Pezer, Vera (1939-)

Vera Pezer, December 1982.

Jeff Vinnick (Saskatchewan Archives Board) S-SP-A19532-5, Saskatoon StarPhoenix fonds

Vera Pezer is well known for her contributions in sports and her administrative career at the University of Saskatchewan. Born on January 13, 1939, she was raised in Meskanaw. Her academic degrees are from the University of Saskatchewan: BA in English (1962); MA in Psychology (1964); and PhD in sports psychology (1977). In 2001 she retired from a 35- year career there that began in student counseling in 1966 and focused upon student relations. Numerous administrative positions included a ten-year stint as Associate Vice-President, Student Affairs and Services. Outstanding in sports, Pezer led the Saskatoon Imperials to national fastball championships in 1969 and 1970. She is also a golfer, but is primarily known in curling. Pezer skipped her rink to three consecutive Canadian Ladies Curling Championships, from 1971 to 1973, a record that still stands. Her team is in the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame, and provincial and Saskatoon Sports Halls of Fame. Pezer also coached the Canadian Junior Curling Championship rink in 1975, and has been the sports psychologist for the Canadian curling team at two Olympic Games. In 2003 she published The Stone Age: A Social History of Curling on the Prairies. She has served on a numerous (mainly sports-related) boards—local, provincial, and national. She has won many awards, and an award for student volunteers was named after her. Pezer lives in Saskatoon.

Bob Ivanochko

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