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cavalier sports 8 CAVALIER CORNER B rian and Sherry Ramsay's love story is also a UVA sports story. "I don't think we would have met if it wasn't for the student-athletes at Virginia," Brian said. Sherry's introduction to UVA Athlet- ics was her recruitment as a field hockey player. "When I was a first-year, the only start- ing position that was open was a right back position," Sherry recalled. "So, I played right back, the next two years I played midfield, and I ended my career on the forward line." Brian's introduction was more indirect. "Sherry was a player; I was more part of the cast," he stated. "One of my suitemates was a lacrosse player and my fraternity brother was a manager for the football team. "It was almost inevitable that we would meet. And we did. It really was through all these friends that were athletes." The Ramsays graduated in 1990, Brian with a BA in eco- nomics and Sherry with her BA in rhetoric and communications. The pair were married in May 1994. Today, Mrs. Ramsay serves as a trustee on the College Founda- tion Board and coaches field hockey at perennial Connecticut power Darien High School, win- ners of multiple conference and state titles. Mr. Ramsay is the President of Littlejohn & Company, a private equity and special situations firm headquartered in Greenwich, Conn. Though career and life have taken them away from Charlottesville, the Ramsays are still heavily involved with the univer- sity and Virginia Athletics. "We support both the college and the VAF," Brian noted. "We got involved with VAF quite early and have had a couple of very dear friends that worked for the VAF, so that kept the connection up as well." Among those VAF friends is Rob Schmalz, who served as a groomsman at the Ramsays' nuptials. According to the Ramsays, their support for VAF is not just about winning athletic programs. It goes deeper into building high-caliber young women and men. "Three of Sherry's field hockey team- mates, Julie Myers [Virginia], Jenny Levy [North Carolina] and Bonnie Rosen [Tem- ple] are college women's lacrosse head coaches," Brian said. "Julie and Jenny both have won national championships." "While I did not choose to play lacrosse at Virginia, I still am connected with them through our shared field hockey experi- ence," Sherry added. "I am so proud of the coaching legacy and the number of women they are empowering, and the next genera- tion of leaders they are touching by taking their experience from Virginia and passing it on." The Ramsays said the VAF's continued support of things they are passionate about, including academic and athletic success, integrity and the camaraderie formed through the entire Virginia experience, is why they continue to be proud supporters of the VAF. "I think for many students, successful athletic programs add to the quality of col- lege life," Brian said. "Graduating from Virginia, those are strong bonds. But in some ways, athletics are reasons to gather, whether it's a watching a game or going back to Charlottesville for a game, it's a way to stay connected. "The success of these programs gener- ates some real pride for current students and alumni." "When we give to the VAF, we know that we are giving to an honorable system of coaches and administration that values integrity as much as winning," Sherry added. "The integrity of the process is im- portant to us. "When you go back to being grounded in the honor system and the honor code, and just pushing yourself to be the best student-athlete, it's important to us to per- petuate that value." — Greg Waters Brian and Sherry Ramsay WAHOO NATION LEFT: Brian and Sherry, who played field hockey for the Cavaliers from 1986-89, met through mutual friends who also were athletes at UVA. ABOVE: The Ramsays got involved with the VAF quite early and continue to be proud supporters because the organization encourages things they are passionate about, such as academic and athletic success, integrity and the camaraderie formed through the entire Virginia experience. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE RAMSAYS