A pioneering advocate of amateur sports in Canada, John DeGruchy made his most significant contributions in football. Connected with that sport in various capacities before the turn of the 20th century with the old Toronto Athletic club and the Toronto Rugby and Athletic association, he was later the president of the Ontario Rugby Football Union for some 25 years. DeGruchy introduced the Toronto city title series between Argonauts, Varsity, and Balmy Beach, and he was also the donor of the Reg DeGruchy Memorial Trophy for the city series. This trophy was named in memory of his son, Reg, who, with another son, Hal, served as an outstanding referee after a long and brilliant playing career. A prime believer in the development of six-man football in Ontario schools, DeGruchy also promoted the annual Thanksgiving Day classic between Sarnia and Balmy beach. He was an astute student of rules and constitutions, and in 1925, 1930, and 1935 DeGruchy was President of the Canadian Rugby Union. No other Canadian served football in as many capacities for as long as he did. Indeed, for over half a century, he was one of the great leaders in the game.