BURLINGTON, Vt. – Former Vermont women's lacrosse standout Vanessa Cox '05 was killed in a car crash in New Hampshire on February 12. She was 31.
 
Cox, a two-time captain, was the first player in the UVM women's lacrosse program to register 50 or more points three straight seasons. She graduated as the all-time leader in points (173) and goals (133) and ranked third among the all-time assist leaders (40). Cox was a three-time America East All-Conference honoree.

RELATED LINK
Boston Globe Obituary
 
"Vanessa was the consummate student-athlete who touched the lives of so many around her.  She made us all better for having known her and for having shared time with her. She will be greatly missed but fondly remembered," said Dr. Robert Corran, UVM's associate Vice President and Director of Atheltics.

While at Vermont, Cox was also a member of the Canadian National Team. She competed for Team Canada in the 2009 and 2013 FIL Lacrosse World Cups. She helped the Canadians win a silver medal in 2013, the best finish in the organization's history.

"Vanessa was a great player, teammate and friend," said Vermont head coach Jen Johnson. "She was a born leader who was blessed with both natural athletic talent and a tremendous work ethic. Those attributes combined helped her reach the highest level possible in women's lacrosse, a World Cup. She was taken way too soon, but we are all thankful for the impact she has had on our program and our lives."

Cox worked as an administrator in the Brandeis Athletic Department since October 2011. She played an instrumental in the role of student-athlete recruitment for Brandeis and was a key organizer of the Friends of Brandeis Athletics Hall of Fame ceremonies. In addition to her administrative responsibilities, Cox was the head coach of the club women's lacrosse team.
 
Prior to joining the Brandeis Athletic Department, Cox was the head women's lacrosse coach at MIT for four seasons. She compiled a record of 36-26 with the Engineers and was named the NEWMAC Coach of the Year in 2008.
 
Cox graduated from UVM with a degree in political science in 2005. She went on to earn a masters degree in sports leadership from Northeastern in 2011.

SERVICE INFORMATION
Visiting hours will be for family and close friends on Tuesday evening. A mass will be held at Grace Episcopal Church at 76 Eldredge St. in Newton Corner on Wednesday at a time not yet determined. Please check the website of the Magni Funeral Home in Newton (Mass.) for more details on exact timing. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.

A lifelong lover of animals, Vanessa was a strong supporter of the MSPCA and in particular, Angell Memorial Animal Hospital. In lieu of flowers, her mother, Mimi, her father, Vincent, her brother, Brandon, her dog, Ollie, and her cat, Molly, kindly request a donation be made in her memory to the Vanessa Cox Memorial Fund at Angell.