Harold L. “Hal” Pawson was born in Regina, Saskatchewan in 1916 and worked for the following newspapers: Regina-Leader Post, the Sudbury Star, the Vancouver News-Herald, and United Press International. In 1941, he moved to Edmonton to work for the Edmonton Journal and in 1942, joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and served overseas as a navigator-bombardier with a Mosquito squadron. In September of 1946, he returned to the Edmonton Journal, becoming sports editor in 1953. His passion and dedication to football led his name to be synonymous with football journalism in Edmonton.

Claudia Cleo Mae Sievers was born December 20, 1918 in Edmonton, the second child of Claudius and Louise Sievers. She attended school at King Edward and then Scona high schools, and also formed a young Ladies Social Club called the D Delta Ds who organized dances and parties. Hal and Claudia met in the 1940s when Hal started at the Edmonton Journal. They were married on June 28, 1948.

Hal worked as a public relations officer for the City of Edmonton’s Industrial Development Department beginning in 1966, and from 1968-1976 was head of public relations for the City of Edmonton. Starting in 1972, he played a major role in Edmonton’s successful bid to host the 1978 Commonwealth Games. He went on to serve as the director of the Commonwealth Games Foundation until the end of the Games. In 1979, he retired from the City of Edmonton to become director of public relations for Baker Lovick Ltd, and advertising agency.

He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and Museum, Football Reporters of Canada wing in 1983, was a founding member of the Football Reporters of Canada from its inception in 1960, and was named their man of the year in 1974.

Claudia accompanied Hal while he promoted K-days, covered Grey Cups, and while researching for the Commonwealth Games in New Zealand.

Hal passed away in 1981, shortly after starting his own business, Hal Pawson Consulting. Claudia passed on July 10, 2010.

The fonds includes sports sections of newspapers, newspaper clippings, correspondence, cards, a journal, a book documenting Edmonton’s successful bid for the 1978 Commonwealth Games dedicated to Hal, certificates, speeches, dance cards, administrative records of Hal Pawson Consulting, and plans for the Commonwealth Games.

Photographs depict R.C.A.F members, a Navy Officer, a trip Claudia took to Vancouver, leisure activities, and events surrounding the bid for the Commonwealth Games in Edmonton. One vinyl record is of Hal Pawson interview after the Grey Cup in 1956, and the other is titled “Newsroom Nocturne,” and features, among others, a colleague of Hal’s from the Edmonton Journal, Art Evans.