June 14 - The Austin Matthews Award is presented annually to those individuals who have contributed towards the development of interuniversity sport in Canada. Many key builders of university sport have been previously recognized by the CIS, including Keith Harris, Robert Hindmarch, Elizabeth Chard and Darwin Semotiuk to mention several past winners.

This year’s winner of the Austin Matthews Award is Joyce Fromson from the University of Manitoba. Her involvement and efforts as a director, administrator and leader at all levels of sport, be it locally, provincially and nationally, were instrumental in her winning the award. In addition, her belief in equity and her dedication towards building sport programs for children at the University of Manitoba also demonstrated her life devotion to promoting the true virtues of sport participation.

Joyce Fromson joined the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation Studies at the University of Manitoba in 1979. She was the founder (and Director) of Mini-University Children's Programs, Assistant Athletic Director, and Sports Information Director. She later became the Athletic Director (1983 - 1987) and was instrumental in raising the profile of women's sports and women's coaching at this time. At the same time she continued in the position of Director of Mini-University, a program that evolved from 70 children in the first year (1979) to more than 5400 children last summer (2001). In 1985, Joyce was named YMCA Woman of the Year. However, by 1987, Joyce's health required her to choose between the positions of Athletic Director and Director of Children's Camps. Until 1996 she continued to direct Mini-University making it a model that has been emulated throughout North America. Thank you Joyce for giving Winnipeg, Manitoba and the world such a great program.

She will be sadly missed.