Hired in 1967 to develop Laurentian University's women's athletics programming, Professor Emerita Dr. Patricia Pickard, has devoted more than five decades to teaching, coaching and inspiring countless students and student athletes. Pickard's career at Laurentian is more than just a testament to longevity - it is a powerful reminder of the profound impact one individual can have on generations of learners.
"When I first came to work at Laurentian, I didn't expect to stay more than a couple of years," said Pickard with a smile. At the time, Laurentian was a word Pickard associated with mountains, rather than a University. "I didn't know much about Sudbury apart from it being a mining town but the University was working to build its physical education program, I was encouraged to apply, and here we are over fifty years later."
The product of an athletic family, Pickard grew up in the Maritimes and earned her undergraduate degrees at the University of New Brunswick, where she played basketball, volleyball and badminton at a national level. This helped lay the foundation for her to become a mentor to future generations of competitive student athletes.
"It's all about the students and understanding the student experience," said Pickard, who taught at the high school level for two years before the pursuit of her Master's degree at Western University. "If I was going to teach at a University, I had to understand where the kids are coming from, so that was a real plus."
For Pickard, who taught in the School of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, her early years at Laurentian were foundational. "There was a lot going on, and there was a lot to do, and don't forget that in those days, there really wasn't the development of women's sports, as there is now." Recognizing the challenges and limitations faced by women in athletics at the time, Pickard became a driving force in changing that narrative; she was a visionary who understood the potential of women's sports and was determined to create more opportunities for female athletes to thrive.
"I became the first women's Athletic Director in Canada," said Pickard, who worked tirelessly to ensure that female athletes were given the same respect, recognition, and resources as their male counterparts. Whether through advocating for better facilities, creating training programs, or helping to establish competitive networks, Pickard played a fundamental role in the development of women's sports at Laurentian and beyond. It was her efforts that solidified Laurentian's membership to the Ontario University Athletics Association (OUA) and U SPORTS at the national level. These efforts also catalyzed other opportunities for Pickard, such as opportunities to work and conduct research at the Pan American and Olympic Games. In the 1980s, she found herself in Australia where she conducted her PhD research (University of Boston) on the topic of crowd behaviour in sporting events, with emphasis on violence, aggressive behavior, and facilities.
In addition to her work with thousands of students and student athletes, and her impressive research contributions, Pickard is passionate about fostering alumni connections. She was Chair of the School of Human Kinetics' 50th Reunion committee, as is she currently working with her peers and the Alumni office in support of a variety of upcoming events, including the Sports Psychology program's 25th Anniversary, which will be celebrated later this year.
"Laurentian truly is one of a kind," said Pickard when speaking about the University's unique appeal. "Our campus is beautiful, and it's very different from what other institutions have to offer." For Pickard who has "loved teaching and coaching all these years," it's not only the picturesque landscape that makes Laurentian so special, but the people who continue to believe in the University and in its future.
"I have really tried to stay away from some of the issues of the past," said Pickard when discussing Laurentian's restructuring - an event that impacted Pickard and many of her peers. "But we weren't involved in those decisions and there's still a lot of good folk here at the University who care about its students and its future . I've had some great conversations with President Wells who is doing everything that she can to regain confidence in the University within the community . Things are changing and I think for the better."
Dr. Pickard was recognized by Laurentian University in 2018, for fifty years of service. She has earned multiple awards in teaching and in administration. Other accolades include her induction into Greater Sudbury Kinsmen's Sports Hall of Fame, and the Province of Ontario's Achievement award in coaching. She has served as President of the Ontario Women's Interuniversity Athletic Association, and has chaired many OUA Championship events. Her contributions have made a lasting imprint on Laurentian's history and the many lives she has positively impacted along her journey.
