How did you decide to attend W&L?
I visited W&L with a friend and her mother when I was in 10th grade – it was love at first sight! Playing lacrosse wasn’t my primary motivation to go to W&L but wow did it change my life and enrich my time!
What is your favorite W&L memory?
I have many favorites so this is hard to answer. I find it surprising how often my mind drifts to practices on the lacrosse field. There were so many days leading up to the season when we were putting in the work – good days and not so good – drills, wind sprints, playing in the rain, pushing each other, cheering each other on. I really loved that.
What role did your athletic experience play in your overall collegiate experience?
Playing lacrosse at W&L was such an integral part of my time – I had this wonderful community within a community. My teammates were my friends, and we enjoyed spending time with each other on the field and off. The more senior members of the team were great role models helping us navigate life as a student-athlete, and hopefully, our class paid that forward for those that came after. I’m pretty competitive so I can’t imagine not playing a sport – it was a great way to focus my energy and be a part of something of bigger. I also appreciated that as a D3 student-athlete I was able to get involved in Greek life in addition to logging many hours in the Science Building.
How did competing as a student-athlete prepare you for life after college?
Working as a team; setting goals; managing my time and priorities; building relationships; learning how to motivate each other and hold ourselves accountable. I think about this topic often given the work I do in graduate school admissions. These are transferable skills to all facets of life.
Who are some people from your time at Washington and Lee who have had the biggest impact/influence on you? Why?
I made lifelong friends during my 4 years – I am so close with the women I lived with and many of my teammates. It has been so rewarding to stay in touch as we moved on from W&L, launched our professional careers, started families, faced health and other challenges, celebrated milestones – I am so grateful for these friendships and the love and support we have for each other.
I vividly remember I raced Lindsay (Coleman) Groat to a groundball during fall ball – Lindsay was a senior and I was a freshman – I think I startled her with how aggressive I went after the ball. From that point on she, along with Nicole Ripken (captain), really challenged me to take my game to the next level.
We had a great senior season so it was even more special to have played all four years with Melissa, Mary Jo, Lorraine, Betsy, Emily, Susie and ALB (we’ll round up!). These women are true teammates and we accomplished a lot together.
Jan and Laurie were tremendous coaches; and speaking honestly, I feel like I have learned more lessons from both women after I graduated as I continue in my personal and professional life. The recent announcement that Jan will be inducted in to the IWLCA Hall of Fame is a tremendous recognition of the impact she has made in the lives of her lacrosse players, as well as the many student athletes at the school.
How has the experience for women competing in athletics changed since you first set foot on the W&L campus (at W&L or in general)?
Good question. I love that in some sports women athletes are getting equal billing as men. We still have some work to do. To compete at a high level at any sport takes incredible discipline, hard work, sacrifice – so no matter what your sex, race, gender identity or nationality, I have such respect for people’s commitment to their sport. I gained a tremendous amount of confidence from my time playing and have engaged with countless women who feel the same. Women’s lacrosse has gone through a LOT of changes since I played – the equipment (no more woodies!), restraining line (and sidelines for that matter), shot clock and more. It has always been this beautiful balance of finesse, skill and physicality. Charlotte North with Boston College is a thrill to watch - she and others are elevating the game and have helped raise awareness for the sport even further. I love that my husband and son follow the sport just as Lee and I do.
Tell us a bit about what life is like for you know? What are you up to professionally and personally?
My family and I live in Charlottesville, Va. My husband David and I have two amazing teenagers – our daughter Lee is a freshman in high school and our son Jones is in seventh grade. Lee and Jones play just about everything so weekends are spent on the road to tournaments and running everyone to and from practices and trainings. And we love it. My daughter plays lacrosse – so that’s pretty special - I tell her often that at 15 she is SO much better than I was in my final year at W&L!
I have been with the admissions office at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia for almost 15 years. My colleagues know all too well that I love interviewing the college athletes and may try to relive my glory days every now and again!
What is your proudest accomplishment since leaving Washington and Lee?
I am definitely proud of our family. And I am proud of the career I have built and my community engagement here in Charlottesville. I love working in education and seeing the impact it makes in students’ lives. I also love staying connected to the sport of lacrosse through coaching.
Do you stay connected with W&L and if so, how?
I primarily stay connected with friends - we have an annual gathering that helps us keep those college stories alive and well. We have visited for reunions and come back for some lacrosse and football games. And we donate to the annual fund.
What advice would you give to students that are just beginning their W&L athletics experience?
Paraphrasing the wise words of the incredible Tony Bennett (UVA Men’s Basketball coach) – you don’t have to like it every day but you do have to love it. It is an awesome opportunity to play athletics at the collegiate level so I would encourage students to make the most of it, be present and have fun! |
