The UBC Thunderbirds family among many others are mourning the loss of trailblazing former women's volleyball coach Sandy Silver who passed away on October 14 after a recent illness. Silver's impact and presence on UBC varsity athletics has been immeasurable and everlasting, having coached the T-Birds from 1979 to 1983 and in the process, laid the groundwork that would see the women's volleyball team evolve into the most successful U SPORTS program in the last 20 years. Sandy was a passionate social justice advocate who tirelessly fought to support fellow coaches, athletes and administrators while determined to move women's sports and volleyball forward across Canada.


 
Silver was a standout athlete who also coached at York University and served as an assistant coach with the Canadian National Women's team from 1980 to 1982. Steadfastly dedicated to the cause, Sandy also volunteered as a long serving Canada West Volleyball Convener from 1992 to 2016.
 
Silver was resolute in encouraging women to seek more leadership roles and continuously supported and inspired future coaches and administrators to pursue those roles. She created the Sandy Silver Endowment Fund to support deserving UBC women's volleyball student-athletes. Sandy was inducted in to the Volleyball Canada Hall of Fame, the Volleyball BC Hall of Fame, the UBC Hall of Fame and received the ProMotion Plus "in her footsteps" award for her impact on girls and women in sport.



Each season the Sandy Silver Volleyball Award recognizes UBC Women's Volleyball student-athletes who are stand out athletes on the court, strong students in the classroom, and who also give back to the sport via volunteering and fair play.




 
Long-time UBC women's volleyball head coach Doug Reimer was greatly influenced by Sandy and shared the below personal letter honouring the life and legacy of his dear friend.
 
I am deeply saddened by the loss of my friend and mentor Sandy Silver. Sandy has been the heart and soul of the UBC Women's Volleyball program since the 1980's when she was the coach of the T-Birds. 
 
A life-threatening illness cut short her coaching days, but not her impact on sport.  Sandy continued to be a fighter and trailblazer for the causes of women in sport and social justice. In the words of Hugh Wong, past President of Volleyball Canada,
 
"At a time, when it was not popular to do so, she encouraged a generation of women to take leadership roles in sports. She took to task organizations which did not actively promote the inclusion of women in their board rooms. Quietly passionate and fiercely determined, she advocated for and opened doors for the hundreds of women who now influence Canadian sports at the highest levels. She has done that most difficult thing which is to change the minds of men."
 
Inspiring was how she had been so often described.  Whether it was in her unwavering support and guidance for hundreds upon hundreds of coaches, athletes, referees' administrators and fans, or for her clear vision for women in sport and volleyball in Canada that will burn bright for many years. For coaches and athletes in and out of our program, she had a massive impact with her honest conversations and advice. Her efforts as a mentor and advocate for so many of our finest women athletes and coaches spanned decades. She truly was the mentor to our sport's greatest mentors.   
 
Here is just a small sample of her cv that impacted me personally and professionally.  
 
For twenty plus years as the volunteer convener of Canada West volleyball, she unfailingly demonstrated her commitment to do the heavy lifting when needed, and provide the steady guidance and leadership as required. She created, gave ongoing support and was the committed to the growth of the Sandy Silver Endowment Fund at UBC, and was critically involved and a tireless worker for the bid and host committee for the National Women's Volleyball team which was awarded to and is now based in Richmond. When she talked to our team she often challenged the athletes to be "invested" with their play and each other. Well Sandy, no one was more "invested" than you were in helping us move forward to a better place.
 
Sandy, I and so many others will miss you most deeply as a friend. You loved people with a unique blend of passion, vibrancy, intelligence and a wonderful sense of humour. Thank-you Sandy for all that you did for so many in and out of our sport, and for all of sport in general. It was not an easy journey but it was a life well lived. RIP.   

  
* There will not be a formal service in accordance with Sandy's wishes. In lieu of flowers Sandy's wishes were for contributions made to the Sandy Silver Fund.