University of Toronto Athletics

From 1941 to 1944, basketball and track and field standout Joan Davis offered the University of Toronto campus a respite from the uncertain times created by the events of World War II.

With intercollegiate play suspended during the War, Joan was a member of the All-Varsity basketball team from 1941-43 which helped to build community spirit through participation in a variety of tournaments with other all-star teams from across the province, and the university's intramural basketball league where she led the physical education squad to a pair of titles.

Joan's interfaculty efforts were not limited to the hardwood. She was also an important part of the P.H.E. track and field, baseball, hockey, and volleyball teams, with the volleyball team also capturing two interfaculty crowns.

Three years after her graduation, Joan returned to the university's basketball program as a coach of the 1947-48 team. She also continued her involvement with provincial basketball by conducting many Ontario officials’ training workshops and worked diligently as an editor for the Canadian Women's Basketball Rulebook from 1963-67.

On the track, Joan was a decorated long jumper, winning the Canadian Championship in 1941, and placing in the Top 10 for high jumpers in 1941-42. These finished should have earned Joan a place on the Canadian Olympic team in 1940, but these games were cancelled due to the outbreak of the War and she never again had the opportunity to participate on the sporting world's most coveted stage.

Undaunted Joan Davis continued her participation in athletics and recreation as a teacher at East York Collegiate.