In the late 1970s and early 1980s, women’s athletics was
growing and expanding at WPI. Janet “Scoop” Hammarstrom
played a large role in the successful development of the field
hockey, women’s basketball, and softball programs here at the
university.
Arguably, Hammarstrom was at her best on the softball diamond.
Her sophomore year of 1978 saw the program reach varsity status.
The Engineers were 9-1 in the regular season and, with
Hammarstrom’s bat in the middle of the lineup, registered
15.6 runs per game. The team finished third at the state
tournament.
Success continued in her junior campaign as she led the team
with a .405 batting average and an 11-3 record and a second-place
finish in the season-ending MAIAW Tournament. The winning continued
as a senior in 1980, as the Crimson and Gray emerged victorious in
10-of-13 outings that spring Hammarstrom hit at a .326 clip.
On the basketball court, Hammarstrom was a four-year
letter-winner at center. She played on the first varsity team in
1976-77 and helped the Engineers defeat the likes of Assumption,
Brandeis, and Bryant en route to an 11-4 debut mark. After
defeating Stonehill in the MAIAW quarterfinals, the Crimson and
Gray fell to Mount Holyoke in the semifinals, 45-42.
WPI was 12-3 the following year with another MAIAW semifinal
appearance. The next two seasons saw Hammarstrom continue to start,
with the defensive-minded center averaging seven points per game
during her senior year of 1979-80.
“Janet was a gifted athlete who could play any sport she
wanted to - and she did for WPI,” says her Hall of Fame Coach
Sue Chapman. “Her dedication and commitment was instrumental
in laying the groundwork for the women's athletic program of
today."
Hammarstrom was at the forefront in helping to form the first
field hockey team at WPI. Field hockey did not become a varsity
program until after she graduated, but she was a valuable piece of
the club teams that led to the formation of the varsity squad.
“Janet was a very strong, dependable athlete who excelled
on and off the field at WPI,” says Hall of Fame teammate
Michele (Giard) Hanly. “As her nickname will attest, she was
always “scooping” up the ball either for a basket or an
out, or to defend our goal. She was the kind of player that anyone
would want as a teammate. Fortunately for WPI, her dedication and
loyalty to the women’s athletics program at WPI continues
today.”
A native of Worcester, Janet earned three degrees in chemical
engineering from WPI, a BS with high distinction in 1980, an MS in
1982, and a PhD in 1987. She has worked at Saint-Gobain (formerly
Norton Co.) for 27 years, holding various engineering positions in
R&D and, more recently, in abrasives manufacturing as a senior
project engineer. She holds several patents in abrasive technology.
In her free time, she remains dedicated to physical fitness and
sports, and enjoys working out, running, water skiing, and
kayaking, among other activities.
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