Marilyn Pomfret (1932 – 2019) is one of the most celebrated of UBC Physical Education (Kinesiology) graduates. She has been inducted into the British Columbia Sports Hall of Fame, UBC Sports Hall of Fame, named a YWCA Woman of Distinction and is a recipient of a UBC Alumni Association Achievement Award.
A 1954 UBC graduate, Marilyn taught high school, primarily in West Vancouver, for nine years. She then returned to UBC to teach in the Department of Physical Education at the same time taking on the position of Head Coach of UBC’s women’s volleyball team. During her eleven years as a coach she guided her team to three Western Canadian championships and two CIS titles including UBC’s first in women’s volleyball.
While teaching and coaching at UBC Marilyn assumed the role of UBC’s women’s athletic director where she became acknowledged as a true “Builder.” Her dedication to the principals of equality and co-operation led to more athletic opportunities for female athletes, more women participating and more equal funding.
On the Board of Directors of both Canada West and CIS Athletic Associations, Marilyn, in 1986, was awarded the Austin-Matthews Award for outstanding contribution to the development of university sport in Canada.
UBC’s most prestigious female athletic award, given to the year’s outstanding female athlete, was in 1985 re-named in Marilyn Pomfret’s honour.
Marilyn and her late husband Jack continued to be active after retirement in curling and were often seen at UBC events such as Big Block/Hall of Fame where she presented her annual award.
Marilyn is featured as one of Education’s 100 as part of the UBC Faculty of Education’s Year of Alumni celebrations.
