University of Vermont Athletic Hall of Fame
Mary D. Jolly 1978 - Basketball, Softball, Tennis
An overlooked athlete at UVM because she competed on the varsity level in only tennis, Mary Dee Jolly, inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994, is nonetheless one of the most talented female athletes to ever attend UVM.
In addition to her accomplishments in tennis, jolly also competed in softball, junior varsity basketball and club ice hockey. In fact, she was one of the founding members of the UVM women's ice hockey club. Jolly also excelled in intramurals, in which she won championships in racquetball, badminton, tennis and ice hockey. It was in racquetball that she would go on to bigger and better things after graduating from UVM.
Jolly competed in amateur racquetball competitions around the world. At one time she played on the professional tour, but never accepted any money, thereby retaining her amateur status. A member of the US National team in 1984 and 1985, she was an assistant coach for the team in 1987 and 1988 before stepping down. Her racquetball accomplishments are nothing short of amazing. She won the women's amateur world championships three times, from 1984 to 1986, and placed fourth in the World Games in London, England in 1985. A winner of the New England Regionals five years in a row, form 1984 to 1988, Jolly returned to capture another New England title in 1993. She also was the National champion in the 35-and-older division in 1990.
