Jack Pomfret was truly one of the great all-round athletes in BC sport history competing in ten sports. He excelled in basketball, baseball, fastball, football, hockey, rugby, and swimming, as well as enjoying boxing, lacrosse and soccer. He received offers from several professional clubs including the New York Yankees and the New York Rangers.
In swimming he held many age group senior Canadian native and open records and competed internationally. As a member of the University of Washington Huskies swim team, he was selected as a coast “All-Star”. He was named a member of the NCAA All-American swim team several times. In 1941, he set a world record in the 50-yard breaststroke.
Pomfret played on four national basketball championship winning team and was a member of the 1948 Canadian Olympic basketball team that competed at the London Olympic Games. He later coached the UBC Thunderbirds for fifteen years and served as an assistant coach for the 1956 Canadian Olympic basketball team.
In baseball, Pomfret made the all-star team every year he played in the Vancouver Senior City League. He played for the University of Washington and in the Edmonton Senior City League.
Pomfret played for his RCAF squadron team during WWII and also on the University of Washington squad. He later coached the UBC Thunderbirds football team for five years.
In ice hockey he played for the Vancouver Lions junior team and the Seattle McGregors of the Northeast Semi-pro League.
Pomfret later distinguished himself while serving on many national and international associations and committees. He stands as UBC’s longest serving coach for 37 years, between 1946 until 1987, coaching UBC football, men’s and women’s swimming and men’s and women’s basketball.
Pomfret is also inducted in the UBC Sports Hall of Fame. For his UBC biography, please visit www.ubcsportshalloffame.com