Colorado University Athletics
Photo by: Tony Harman
Perry’s Return Home Something Extra Special
September 26, 2019 | Volleyball
CORVALLIS, ORE. – This Friday the University of Colorado women's volleyball team travels to Corvallis, Ore., to take on Oregon State, but for freshman defensive specialist Savannah Perry it will also be a sort of homecoming.
Like some students walking the campus, Perry is a legacy with numerous family members having graduated from CU. Perry's story is a little different though, as she is the great granddaughter of former CU football coach and Hall of Fame member Dal Ward. 22 members of her family have attended CU following Ward's employment. His name and likeness is forever instilled in the Buffs culture after the academic building on the North end of Folsom Field was dedicated in his name.
"It's really special, every time I walk in see his picture on the wall," said Perry. "His picture is also up in the Events Center so I try to look at it every time I come in, knowing that he is looking down on me and he is proud of me and that I get to continue his legacy. He left such a great legacy at the University, I want to make my own but I also want to build on his."
Perry moved back to Corvallis with her family when she was four and lived there for 10 years. She has deep roots in the area, including being coached by Oregon State's assistant volleyball coach in club. Her return home will be something special as family members and friends return to her great grandfather's alma mater to watch Perry take on the Beavers in a Buffs uniform.
"I love Corvallis, even though I don't live there currently, that's where I consider home and where I grew up. I played in Gill (Gymnasium), I use to have gymnastic competitions there, have private volleyball lessons with the volunteer assistant at Oregon State. It is really cool that he (Ward) also played in Gill. I have played and now I get to go play a real volleyball game there. It is really cool to go and compete where he did."
Ward, a native of Oregon, began his college football career at Oregon State in the 1920s where he started every game of his career and was eventually inducted into the OSU Hall of Fame in 1997. As of 2007, he was one of only three multi-sport athletes inducted, having earned eight varsity letter in football, baseball and basketball where he was a captain of all three squads.
Friday's match will be the first of four for Perry playing in Corvallis. Every year will be a special return to the place where she lived the longest and grew her roots deep in the home of her great grandfather's legacy.
"One of my best friends since I was four is coming down and my mom is staying with her family so I am excited to see her. I don't get to see her that often so when I do it is really special. Another close friend, her father is the Oregon State volleyball coach, so he has be a very influential part of my life so it is fun to see him. The assistant coach was one of my club coach, so they all coached me and now I get to play against them so it will be really cool."
Perry and the rest of the Buffaloes take to the court tomorrow evening at 7 p.m. against the Beavers. Last year the teams went five sets with Naghede Abu setting a school record in blocks with 17. Tomorrow the Buffs look to start a winning way in conference play as the Corvallis native looks to begin writing her own story in the Gill Gymnasium in the shadows of her great grandfather.
Like some students walking the campus, Perry is a legacy with numerous family members having graduated from CU. Perry's story is a little different though, as she is the great granddaughter of former CU football coach and Hall of Fame member Dal Ward. 22 members of her family have attended CU following Ward's employment. His name and likeness is forever instilled in the Buffs culture after the academic building on the North end of Folsom Field was dedicated in his name.
"It's really special, every time I walk in see his picture on the wall," said Perry. "His picture is also up in the Events Center so I try to look at it every time I come in, knowing that he is looking down on me and he is proud of me and that I get to continue his legacy. He left such a great legacy at the University, I want to make my own but I also want to build on his."
Perry moved back to Corvallis with her family when she was four and lived there for 10 years. She has deep roots in the area, including being coached by Oregon State's assistant volleyball coach in club. Her return home will be something special as family members and friends return to her great grandfather's alma mater to watch Perry take on the Beavers in a Buffs uniform.
"I love Corvallis, even though I don't live there currently, that's where I consider home and where I grew up. I played in Gill (Gymnasium), I use to have gymnastic competitions there, have private volleyball lessons with the volunteer assistant at Oregon State. It is really cool that he (Ward) also played in Gill. I have played and now I get to go play a real volleyball game there. It is really cool to go and compete where he did."
Ward, a native of Oregon, began his college football career at Oregon State in the 1920s where he started every game of his career and was eventually inducted into the OSU Hall of Fame in 1997. As of 2007, he was one of only three multi-sport athletes inducted, having earned eight varsity letter in football, baseball and basketball where he was a captain of all three squads.
Friday's match will be the first of four for Perry playing in Corvallis. Every year will be a special return to the place where she lived the longest and grew her roots deep in the home of her great grandfather's legacy.
"One of my best friends since I was four is coming down and my mom is staying with her family so I am excited to see her. I don't get to see her that often so when I do it is really special. Another close friend, her father is the Oregon State volleyball coach, so he has be a very influential part of my life so it is fun to see him. The assistant coach was one of my club coach, so they all coached me and now I get to play against them so it will be really cool."
Perry and the rest of the Buffaloes take to the court tomorrow evening at 7 p.m. against the Beavers. Last year the teams went five sets with Naghede Abu setting a school record in blocks with 17. Tomorrow the Buffs look to start a winning way in conference play as the Corvallis native looks to begin writing her own story in the Gill Gymnasium in the shadows of her great grandfather.
Players Mentioned
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