Over its 142 years of existence, the MAA Sports Club, which has been located on Peel Street in downtown Montreal since 1905, has seen its name shine thanks in particular to its Stanley Cup and Gray Cup champions. . In 1976, during the Montreal Games, it had seen more than 35 of its members win Olympic medals since 1904. One of the oldest clubs of its kind in North America is the only one to have documents in the National Archives in Ottawa . A rich culture which today covers the walls of the newly rebuilt club. Here are important dates in the history of the MAA Sports Club.
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1881
The Montreal Bicycle Club, the Montreal Racquet Club and the Montreal Lacrosse Club merged to found the Montreal Athletic Amateur Association (MAAA).
William Gillies Ross was Canadian cycling champion in the 1 and 5 mile races in 1882.
Photo provided by the MAA Montreal Sports Club
1893
The MAAA hockey team won the first Stanley Cup with a 7-4 victory over Winnipeg. She also got her hands on the prestigious trophy in 1894, 1902 and 1903.
The Stanley Cup champion team of 1883.
Photo provided by MAA Sports Club
1932
James Morris, one of the members of the MAAA, was inspired by the club’s logo, consisting of a wheel and wings, when he became owner of the Detroit Red Wings.
The MAAA logo
Photo Mylène Richard
1904
The first individual gold medal in Canadian history at the Olympic Games was won by Étienne Desmarteau. He triumphed in St. Louis, Missouri, in the hammer throw. His giant photo is reproduced on a wall of the restaurant Le 1881.
Etienne Desmarteau
Photo provided by the MAA Sports Club
1905
The MAAA has been located on Peel Street since 1905.
The Montreal Athletic Amateur Association in 1905.
Photo provided by the MAA Sports Club
1912
At the Olympic Games in Stockholm, Sweden, George Hodgson represented the MAAA well by becoming the first Canadian to reach the top step of the podium twice in swimming. He won the 1500m and 400m freestyle, setting a world record in the first event as well as two Olympic records.
George Hodgson
Photo provided by the MAA Sports Club
1920
Boxer Bert Schneider won the Canadian welterweight belt, before covering himself with gold at the Olympic Games in Antwerp, Belgium. He won three of the four rounds in the final.
Bert Schneider
Photo provided by the MAA Sports Club
1928
On the occasion of the first participation of women in the Olympic Games, Myrtle Cook distinguished herself in athletics by winning gold in the 400m relay at the Amsterdam Games, in the Netherlands.
1931
The MAAA football team lifted the Gray Cup after shutting out the Regina Roughriders 22-0.
The MAAA football team
MAA Sports club
1934
An expansion allows the addition of several sports including squash and badminton.
The Montreal Athletic Amateur Association building in 1934.
Photo provided by the MAA Sports Club
1956
Skier Lucille Wheeler brought home bronze from the Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Two years later, she was world champion in downhill and giant slalom.
Lucille Wheeler
Photo provided by the MAA Sports Club
1962
Swimmer Richard Pound, known as Dick, won four Commonwealth Games medals, including a gold, before becoming a member of the International Olympic Committee and president of the World Anti-Doping Agency. In 1960, he took part in the Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.
Richard “Dick” Pound
Photo provided by the MAA Sports Club
1988
Carolyn Waldo won two gold medals in the individual and duet events in synchronized swimming at the Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea.
Carolyn Waldo
Photo provided by the MAA Sports Club
1998
Saved from bankruptcy by 80 shareholders, the MAAA became the MAA Sports Club (the A ofassociation was removed) and major renovations are underway with a view to reopening in November 1999.
The Montreal Athletic Amateur Association (MAAA) building in 1995.
Photo provided by the MAA Sports Club
2018
The Devimco group was chosen to build a tower of more than 300 condos over 35 floors, above the MAA.
The MAA Sports Club building, on Peel Street, in 2018.
Photo provided by the MAA Sports Club
This is what the condo tower above the MAA Sports Club will look like.
Illustration provided by the MAA Sports Club, Devimco group
2023
Reopening of the club, which has retained its historic facade from 1905.
The MAA Sports Club during the official reopening on September 7, 2023.
Photo Pierre-Paul Poulin, Le Journal de Montréal