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AUGUST 2023 29 each class, racing to get a front row seat and hanging on Ayers' every word. Outside the classroom, Ramsay recalls special memories and multi-year friendships on her team and across other sports as well. While big wins and bitter rivalries with Mary- land and UNC stand out, favorite memories include shared meals on the road stuffing themselves at the all-you-can-eat buffet at the Golden Corral, staying up past curfew in the hotel room on away game road trips, the thrill of having athletic laundry done for you at UHall, and wearing the best collegiate color combination of orange and blue. Although those years didn't involve flying to opponent matchups, the camaraderie of long tour bus trips with their driver, James, brought many great memories too. Ramsay's dad traveled to many games to support her and hosted the team and all the local Philly families at his house for post-game dinner when games occurred near Philadelphia. Following her college career, Ramsay initially coached and taught at a boarding school but reunited with and shared an apartment with former teammate Heather Christman Sheehan while working as a headhunter in New York City. Eventually Ramsay settled in Darien, Conn., to raise her family and ultimately return to coaching field hockey at Darien High School. Ramsay feels lucky to be part of the sport again, helping empower and give back to young women athletes as she has seen former teammates accomplish in their re- spective coaching careers, such as Julie My- ers, Bonnie Rosen and Jenny Slingluff Levy. Those friends are just a few of countless examples of former teammates who have given back by sharing their knowledge and passion, coaching everything from youth level to elite collegiate athletics. Ramsay is grateful for their leadership and being part of the team of women involved in the impor- tant ongoing growth of women in athletics. Ramsay stays closely engaged with the Virginia field hockey program. As a high school coach, she attends coaching conven- tions and often runs into head coach Michele Madison and other friends like former team- mate Sandy Szilassy, a tournament team coach who teaches by day and shares her positivity with both her students and players. Ramsay believes all her former teammates strive to perpetuate a culture that was ce- mented at UVA and pay it forward as they go out in their communities and continue to de- velop the next generation. She is part of that impressive group of women who keep the ball moving forward for women's athletics. She recognizes there is still progress to make, but she and her teammates are try- ing to make sure future generations have the same opportunities to reach their potential. Her hope is for future Virginia women student- athletes to experience all the benefits that come from competing and representing UVA. Ramsay stresses we need to support female athletes so they too can have the opportuni- ties to utilize all they have learned from being a Division I athlete at UVA. The combination of world-class athletics and academics wrapped up in the Jeffersonian ideals of honor and integrity lay the foundation for success in life long after the last game is played. She is beyond grateful for all that ath- letics and her education at Virginia have provided for her and her family and believes strongly in the importance of supporting that for future generations. It is why the Ramsays enjoy hosting local incoming first- years and their families for a sendoff before school starts each year. When Ramsay returns for the Virginia All-Sports Reunions hosted by the VAF, she loves sharing fond stories with her friends and reminiscing about the thrill of victory and agony of defeat. One of Ramsay's dearest friends and former teammates, Cynthia Mathis Howard, lived five miles from her Philadelphia home growing up, but they didn't know each other before college. Now they live 10 miles apart with Ramsay in Darien, Conn., and Cynthia in Rye, N.Y., so they meet often for golf rounds and even made the trip to cheer on their beloved Eagles in Super Bowl LVII. While Ramsay's son Jack attends UVA, making her Charlottesville trips even more special, she has been able to reconnect with West Coast Hoos when visiting her two daughters, Katie and Maggie, who play la- crosse for USC. Ramsay's passion for supporting young student-athletes and determination to make long-lasting impacts on women's athletics are evident in her contagious spirit and longtime service. Virginia field hockey is thankful to have such tremendous commit- ment, engagement and financial support from alumni like Ramsay. This year's 50th celebration will be a very special occasion! — Jess Armistead Ramsay (far right) stays closely engaged with the UVA field hockey program and travels to Charlottesville to take part in the Virginia All- Sports Reunions. (Photo courtesy Sherry Deutsch Ramsay)