University of Toronto Athletics

Jean Atkinson was a leader on the ice for the University of Toronto’s Varsity women’s hockey team and will be remembered for her commitment to U of T athletics, not only as an athlete, but as a tireless student leader and administrator as well.

A native of Embro, Ontario, a small farming community 25 miles east of London, Jean ventured to Toronto and quickly became a key member of the U of T women’s hockey dynasty of the 1930s. Between 1930 and 1936 U of T captured six of a possible seven championships and Jean was an integral part of the titles from 1934 through to 1936.

U of T earned the Women’s Intercollegiate Athletic Union (WIAU) title in 1934 and was city league champion in 1935 and 1936, with Jean, a Silver T recipient, leading the way as team captain of the 1934-35 squad.
Jean, a University College graduate, was a leader and committed administrator with UC athletics, including serving as the athletic director in 1934-35. She also participated for UC in inter-faculty competition in basketball, ice hockey and tennis.

The experience at UC served Jean well, as she also played a major role on the U of T Women’s Athletic Association (WAA) Directorate in both 1934-35 and 1935-36.

Jean enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in October 1941 and died in an airplane accident near Calgary on Nov 23, 1944.