• Outstanding competitor in track and basketball (1943-47).
• Leading scorer on the 1946 U of A women's basketball team that won the senior women's championship.
• Active member in the administration of the U of A Women's Athletic Association (WAA); served as president in 1946-47.
• Served in the formation of the U of A's first Athletic Board and proposed the name "Pandas," which was adopted as the team name for all U of A women's athletic programs.

The outstanding contribution of Vera Hole to the University of Alberta and to her community is unique. Born in Edmonton in 1924, Vera enrolled in the University of Alberta in 1943 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Household Economics in 1947.

In her first year of studies she joined the varsity track and basketball teams and quickly gained a reputation as one of the premier basketball players in Western Canada. It was in her second season with the "Varsity" Basketball team that Vera suggested the name "Pandas" be adopted by the team. This continues to be a tradition in the women's athletic programs at this University.

A graduate of Victoria High School in Edmonton, Vera dominated women's basketball with her excellent shooting, rebounding and ball handling skills. Her talent as a scorer set her apart from opponents and teammates alike. This talent was the major factor in the success of Panda teams during the mid 1940's. The highlight of her outstanding varsity basketball career came in 1946 when the Pandas captured the Cecil Race Trophy and the Senior Women's Interuniversity Basketball Championship.

During her four years of study at the University of Alberta, Vera was involved actively in the administration aspect of varsity athletics. In 1943 she was the Freshman Representative on the Women's Athletic Association (W.A.A.), a body which was responsible for the organization of varsity sports and student activities. She continued her involvement with the W.A.A. as both the Faculty Sports Representative and Secretary and was elected President in 1946-47. Her other involvements included Manager of Interfaculty Basketball, two years on Student's Council and Secretary of the Awards Committee in 1945. With her varied background and outstanding work ethic, it is no surprise that in her senior year, she was instrumental in the formation of the first University Athletic Board (U.A.B.). She served this fledgling Board as its first secretary.

After her graduation in 1947, Vera completed her curricular requirements at Eaton's in Toronto as a commercial dietetics intern. While in Toronto she joined a senior basketball team and continued her playing career. Vera returned to Edmonton in 1949 where she joined the staff of the Hudson's Bay Company as their restaurant dietician. She remained in this position for three years before being wed to her husband Alan in 1952.

Vera continued her participation in both sport and community work following the birth of her son and two daughters. Some of these activities included; instructing in Red Cross Swimming programs; coaching girls basketball at McDougall Junior High School in Edmonton from 1969 to 1972; participating in the Crestwood Curling and Tennis Clubs; membership in the Edmonton House Primary Chapter of the IODE since 1940; serving as Director of Pioneer Partners, Telephone Pioneers of America; and lay-person representative on the Interview Committee for applicants to the School of Physical Therapy at the University of Alberta.