Professional Basketball in Windsor has Officially Arrived

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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Windsor’s new professional men’s basketball team, the Windsor Express, held their first press conference today to greet the public. This event was held at the Spirit of Windsor in Dieppe Park.

The mayor, Eddie Frances, congratulated the team as he understands what the Windsor Express is capable of bringing to the city.

The mayor stated, “The fact that they {Windsor Express} have chosen this city and this region means that they’re going to put in the emphasis and the resources to develop basketball here.”

Mayor Francis believes it will be great for not only professionals but, athletes on all levels in the Windsor-Essex region. Francis recognized that having another successful professional team in the city is tied to the success of the city and provides another opportunity to “tell our story.”

President and CEO, Dartis Willis spoke of how the Windsor Express came to be named. It pays homage to the Underground Railroad and the Railmen of Windsor. The team vows to develop their players through education and training as a catalyst to their success in “life after basketball,” says Mr. Willis. 

He went on to emphasize that they, “Really want to be a part of the community and engage the community.”  He feels strongly about the
success of the team and basketball’s foundation being just as great in Canada as it is in the U.S. He believes this is possible due to the
proximity to Detroit, Windsorites’ love of basketball and the size of their potential market.

Several local supporters of the Windsor Express Basketball Team were in company. Representatives from the Chamber, Department of Tourism, WEEDC in addition to the local YMCA, Richard Shaw of Shaw’s Hoop Dreams and former Sandwich high school star and scholarship player at Marquette University, Chris Oliver-head coach for University of Windsor men’s Lancer’s basketball with several men from the team, Gerry Brumpton and former New Jersey Nets basketball player Bill Jones were witnesses of the formal acknowledgement.