Coleen Dufresne was named Athletic Director at the University of Manitoba on June 8, 2001.

Dufresne took over from Walt McKee who had held the position since 1993.

Dufresne was no stranger to the University of Manitoba and the C.I.S. as she has been the Head Coach of the women's basketball team here for the past 17 years, a tenure that saw her win three National Championships (1987-88, 1994-95, 1995-96).

Dufresne was also a three time C.I.S. Coach of the Year award winner, receiving the honour twice as Head Coach of the Bisons (1987-88,1997-98) and once as the Head Coach at the University of New Brunswick (1982-83).

In addition to her head coaching duties, Dufresne also served as the assistant Athletic Director for the past eight years, so the transition to Athletic Director was a perfect fit for both Dufresne and the Athletics Department.

A former member of Canada's women's basketball team, she participated at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal and was an assistant coach with the National program, most recently in 1999 when Canada claimed the Silver medal at the Pan American Games.

On May 4, 2005, Dufresne was named one of 10 winners at the 29th annual YMCA-YWCA Women of Distinction Awards Dinner. She was selected as an award winner in the category of Recreation, Sport & Active Living.

At the 2007 Summer Universiade (World University Games) in Bangkok, Thailand, Dufresne was a member of the CIC (International Control Commission) within FISU (International University Sports Federation). The commission was charged with verifying the eligibility of all participants at the Universiade.