Joyce Anderson Pfaff has been a pioneer in the growth of women’s athletics at Augsburg College. As the college’s first women’s athletic director (1972-88), she helped to establish varsity intercollegiate women’s athletics at the school -- both prior to and following the passage of the landmark Title IX law in 1972. She was the school’s first volleyball and gymnastics coach. During her tenure, several varsity intercollegiate sports were added for women -- volleyball and basketball were first, along with softball, gymnastics, tennis, track and field, cross country and soccer. The school has since added hockey, golf and swimming as women’s varsity sports. She received her bachelor’s degree from Augsburg in 1965, and later earned her master’s degree in physical education/health from the University of Minnesota. While an Augsburg student, she was a member of the Women’s Recreation Association -- an early precursor of intercollegiate athletics at Augsburg, with women’s teams competing against other schools in the Twin Cities. Pfaff joined the Augsburg health and physical education faculty in 1968, eventually earning the title of professor. She has served on numerous committees at Augsburg, including the Faculty Senate. In addition to her pioneering work for women’s athletics, she has also been an innovator in the classroom. For many years, Pfaff and her husband, Doug, taught a unique sailing course during the winter in the Virgin Islands. And in 2008-09, Pfaff taught physical education for four months at United International College in Zhuhai, China.
Inducted into Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991 … Received Augsburg Distinguished Alumni Award in 2009 … Member of Women's Recreation Association while an Augsburg student … Began a 43-year teaching career in Health and Physical Education at Augsburg in 1966, became Augsburg's first women's intercollegiate athletic director in 1972, serving until 1988 … Served as Augsburg's first volleyball and gymnastics coach, and led the establishment of basketball, softball, tennis, track & field, cross country and soccer as women's varsity intercollegiate sports … Also taught unique sailing course in the Virgin Islands with her husband, Doug, during winter interim … Taught and developed a fitness center at United International College in Zhuhai, China in 2008-09.
