Julie Williamson will become the first field hockey player to retire her jersey

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Julie Williamson will become the first Syracuse field hockey player to retire her jersey Oct. 9 during Orange’s game against Cornell.

Williamson played a significant role in Syracuse’s success in the 1990s. While at SU, Williamson led it to three consecutive Big East championships from 1992 to 1994, including Orange’s first Big East title in 1993 The team flourished around Williamson, winning over 70% of the games they played.

Williamson became Syracuse’s first three-time National Field Hockey Coaches Association All-American and was also the Big East Player of the Year in 1994. When Williamson graduated, she was the all-time leading time for the SU program. She is currently seventh.

During her college career, Williamson made the United States Women’s National Team in 1993 and was Syracuse’s first woman selected for the team. As part of the USWNT, she scored her first international goal against France.

Overall, Williamson was a field hockey pioneer at SU. She was a big part of growing the program and making Syracuse a school to go to for sports. Syracuse has become one of the top schools for field hockey prospects and is currently ranked seventh in the latest national poll.

Williamson’s honor is part of a recent string of jersey retirements at Syracuse. Last year, SU retired the jerseys of new women’s basketball head coach and former player Felisha Legette-Jack, men’s lacrosse head coach and former player Gary Gait, women’s lacrosse player Katie Rowan Thomson and rower Anna Goodale.