Virginia Pierce
Virginia (Virgie) was always playing outdoor sports with her father or helping him plant flowers or weed the garden. Her Mother and older sister Mary Ann would be making pies or sewing an apron. In the evenings the neighborhood boys and girls would gather for baseball or basketball or just any game during her early school life. In 7th grade Virginia's father was transferred from Santa Ana to the San Bernardino California branch of Smart & Final Wholesale Grocery. Virginia had to leave her best friends in Santa Ana and meet new friends at Arrowview Jr. High. Virginia's family home included a Badminton Court and Basketball Hoop. Virginia's family could walk across the street to the Arrowhead Country Club swimming pool and Golf Course where she continued to have plenty of sports available to her. With the ideal Physical Education program at the University of Arizona available to her it is no wonder she migrated to the University of Arizona where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in 1955. Virginia returned to California for her first teaching assignment at Upland High School for two years then Oregon State University offered Virginia a Teaching Assistantship while enrolled in their Physical Education Master's program. Virginia earned her Master's Degree in 1959. Virginia taught two year's in Woodland California but wanted to coach at the college level so on to Glendale Community College Glendale California for 17 years to teach and coach Tennis Volleyball Basketball and Softball as well as becoming the Women's Athletic Director. In 2003 Virginia was conducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at Glendale Community College for Meritorious Service. Virginia is married to Donald R. Pierce a Canadian who she met in Jamaica and they presently reside in Encinitas California where they both enjoy traveling and golf.