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The Bear community is deeply saddened by the passing of Rosemary Fri, M.A. 鈥�61, a trailblazing figure in women鈥檚 athletics at UNC, who passed away on August 11, 2024, at the age of 91.

Fri鈥檚 journey with UNC began in 1959 when she arrived in Greeley to pursue her master鈥檚 degree at what was then Colorado State College. A Southern California native, Rosemary鈥檚 passion for education and athletics was evident early on. She earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree from UCLA in 1955, and after teaching in California, she made her way to Greeley, where she would leave an indelible mark on the university and its Athletics programs.

In 1961, Fri joined UNC as a physical education instructor. Her dedication to advancing opportunities for women in sports was unwavering, and in 1965, she took on the role of coordinator of Women鈥檚 Athletics. Under her leadership, the program grew to include 10 sports, setting the stage for decades of success.

One of Fri鈥檚 most significant contributions was the creation and growth of UNC鈥檚 Women鈥檚 Tennis and Volleyball programs. In 1963, nine years before the implementation of Title IX, Fri created the Women鈥檚 Tennis program and served as its only head coach for 42 years. In 1967, she also established the UNC Volleyball program. Her foresight and determination paved the way for the successes that the volleyball team continues to enjoy today. As current volleyball head coach Lyndsey Oates remarked, 鈥淩osemary was a legend at UNC and truly a trailblazer for women鈥檚 sports. She was a wonderful mentor to me, and I was so blessed to coach alongside her in her last several years.鈥�

Fri鈥檚 impact extended beyond the tennis court and volleyball court. She was a mentor to countless student-athletes and colleagues, always giving more than expected and empowering those around her to succeed. Her dedication to her players and her passion for education earned her a place in the inaugural class of the UNC Athletics Hall of Fame in 1994.

Even after her retirement, Fri remained a steadfast supporter of UNC athletics, attending games and events, and continuing to inspire those around her. Her love for the university and the community was evident in everything she did.

In her memory, the Rosemary Fri Women鈥檚 Volleyball Scholarship endowment continues to support student-athletes, ensuring that her legacy of empowerment and excellence for female student-athletes lives on. Rosemary Fri will be remembered not only for her numerous achievements but also for her kindness, encouragement and unwavering dedication to others. She was, and always will be, a true pioneer.

This post was originally published in the Fall 2024 issue of the UNC Magazine.