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Frances Winifred Roach

Playmaker Fran Captain of Women’s Basketball Team

Fran Roach starred in sports at Wolfville High School and at Acadia University. She was a member of the girls’ basketball team at the school. During the closing ceremonies for the 1931 year, the Wolfville Acadian reported that “Silver Athletic ‘Ws’” were given to members of the girls’ basketball team.” Fran Roach was among those honoured.

She entered Acadia University in 1932 and took two years of Arts, then switched to the Secretarial Science Diploma Program. At Acadia, she continued with her involvement in sports, and was on the tennis team and several class teams, notably softball and basketball. She is best remembered for her work on the basketball court. During her time on the team, the Acadia women enjoyed a string of provincial and Maritime intercollegiate championships. In 1937 with Roach as captain, Acadia went through the season without a loss and outscored their opponents 262 to 150. Roach was known particularly for her play-making ability and the so-called “punch line” of Roach, Ingraham and Elliott was considered to be the best combination in Maritime women’s basketball during the 1930s. Although she shared scoring honours with her line-mates, Roach was consistently a high scorer, contributing to her team’s outstanding achievements.

She received a Diploma in Secretarial Science in1937, worked as a secretary and later married.

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