Genevieve “Jenny” Golab was a standout multisport athlete in the 1930s. She is particularly remembered as one of Canada’s finest basketball players of her generation.

Born in Windsor on April 25, 1913, Golab attended Kennedy Collegiate, where she starred in several sports. Golab competed in softball, basketball, and track and field, achieving great success in each.

At the 1930 WSSA track meet, Golab won a gold medal in the 100-yard dash to go with silvers in the high jump and shot put events. The following year, she took home a pair of silver medals in the 100-yard dash and broad jump. In 1933, she won gold in the 100-yard dash with a time of 12.6 seconds. She also took bronze in both the high jump and shot put, which was enough to secure her the overall Senior Individual Champion trophy.

Golab’s best sport, though, was basketball. She played on three straight Senior Girls All-Ontario basketball champions between 1931 and ’33. In 1932, she also played for the Windsor YWCA team, which won the Ontario Intermediate championship.

With the Windsor Alumnae Senior team, Golab won another hat trick of titles. Golab’s team won the Ontario and Eastern Canadian basketball titles in 1934, ’35, and ’36. The club reached the Canadian Finals each year, falling eventually to legendary Edmonton Grads teams in 1934 and ’35. The following year, the Alumnae finally prevailed and were crowned Canadian Senior Basketball Champions. No Windsor team had ever the national title in women’s basketball.

Golab also played a leading role with the Windsor Silverwoods softball team, which won the Ontario Softball Title in 1936.

Genevieve Golab passed away on November 13, 1989