John McDonaugh

Known affectionately as “Big John”, John McDonaugh was an acclaimed basketball referee from Canada. The son of Irish immigrants, McDonaugh grew up in Saint-Henri, Montréal. McDonaugh worked for the Baldwin Cartier School Board for more than 30 years as both a maths teacher and a guidance counsellor. Later McDonaugh opened up his own private practice working as a family therapist.

McDonaugh both played and officiated basketball. While at Bishop’s University McDonaugh played one season with the Bishop’s Gaiters. As a referee he was able to officiate in matches at the 1976 Montréal Olympics. McDonaugh was inducted into the Quebec Basketball Hall of Fame and was bestowed with the Ted Early Memorial Award.