Excitement was high as UNC women鈥檚 athletic supporters gathered on a brisk Saturday morning in early April for the 17th annual UNC Women鈥檚 Walk prepared to walk the course through campus.

The UNC Women鈥檚 Walk is an annual fundraiser to support the greatest needs of UNC鈥檚 female student-athletes, and every year it serves as a poignant reminder of the crucial role that women鈥檚 athletics have played in UNC鈥檚 history. This year drove that point even further home. Honoring Rosemary Fri, M.A. 鈥�61, the event featured remarks from those who experienced firsthand the trailblazing work that she accomplished.

Rosemary鈥檚 journey began in 1959 when she arrived in Greeley to pursue her master鈥檚 degree at what was then 黑料社区 State College.鈥� After graduation, Rosemary joined the staff as a physical education instructor. With an unwavering dedication to advancing opportunities for women in sports, she became the coordinator for Women鈥檚 Athletics at UNC. Under her leadership, the women鈥檚 program count grew to include 10 sports, setting the stage for decades of success.

Julie Hill, M.A. 鈥�99, a colleague of Rosemary鈥檚 in the Women鈥檚 Athletics department, joined a team of other women personally impacted by Rosemary at this year鈥檚 Walk. As one of the team captains alongside Carolyn Gattis, B.A. 鈥�81, and Brenda Gallegos, M.S. 鈥�04, Julie played an active role in honoring Rosemary鈥檚 achievements and contributions to UNC, including her foundational work in establishing the women鈥檚 Volleyball and Tennis teams.

鈥淚 really admire people like Rosemary. We used to have a Trailblazer reunion, and she really was a trailblazer. I was born in the year 1973, the year Title IX was implemented. I think we take for granted what was not available,鈥� said Julie.

Working with Rosemary, Julie was inspired by her love for students. While she had a passion for sports, Rosemary鈥檚 love for all students r drove her pursuit of equal opportunities for men and women in athletics.

鈥淪he was an advocate for all students and young people. She coached men鈥檚 tennis as well, and I think that鈥檚 what made her great; she really wanted to help young people become leaders and develop themselves as best they could,鈥� said Julie.

Julie would often bring her daughter, Paige Hill, into the office. If Julie had to run to another part of campus, Paige would stay with Rosemary in the office. As a child, Paige lovingly referred to her as 鈥淎untie Rosie鈥� and would always look forward to seeing her at volleyball games 鈥� it didn鈥檛 hurt that she always brought Eileen鈥檚 Colossal Cookies. Now, as a student-athlete on UNC鈥檚 women鈥檚 soccer team, Paige looks back on her relationship and time with Rosemary in a new light.

鈥淣ow that I鈥檓 older, I鈥檓 having some of those full circle moments as a current student-athlete. Realizing that we wouldn鈥檛 be able to do what we do without her and her work, I love seeing younger girls at the Women鈥檚 Walk because it鈥檚 like her legacy continued,鈥� said Paige.

The relationships that Rosemary built throughout her life and the legacy that she created will be admired by many for years to come. Rosemary Fri鈥檚 trailblazing work during her time at UNC set the stage for fundraisers like Women鈥檚 Walk to take place. The 17th annual UNC Women鈥檚 Walk had over 600 participants, including student-athletes, and raised more than $20,000 for UNC鈥檚 female student-athletes.