Mary Roby papers

Mary Roby was born in Miami, Arizona in 1926. She was a member of the Chi Omega sorority as an undergraduate student at the University of Arizona where she majored in Physical Education, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in 1948. She attended Smith College where she earned a Master of Science in Physical Education in 1949. Mary Roby graduated from the University of Southern California in 1971 with a Ph.D. in Physical Education with a concentration in sports history and administration.

She began her career as a physical education teacher and athletics coach at the University of Texas in 1949. In 1959, she accepted a position as Physical Education Instructor, Director of the Women’s Recreation Association, and athletics coach at the University of Arizona. She was an athletics administrator at the University of Arizona for 30 years, retiring in 1989.

During her tenure at the University of Arizona, Mary Roby was named the first Director of Athletics for Women in 1972 and became Associate Athletic Director for men’s and women’s athletic programs in 1982. She was a full professor in the Department of Exercise and Sports Sciences and propelled women’s athletics at the University of Arizona from intramural sports to the Intermountain, Western Collegiate Athletic Association, Pacific-West and Pacific-10 Conferences. She served on many committees at the conference level, including as Chair of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Women’s Committee on Committees from 1985-1986 and Pacific-10 conference Vice President from 1987-1988. As a professor and administrator, Mary Roby published and presented at the national, regional, state and university level. She was married to Fred Roby, a professor emeritus in the Department of Exercise and Sports Sciences at the University of Arizona.

Mary Roby received numerous awards and honors in recognition of her leadership role in women’s athletics. She was inducted into the University of Arizona Mortar Board Hall of Fame in 1981, which recognizes outstanding leadership and service. After her retirement, she was inducted into the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics Hall of Fame in 1995. She continued to serve on committees and was an active member of University of Arizona athletics until her death on 30 January 2012.