Page 9 - Rochester Athletics

Jean merenda conway 79
Coaches have a signifcant infuence in the
lives of student-athletes. Such was the case
for Jean Merenda Conway 79, who played
basketball, feld hockey, and lacrosse for coach
Jane Possee. Jean and her husband, John
Conway 79, honored her coach by making
a signifcant contribution to the Jane Possee
Endowment for Womens Athletics. Coach
Possee treated her athletes like members of
her family, Jean says. She became the role
model and inspiration I needed.
Rochester Athletics gave Jean an outlet for
her passion for sports, provided an extended
family, and inspired her future in sports
management, college admissions, teaching,
coaching, and counseling. The common theme
throughout Jeans diverse career was her
commitment to athletics as a way to inspire
and encourage others, just as coach Possee
had done.
Coach Possee advocated for the needs of
womens sports, Jean says. Not only that,
she was our teacher, mentor, and friend.
Recognizing her coach by supporting the
endowment in her name refects Jeans
support of athletics at the University of
Rochester and will help to fund womens
sports here for years to come.
brian Prince 86, 89s (mbA)
Chairman, Aozora Bank, Ltd
In 2002, in appreciation for all that he gained
from his experience at Rochester, Brian
Prince 86, 89S (MBA) made a leadership
gift to the University, establishing the Prince
Family Endowment for Mens Soccer. Brians
remarkable support helped provide the means
for the mens soccer team to be one of the
nations elite programs. His experiences both
as a student and athlete helped to shape and
test this natural leader and he continues this
pursuit in every facet of his life.
Born and raised in Rochester, N.Y., Brian was
recruited by the mens soccer program to the
University in the fall of 1982. With assistance
from an alumni scholarship, Brian was the frst
member of his family to attend and graduate
from a four-year college. As an undergraduate,
Brian understood the unique opportunity that
he was provided by attending Rochester.
He graduated with honors as an optics major
while helping the mens soccer team set
the standard of excellence that has been in
place for the last three decades. The lessons
learned throughout his undergraduate and
graduate years were proudly carried into the
next chapters of his life where his strength of
character and generosity truly shine.