Sarnia-born author brings Imperials football history home for Nov. 8 book launch

Barbara J. Smith will introduce her new book about the Sarnia Imperials at Sarnia Library, with a presentation drawing on her family’s connection to the team.

Sarnia-born author Barbara J. Smith will launch her new book about the Sarnia Imperials football team at Sarnia Library on Sunday, Nov. 8.

The launch takes place in the West Room from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., with a brief presentation at 3 p.m., according to Smith’s invitation.

Her book, The Promise of a Ring: A Rare Reveal of an Incredible Canadian Underdog Football Story, follows the amateur club’s pursuit of the Grey Cup and the place it held in Sarnia during the Depression.

The Imperials reached three Grey Cup finals in four years. They lost 4-3 to the Toronto Argonauts in Sarnia in 1933, then beat Regina 20-12 in 1934 and Ottawa 26-20 in 1936, according to the CFL’s historical records. This year marks the 90th anniversary of their second championship.

The history is personal for Smith: she says her father played for the Imperials in the 1930s.

“Everyone loves an underdog story!” Smith wrote in her announcement to the Journal. She describes the team’s success as a source of hope and determination during difficult economic times.

A bookseller listing identifies the book as a 238-page paperback published by Ardith Publishing in October 2026.

Smith is a retired principal and education author. In her invitation, she said the book had just been released and that she was returning to Sarnia for the launch.