This Day in Sports History: March 25

March 25 has seen some notable moments and stories from sports legends. Let's take a look at some of the highlights.

Unforgettable Games and Remarkable Records

Here are some memorable moments in sports that occurred on March 25:

1876: In Wales' first-ever soccer match, the team lost to Scotland 4-0.
1924: The NHL champion Montreal Canadiens defeated the WCHL champion Calgary Tigers 3-0 for a 2-0 series sweep and a Stanley Cup win.
1934: In the inaugural Augusta National Invitation Tournament, now known as the Masters, Horton Smith won with a 20-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole.
1979: Lanny Wadkins won the PGA Players Championship in windy conditions.

College Basketball Championships

March 25 has featured a few NCAA Men's Basketball Championship upsets:

1947: The Holy Cross Crusaders beat the Oklahoma Sooners 58-47. It was the Crusaders' first championship game appearance and title victory.
1961: Cincinnati beat Ohio State 70-65 in overtime. Jerry Lucas, the Buckeyes' future Hall of Fame forward, was the Most Outstanding Player for the second straight year.
1967: UCLA defeated Dayton 79-64. Bruins center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was named tournament MOP.
1972: For a sixth straight title, UCLA beat Florida 81-76. Future Hall of Fame center Bill Walton was the tournament MOP.

Sports History

Some of the biggest names in sports made history on March 25:

1958: Sugar Ray Robinson was the first boxing champ to win a world title five times in the same weight class.
1972: Bobby Hull of the Chicago Blackhawks became the second player in NHL history to score 600 goals.
1979: Czech tennis star Martina Navratilova won the WTA Tour Championship for the third consecutive time in New York City, defeating American teenager Tracey Austin with set scores of 6-3, 3-6, and 6-2.
1982: Wayne Gretzky became the first NHL player to score 200 points in a single season.
2013: Golfer Tiger Woods reclaimed the world No. 1 ranking after his hiatus from the sport.
2022: Sydney forward Lance "Buddy" Franklin kicked four goals to become only the sixth player in VFL/AFL history to score 1,000 career goals.

Looking back at these March 25 milestones, the common themes highlight several groundbreaking moments across various sports, as well as legendary basketball figures contributing to UCLA's dominance.

At the Glasgow soccer match, Wales' debut established them as the third-oldest international team, following England and Scotland.

In the early years of the Masters, no green jacket was awarded to the tournament winner. The first green jacket was introduced in 1949, when Sam Snead claimed the title.

In basketball, Bill Walton reached the peak of his career with his all-around skills — scoring, passing, intimidating opponents, hustling, and leading alongside some of the best centers of his era. As for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, his legendary career included being the NBA's all-time leading scorer until recently, with his signature "skyhook" shot, while also making significant contributions off the court with his activism and social justice work.

Sports History