Anna Pendergast Stammberger became a two-time All Canadian, three-time AUS all-star, twice AUS MVP, and a USport silver (1980) and bronze (1982) medallist. She was a 10-year member of the national women’s team and captain for three years, and an Olympic athlete (1984). She was named winner of Dal’s Class of ’55 Award for outstanding female athlete in 1982-83.

John Bowness, coach at Kensington (PEI) High, told Stammberger she shouldn’t go to University of New Brunswick because that team was a dynasty and she wouldn’t get a look. He told her to go to Dalhousie where they were rebuilding and she “might” make the team. At Dal, coach Carolyn Savoy gave her limited playing time in year one (1978-79). Stammberger tried out for the junior national team in 1980, was cut, but made the senior team in 1982 and for the next decade.

Year two (1979-80) at Dal was her breakout year. She shot baskets every morning before class. In her five years at Dal, Stammberger shot 50 percent, averaged 13.8 ppg, including 22.7 ppg in her final season.

In 1981, Coach Savoy called national senior women’s coach Don MacRae to suggest a couple of AUS players and mentioned Stammberger. MacRae picked 10 players and four alternates for the eventual 12-person 1982 squad, with Stammberger as an alternate. She made the final 12. MacRae told her not to expect to play (in exhibitions and the world tournament); that she’d be a practice player. However, she got a few minutes early in a Taiwan tournament, and, because of her drive and work habits, became the first off the bench.

Stammberger was told to go home and become a guard, not a post player. She did, even though she was the biggest player on the 82-83 Tigers. That work ethic shone between 1983 and 1985 when, her varsity career ended, Stammberger practiced with University of King’s College men’s teams, and played in a men’s league. She needed the physical competition that would enhance her national team career and later enable her to play professionally in Germany where she led her league in scoring four times. Her highlights include making a new level when she was told she couldn’t; finishing second at USport nationals in 1980 at Halifax Metro Centre; helping Canada qualify for, and then playing in, the Olympics in 1984; and, winning world bronze with Canada in 1986.

Now head coach of the Dal Tigers women’s team, Stammberger had earlier experience coaching professionally in Germany and as a high school coach in Kensington.