Art Fry

Team: Boxing

Year Received: 1977

Bio: Art Fry was inducted to the Hall of Fame for his achievement as an athlete, coach and builder of boxing in the Yukon. He was born in Vancouver B.C. in 1912 and by age 16 he was a professional boxer.  He boxed professionally for two years in Vancouver and in 1929 moved to Dawson City.  By 1931 he was boxing again and distinguished himself as the Yukon/Alaska champion in several weight classes.  In 1941, Art retired from the ring as the undefeated champion of the Yukon.

Art was not only an athlete but was also a major driver and developer of boxing throughout the territory. In July 1969, he founded the Yukon Amateur Boxing Association in Dawson City and coached many young athletes at the recreational and competitive level. His contributions to boxing and to his community were recognized in 1980 when he was awarded the Lifestyle Award from the Government of Canada and later, in 1988, Art was presented with the Coach of the Year award from the Yukon Sports Federation (now Sport Yukon).  

Art further continued his contributions to the sport of boxing into his later years. In 1989, he established the Tagish Charlie Sports Fund where funds were used to pay club fees so that participation was free for all youth wanting to join. In 2004, the City of Dawson and the T’rondek Hwech’in First Nation partnered to form the Art Fry Boxing Club as part of their youth development programming.