Rosemary Bellini, 1953

Induction: 1996 

National Four-Wall Champion: 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1987, 1988

National Three-Wall Champion: 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991

Rosemary Bellini was the first Women’s Champion in 1980, and successfully defended her title for four of the first five years of the event. No one has dominated handball like Rosemary Bellini controlled the Women’s field in the early ’80s. An excellent athlete, Rosemary also excelled at softball.

An aggressive front-court shooter, Rosemary’s strength was her strong right hand and court savvy. That style carried over to three- and one-wall play, where she powered her way past her competition for many years.

As the first Women’s champion, it was most appropriate that Rosemary was the first female inducted to the Handball Hall of Fame at a gala affair in Denver.