament at the University of Winnipeg in 1966, the Manitoba Basketball Coaches’ Association in 1969 and the basketball program at the Royal Canadian Legion Summer Athletic Camp at the International Peace Gardens in 1971. In addition, his leadership as a principal and school trustee helped lead to the development of strong athletic programs in many Winnipeg schools.
