The years 1994 through the first decade of the 2000s saw the UBC women's volleyball program experience among its most successful eras. It was during these years head coach Doug Reimer forged not only very competitive teams but teams that frequently advanced to the national CIS championships. Blue & Gold women's volleyball and its abundance of nationally recognized players during the '90s and 2000s has been the pride of UBC Athletics.
Therefore from the many stellar players of his era, coach Reimer has stepped forward to nominate Joanne Ross for lasting recognition through the UBC Sports Hall of Fame.
Beginning her UBC career the same year Reimer joined UBC as head coach – 1994/95 – Joanne would become a five-year starter with UBC and according to Reimer was "instrumental in the rebuilding of the volleyball program into a consistent national contender . . . she was a great competitor and leader throughout her career."
A native of Beaconsfield, Quebec, Joanne chose to come to UBC after turning down scholarship offers from NCAA schools including UCLA and Colorado. "One of the top recruits in the country" according to Reimer, she was to become a key ingredient in UBC reaching the national CIS championships in each of her five years with the Thunderbirds. Her teammate Sarah Maxwell gushes, "To this day she is someone who I love to tell people about because of her amazing capacity to bring out excellence in herself and all those around her. UBC volleyball was turned around in Jo's presence and she was an integral part of its winning energy to this day!" During those five seasons UBC finished 5th in the nation in 94/95, 3rd in 95/96, a runner-up silver medal in 96/97, 4th in 97/98 and again a silver medal in her final year, 1998/99. For an athlete to make the CIS nationals five consecutive years is a major accomplishment.
Individually, Joanne was selected to the Canada West first All-Star team three times, one of only six Thunderbirds to achieve this feat during the first 25 years of the Conference. She was also twice named to the All-Canadian team (in 95/96 and 96/97) joining the elite of UBC women’s volleyball. In 1995/96 she was tops by a significant margin in the Canada West in kills, kill efficiency and blocks. Moreover in 1998/99 Joanne was selected winner of the Marilyn Pomfret Award as UBC's outstanding female athlete of the year, among the select few volleyball players to win this title in its long history. This was the same year she was named to the CIS Academic All-Canadian team. Sarah continues "She excelled in all areas of the game . . . she made sure she was valuable on the court at all times . . . when others thought it was too hard, Jo was out there doing the work."
In addition, for four of her five years at UBC Joanne was cited for her international contribution – playing on the National Team – representing Canada more years than any other UBC volleyball player during the 90s, a span which included the World University Games in '95 and '97. On Canada's team she was the starting middle blocker and team captain. "She has so much dedication and focus – she is good at anticipating what will happen next" says fellow former Thunderbird Katherine Peck. "Even if she were under six feet tall she would still be an incredible volleyball player."
Former UBC and National Team teammate Barb Bellini states "Three words to describe Jo are competitive, inspirational and leadership. Having Jo on the team brings an incredible positive energy in so many forms – in her leadership, in her ability to inspire and in the way that she believes in her goals and teammates. I can say without a doubt that being around Joanne Ross makes you want to be a better player and push yourself to be a better teammate and person – she just has that affect on people."
According to Doug Reimer, "Joanne continued to give back to help the younger players as an assistant coach at UBC", as she served seven years as Assistant Coach with coach Reimer and the T-Birds. At the same time she was employed as Varsity Program Assistant in UBC's Department of Athletics. "She was a winner!" says Maxwell. "She did it with such ease and grace that everyone around her became a winner simply by being close to her . . . such a Champion!"
Researched and written by Fred Hume, UBC Athletics Historian
