Shirley (Pelland) Boucher
Graduating class: 1948
Inducted into Hall of Fame: 2002
Hall of Fame Category: Athlete
At a time when participation in girls' athletics was not the norm and girls were hardly recognized, Shirley Boucher was a star. She belonged to the Girls' Athletic Association at FHS and was President in her senior year, the same year that league play began for the girls.
Shirley played field hockey for all four years at FHS and was the team's center and team captain in 1947. Competition included games against Bourne, Dartmouth and Wareham.
It was on the basketball court that Shirley found the most success. She played four years: two with the junior varsity and two with the varsity. Shirley was a player who helped Fairhaven to enjoy successful varsity seasons in her junior and senior years. In her senior season she co-captained the squad. At the time, girls' basketball played under different rules than boys and statistics are hard to come by, since no records were kept.
Shirley was also a four-year softball player, playing with the varsity in her junior and senior seasons and serving as co-captain. An infielder, usually at short-stop or third base, Shirley was among the team leaders in batting and had an occasional tum on the mound.
As a member of the GAA, Shirley also participated on the bowling and swimming teams.
She may be considered as one who helped paved the way for girls' sports programs at FHS today.