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DECEMBER 2020 27 women's basketball team and for all women's teams, really pushed us forward. "About 10 years later, times got tough and the department consid- ered 'tiering' and/or cutting some of our programs, but the VAF Board and Board of Visitors supported not only keeping all of our teams at Vir- ginia, but they voted to fully fund all of our teams — women's teams included. This was huge! "Women's teams eventually moved out of one locker room and into a handful of others around the ring of University Hall. Having a locker room, just like the men's teams had, to come together in, to meet in and to call our own, or shared by not many others, made everything feel more real and im- portant. The visual and daily gap between what the men had to women was starting to close." In your 25 years, where have you seen the most growth for women's athletics? Myers: "The most growth has come in operating budgets, support staff — full-time trainers for our teams, director of operations for many, ac- cess to tutors, nutrition, sport psychology, etc. — the direction and trajectory of the expectations we have for our players indi- vidually — as students, as future profes- sionals and as athletes — have helped a lot. "Our goals are spelled out. We have a clear direction that is shared by all of our programs with a common goal of being our best person and making our teams stronger. At this point, we have 14 women's teams that combine with 13 men's teams, but we are one family pushing equally to help the department rise. "I'd say the support and access to the sup- port has brought us all together and given us a shared sense of purpose and importance." As women's athletics evolved, how did you change your approach in recruiting and coaching? Ryan: "Oh Lord, everything about my approach changed. I grew up in a man's world of coaching and I learned over the years that I had to develop my own style that fit the women better. "Recruiting is very relational and hon- esty/trust has to be at the center of every- thing. You make a lot of mistakes as a young coach and you literally have to evolve as the athletes evolve. I had a long way to go as a young coach, but I always had excellent role models to follow. People like Gene Cor- rigan, Jim West, Terry Holland and many others helped to form my style and approach to coaching and recruiting as I grew in the department. "Most importantly, though, I had excep- tional staff members and talented players who always pushed me to be better, and I learned a ton from each one of them as well." What are some of the things you are happy to see for female student-athletes now that weren't there when you started? Myers: "The support and notoriety that comes with rising to the top is so much more common and valued. I believe our players come in as young women and see examples of all they can become every- where around them. The sky is the limit and women are able to do it all — domi- nate on a field, excel in the classroom and get a great job. "In many cases, the women can compete internationally through World Cups, Olym- pics and Pan Am games. There are more professional opportunities for many as well. Throughout the years, I think the women see that anything is possible and that they have access to creating whatever life they want to explore and capitalize on. "The resources and support are real and they are learning how to use it more each year. It is the norm to dream big and when you see your peers achieve greatness it is inspiring and very motivating." What was it like watching your student- athletes get these opportunities to play basketball and then go on to successful careers after graduation? Ryan: "There is nothing better than seeing your athletes graduate with a multitude of good opportunities in their chosen fields of endeavor. Watching them go on to be suc- cessful brings nothing but pride. "We have many in women's basketball that are leaders on a national and in some cases on the world stage. Val Ackerman and [South Carolina women's basketball coach] Dawn Staley are two that have obvi- ously made their way in the world publicly. There are so many others that have left the program to become moms, physicians, sur- geons, lawyers, professors, teachers, FBI agents, law enforcement officers, coaches, athletics directors and the list just goes on. "I could not be prouder of my women who are all incredibly impactful in the world. Each person may not be in the public eye, but they are highly effective in what they do, and their journeys are amazing." "We have many in women's basketball that are leaders on a national and in some cases on the world stage. Val Ackerman and Dawn Staley are two that have obviously made their way in the world publicly. There are so many others that have left the program to become moms, physicians, surgeons, lawyers, professors, teachers, FBI agents, law enforcement officers, coaches, athletics directors and the list just goes on. I could not be prouder of my women who are all incredibly impactful in the world. Each person may not be in the public eye, but they are highly effective in what they do, and their journeys are amazing." RYAN Ryan served as UVA's women's basketball coach for 34 years (1977-2011) and won 739 games. She was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. PHOTO COURTESY UVA