University of Toronto Athletics

Joan Griffith Fry was an athlete for all seasons. She participated in a variety of sports throughout her university career, but was best known for her skills as a hockey player. Called the 'Shining Star' of the St. Hilda's College hockey team, she was a talented right winger with a good scoring touch. Joan helped lead St. Hilda's to two inter-faculty championships in 1938-39 and 1939-40 and served as team captain from 1937-39. At this time, inter-faculty play was the highest level of competition for women's hockey at the University of Toronto. Joan also competed as a member of the intercollegiate ski team, which placed first and second over McGill and three eastern U.S. colleges during two years of competition.

In addition to her hockey success, Joan played inter-faculty basketball for four years; was a member of the swimming and diving team for three years - winning the diving championship one year; a tennis player for two years; a badminton player for one; and a championship skier. She enjoyed playing sports and was active in organizing sporting and college activities. As a president of the St. Hilda's Athletic Association, Joan was central to ensuring athletic opportunities were made available to students at the college.

Following her graduation, Joan was a member of the Women's Service Training Detachment (WSTD) 1940-41 and she later served as Headmistress of the Bishop Strachan School in the late 1950s to early 1960s.