Houston
Stars
The Official Gridball Site
The Texian's Story
The Texas Gridball Federation came into being in 1949 with three teams entering the inaugural US Championship in 1950. Teams from San Antonio and Dallas were quickly eclipsed by the side from Houston, who were granted the professional franchise in 1954. Combining players from all three teams, The Houston Stars took to the court at the Sam Heuston Coliseum for the first time the following year, in the designated club colour of Dark Teal.
From their very first season the Texians threw down the gauntlet that the Yanks were coming to take the Europeans crown. They became the first American team to reach the Quarter Finals in the debut season and topped it two years later by becoming the first Americans to reach The Supergrid. Alas the nervous Stars were outclassed on the day in a five goal mauling to West Ham. They were the only American team to reach the ultimate game in the 1950s.
Houston Stars
Supergrid Finalists 1956
Cup - Prelim 1960
Formed 1949
Colours: Dark Teal
Feeder Teams: Dallas Cowgirls, San Antonio Side-saddles, Forth Worth Long Horns, El Paso Oilers, Galveston Oleanders
Supergrid Runners Up: 1956
Home Arena: Sam Heuston Coliseum {9,500}
Previous homes: None
Record Appearances:
Sonia Stricklyn {Crowder} {97} {1954-}
Record Elite Scorer:
Barbara Hoffman {Graham} {115} {1954-}
Record Victory
10-0 vs Atlanta {13th June 1959}
Record Defeat
0-9 at Los Angeles {5th May 1956}
Most Goals in a Game
{7} Barbara Hoffman {10-0 vs Atlanta - Demotion play-off 13th June 1959}
Most Elite Goals in a Season
{32} Barbara Hoffman {1958} {Silver Bat}
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Season History
1954 Quarter Finalists
1955 First Round
1956 Runner Up
1957 First Round
1958 Quarter Finalists
1959 First Round
1960 Ninth - Cup Preliminary Round
1961 Elite Division - Through to last 16 of the Cup
Players of the Year
None
Young Players of the Year
Runner Up - Margaret Rogers {1960}
Third place - Sandra Glenn {1960}
Team of the Season
None
Golden Bat
None
Silver Bat
Barbara Hoffman {32} {1958}
Bronze Bat
None
Nations Cup Champions
Loretta Racioppi {United States 1959}
International Representatives
Loretta Racioppi {United States 1959-1960}
Houston Starting Seven
1st July 1961
1-1 vs Cork
Pat Fuller:
Netminder:
Age: 22
Born: Guilford, North Carolina
Rated: {4} Very Good
Joined from North Carolina 1961
Jean Kent
Coach:
Age: 39
Born: Stoke-On-Trent, England
Rated: {2} Respected
From Stoke 1957, Took Stars to 1958 Quarter Finals
Helena Moreno
Left Guard:
Age: 19
Born: Houston
Rated: {4} Very Good
Joined from school
Margaret Rogers {Comer}:
Right Guard:
Age: 21
Born: Houston
Rated: {7} Star
Member of Supergrid '56 team
Katherine St John:
Centre
Age: 21
Born: Los Angeles, California
Rated: {5} Excellent
Joined from Manhattan 1961
Margaret Brent:
Sweeper:
Age: 23
Born: Houston
Rated: {4} Very Good
Played in Supergrid '56
Loretta Racioppi
Attacker:
Age: 24
Born: Union, New Jersey
Rated: {5} Excellent
Nations Champion {1959 USA}, joined from Newark 1959.
1961 Team Rating: Very Good
1961 WORLD RANKING: 14
Highest - 14, 1961
Barbara Hoffman {Graham}:
Attacker:
Age: 24
Born: Houston
Rated: {4} Very Good
Joined from School 1954, Missed Supergrid '56 with injury, 1958 Silver Bat.