THE DARLING SISTERS - EVA (‘23), ELSIE (‘25), AGNES (‘27), CHRISTINA (‘29): Eva, Elsie, Agnes, and Christina Darling were four sisters among the 12 children of the Darling family which moved to Woodsville, N.H., just after the First World War. The siblings were active youngsters and were very sports-minded, despite living on a farm and not having access to coaching and equipment.
What later became known as Plymouth State College was a two-year institution known as Plymouth Normal School when Eva Darling enrolled there in 1921. Eva took advantage of the limited athletic opportunities available for women, which included basketball. She excelled at the game and paved the way for the later arrivals of Elsie, Agnes, and Christina.
When Agnes began her career at PNS, the team had begun to excel and recorded a 9-0 record during the 1925-26 season. Agnes captained the team in 1927 and went 5-1 and the 1928-29 team, captained by Christina, was also undefeated.
All four of the Darlings were basketball captains for Plymouth before their respective graduations in 1923, '25, '27, and '29. The Darlings also remained active in athletics even after leaving Plymouth, as evidenced by Agnes’ exploits on the Haverhill (Mass.) YWCA team. Agnes lead her small-town YWCA squad to many surprising playoff victories in a major Boston tournament. Her Haverhill team was given a chance to play the University of New Hampshire Wildcat women’s team, and Agnes led the locals to a stunning 33-30 triumph over UNH.
Plymouth State is honored to be able to recognize all the Darling sisters by inducting them into its Athletic Hall of Fame.
