Inductees

It’s hard to believe these days, but years ago there were few, if any, opportunities for girls to compete in high school sports.

In fact, it wasn’t until passage of federal Title IX legislation when high schools began to open the doors to gymnasiums and other venues to allow girls to field teams. While the legislation required public schools and universities to offer athletic opportunities for girls, private schools followed suit.

Notre Dame de Sion High School in Kansas City was among them, and organized a girls golf team in the mid-1970s. Then, in the fall of 1978, Sion found itself in the thick of the state tournament, ultimately placing fourth.

Talk about foreshadowing. In time, it became a state tournament regular – and always a threat to win a state championship – as its teams finished in the top four 25 times. And it’s why the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame proudly inducted the Notre Dame de Sion Girls Golf Program with the Class of 2020.

Sion’s success features nine state championships and 16 other top four finishes.

The state championships cover 1986, 1987, 1989, 2001, 2002, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. Only St. Joseph’s Academy out of St. Louis has more state titles, with 10.

Sion also has finished as the state runner-up nine times: 1988, 1991, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020. That figure is actually the most in state history since 1987.

The 1985, 1992, 2003, 2012 and 2013 teams placed third, and the 2005 team was fourth.

Individually, Sion has eight individual state championships won by Kelly Cooper (1988, 1989), Emily Hoeper (2000, Class 3-4), Ellen Hoeper (2002, Class 2), Celeste Gassman (2008 co-medalist) and Megan Propeck (2017 & 2018 in Class 2, 2020 in Class 4).

Jon Crook coached the 1987 team, while Dennis Conaghan led the 1985 squad. Dana Hoeper (MSHOF 2020) coached for 21 seasons, from the fall of 2000 to the fall of 2020, leading the program to six state championships.

The mid- to late 1980s showed what Sion could be. The 1985 through 1989 teams all were at least in the top three, including three state titles, a runner-up and a third-place finish.

Hoeper is the winningest girls golf coach in state history, with six state titles. She has taken 20 teams to the state tournament.

To Hoeper, support from many has helped the program remain a force.

“I have been very blessed with all the support I have received from Sion,” Hoeper said. “The school has never backed away from allowing us to enter competitions, and the teachers have been, for the most part, supportive of the girls.”

Blue Hills Country Club and Minor Park have been Sion’s home courses over the years.

“Both have been instrumental in our program,” Hoeper said. “They have allowed me to host tournaments and matches and the staff at both places have been incredibly supportive of the girls.”

Another factor? Parents.

“As for my parents, they have been fantastic,” Hoeper said. “Hosting dinners, helping with uniforms, bringing snacks and drinks for the players as well as doing anything to support their daughters. It was a parent who started our annual parent /daughter event, which we still do every year.”