SSHoF logo1969 Saskatoon Imperials

Team (1988)

Softball

Canadian Senior Women's Softball Champions

1969 Saskatoon ImperialsThe Saskatoon Imperials became a growing threat starting in 1966. In 1967 and in 1968 they were runner-up in the Canadian championships. In 1969, they won all of their 25 games in their league schedule, using entirely local talent. There was no provincial play-off as no one challenged them to the right to represent the province.

That year they were Saskatchewan's representative to the Canadian Summer Games in Halifax and in the round robin placed third. In the play-offs they unfortunately lost to Toronto. After the Games, they flew directly from Halifax to the Canadian championships in Port Erie. In the 10-team tournament, they defeated Toronto to win the Canadian championship. Pitcher Joan Duprey was awarded the most valuable player award in Canada. Selected to the All-Star Teams were Joan Drummond, third base; Joy Barrie, second base; Val Jensen, centre field; and Ann Hopkins, catcher.

This team earned the right to travel to the world championships in Osaka, Japan in 1970.

This team travelled to the Canadian Championships for five successive years and pioneered excellence in softball in Saskatchewan through that era.

The 1969 Saskatoon Imperials were inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame.

Back row: Gail (Hopkins) Cooper (Head Coach/Manager), Myrna Lewis **, Judy Jenkin **, Ann (Hopkins) Hanson, Sheila Rowan, Joan Drummond, Brenda Will, Joy Barrie, Judy Knoll, Bob Stayner ** (Assistant Coach).
Second row:Marlene Ackerman, Val Fawcett, Illa Shore, Val Jensen, Judy Garman.
Front row:Tanya Clark (Bat Girl), Vera Pezer (Captain), Joan (Duprey) Cunningham. Missing: Carol Debnam.

** Deceased