Title: Joyce E. Fromson fonds.

Dates: 1962-1999.

Extent: 0.9 m of textual records. -- 34 photographs.

Biographical sketch: Joyce E. Fromson (nee Bender) was born March 16, 1939 in Winnipeg. In 1958, she graduated from Manitoba Teacher College and took her first job at St. Joseph’s Collegiate that fall. She taught girl’s physical education and health to Grades 7-12. In 1960, Fromson began a five year affiliation with Transcona Collegiate where she taught physical education and art as well as coaching girls' volleyball and basketball and a mixed track team. In 1964 & 1965, she attended the International Track & Field Camp at Guelph, Ontario.  From 1966-1970, she was the Director of Women’s Athletics at the University of Winnipeg. In 1972, she became the first woman in North America to be hired as a Sports Information Director of Men’s and Women’s Sport at the University of Calgary. While at the University of Calgary, she founded and directed sports camps for children. She returned to Manitoba in 1978 becoming the first Executive Director of Volleyball Manitoba. In 1979, Fromson began working at the University of Manitoba becoming the Director of Men’s and Women’s Sport. Following her success with children’s sports camps at Calgary, she initiated camps and Mini University at the University of Manitoba. In 1984, she wrote the manual on Mini University & Sports Camps. At a time of falling enrollment and financial cut backs these programs proved to be extremely popular.

Fromson received many awards including the Canadian 125th Anniversary Governor General’s Award for Contribution to Canada for her efforts in sport. She was appointed to the National Advisory Committee for Sports and Fitness in 1984. The following year she presented a paper at the World University Student Games in Kobe, Japan. That same year she was named the YMCA “ Woman of the Year.” In 1986, she won the YMHA Award for significant contribution to sport. In 1987, she became the first recipient of the Dave Anderson Award in recognition for Outstanding Service to the University of Winnipeg during her tenure there. Fromson died on April 10, 2001. In August 15, 2002, the University of Manitoba swimming pool in the Frank Kennedy Centre was named the Joyce Fromson Pool.

Custodial history: The fonds was donated to University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections by Ron Fromson in 2004.

Scope and content: The fonds consists of five series. They include biographical information, publications, correspondence, reports, budgets & agreements and instructor lists, manuals & publicity brochures.

Restrictions: Some material containing letters of reference and performance evaluations has been designated confidential.

Accruals: No further accruals to this fonds are expected.

Finding aid: An electronic finding aid is available at the link below:

MSS 187, PC 179 (A.04-87).