News from Athletics

CAMERON ADAMS
Sports information director

Cat Cox

Vixen Senior Spotlight: Cat Cox

Cat Cox, a biology major with an archeology minor, plays both field hockey (goalie) and lacrosse (defense) for the Vixens. In the hockey cage this fall, she has stopped 80 percent of the shots taken against her.

What has been your favorite class at Sweet Briar?
Independent study in archeology. “I learned more about the history of tools in the tobacco culture through researching and visits to the slave cabin and my family farm.”

Who in the Sweet Briar community has impacted you the most?
Jennifer Crispen. “She has seen me at my worst and helped me build who I am as a person.”

Best part about being a student-athlete at Sweet Briar?
Learning time management. “I am more organized when I am in season.”

What have you gained from participating in collegiate sports?
Academic focus and “my personality has popped.”

What does it mean to you to be competing your fourth year as a student-athlete?
“It’s an accomplishment.”

What is your favorite night at Prothro?
Make-you-own-pizza night. Cox prefers pepperoni with pineapple.

One place on campus you will definitely visit when you return as an alumna?
Hockey field.

When you look back on your time here, what will stand out in your memories?
Friendships.

How do you describe Sweet Briar to an interested high school student?
“A women’s college that teaches you to be independent and confident.”

What are your plans after graduation?
“I hope to teach Agriculture in the Classroom,” a program taught in elementary schools in the early 1990s.

Second Class Inducted into Athletics Hall of Fame

The 2007 class of the Sweet Briar College Athletics Hall of Fame was inducted Sept. 23 as part of the College’s Homecoming weekend.

Inductees for 2007 were Cara Gascoigne, director of physical education from 1912-1923; Jamie Planck Martin ’81, and Jennifer Ellen Crossland ’86.

During Gascoigne’s tenure, the students played Virginia’s first women’s intercollegiate field hockey game in 1919 as well as the first intercollegiate basketball game in 1920. The hockey game was the first women’s intercollegiate contest of any kind in the state of Virginia.

In 1914, Gascoigne also started club lacrosse at the College.

Martin won the ANRC National Collegiate Equitation Championships all three years that she attended Sweet Briar. After taking off more than two decades to practice law, Martin began competing again in equestrian events four years ago.

Since re-entering the world of equestrian sports, she has been a top contender for national awards in every division in which she competes. Martin also has built Providence Hill Farm, a state-of-the-art riding facility.

A four-year varsity letter winner, Crossland achieved All-American honors for her second-place finish in the 1983 Division III NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships, the highest NCAA finish of any student-athlete in Sweet Briar history.

Crossland received All-Conference honors in 1983, 1984 and 1986 and currently holds school records in the 50-meter breaststroke, the 100-meter breaststroke and the 50-yard breaststroke.

The Sweet Briar College Athletics Hall of Fame honors special achievement by alumnae and other who have been associated with athletics at the College. These individuals have helped bring recognition, honor, distinction and excellence to Sweet Briar College and the intercollegiate athletics program.

SAAC Sponsors ‘National Denim Day’ Team, Hosts Dodgeball Tournament

The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is sponsoring a “National Denim Day” team. According to its Web site, “Lee National Denim Day is one of the largest single-day fundraisers for breast cancer.

In October, Lee Jeans encourages millions of people nationwide to slip into their favorite jeans and make a $5 donation to support the fight against breast cancer.”

National Denim Day is Friday, Oct. 5. Join the SAAC in supporting the fight against breast cancer and wear denim. Team members are asked to make a $5 donation. Contact any SAAC member to join the team!

The SAAC also is hosting its third dodgeball tournament Wednesday, Oct. 24. Contact any SAAC member to register your team. The registration deadline is Oct. 17.

Current SAAC members are Cat Cox ’08, Becca Olander ’09, Jenn Milby ’08, Michelle Raymond ’09, Brittney Berry ’09, Dori Rucker ’09 and Hannah Hesser ’10.

More information on both of these events is available at http://www.sbc.edu/athletics/SAAC/index.html .