Villanova Basketball Courted Her

Rosemarie Burke Dempsey grew up in Media, Pennsylvania, in an Irish Catholic family of four children. She attended public high school where she excelled in academics and athletics, playing varsity basketball, but she sought a Catholic experience for college. After touring local Catholic universities, she knew she had found the right place when she visited Villanova with her father. Harry Perretta, legendary Women’s Basketball coach, had reached out to Rosemarie to recruit her to both the school and the team. His efforts were successful and Rosemarie attended Villanova on a full scholarship which covered every college expense. For this gift, she is both proud and grateful. Although she initially planned on a career as a physical education teacher, it was her father who convinced her that, if she were fortunate enough to study at Villanova, she should take full advantage and pursue a degree in the Villanova School of Business. Rosemarie Burke Dempsey took her father’s advice and along the way, had the unforgettable and life-changing experiences of gaining a Villanova education and proudly playing Villanova basketball.

In the fall of 1979, Rosemarie arrived on campus. Academics at the VSB were rigorous and she remembers how few women there were in her classes. Being part of Coach Perretta’s first contingent of recruits likewise was rigorous. Daily practices and games took up a large part of her time when she wasn’t studying or in class. Besides Rosemarie, the new recruits for the team were Stephanie Vanderslice Gaitley ’82 CLAS, Courtney Vanderslice ’83 VSB, Noreen Kemether ’83 VSB, and Kathleen Beisel Sims ’83 CLAS.

When Rosemarie was a junior, the Women’s Basketball team was completing its last year as part of the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (“AIAW”) before becoming part of the NCAA. That year, Villanova Women’s Basketball progressed to the AIAW Final Four. While the team did not gain the title, it did enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime experience of playing college basketball at that incredibly elite level.

Despite her strenuous schedule of classes and athletics, Rosemarie made time to be part of Phi Beta Delta and still enjoys reunions with her sorority sisters at Gullifty’s in Bryn Mawr.

Although she had been searching for a Catholic college, Rosemarie had not been particularly aware of the Augustinians before coming to Villanova. Once meeting the community however, Rosemarie explained that, “there is nothing like them”. She holds fond memories of the Rev. John Stack, OSA, former Vice President for Student Life, and the Rev. Bernard Lazor OSA, playing basketball with the Women’s team. Rosemarie also recalls her first visit to the South Philadelphia parish of St. Rita, now a national shrine to the beloved Augustinian saint, and theology classes with Father Lazor. With these experiences, Rosemarie was learning Augustinian values in every encounter and they have stayed with her throughout her life. Even today, Rosemarie prays to St. Rita, saint of the impossible, for answers to problems.

Following graduation, it proved easy to land a rewarding job at Procter & Gamble, but more difficult to transition away from the daily life of a college athlete. To fill the gap, Rosemarie played basketball in local leagues. She also met Stuart Dempsey at P.B. Packy’s, Media, Pennsylvania, in May 1984. They married on April 26, 1986 at the Villanova Chapel and the Rev. Edward Hamel, OSA, former chaplain for the Women’s Basketball team, officiated. The couple settled in Media, raising their son, Shawn and daughter, Katie. Corporate life was complex with caring for two young children and Rosemarie decided to take a hiatus from business and focus on family. Eventually she re-trained as a financial advisor, drawing on her Villanova preparation and prior business experiences. Rosemarie believes that her Villanova education and connections have been vital to her professional success. Today, she works as a financial advisor in the Philadelphia area.

Even with her many family and professional commitments, the love of basketball remained strong for Rosemarie. She spent years coaching and serving as a referee at local schools and colleges and coached many area soccer teams. Through it all, her faith and Augustinian values supported and enhanced her life.

Rosemarie and Stu return to Villanova often. She is struck continuously by the changes in infrastructure on campus and by how much more diverse the community is now. She applauds University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA who is always out and about, visible and engaged with the students.

As part of her ongoing commitment to Villanova, Rosemarie has also invested in the University as a donor. She has made many annual gifts and a planned gift through an insurance policy. Rosemarie believes that often as a student, one doesn’t fully realize just how many opportunities one has been given. She believes also that Villanova gave her more than she gave back and asks how, with the tremendous generosity shown to her, could she not now be philanthropic.

If you too look back with gratitude on the opportunities given to you by Villanova, would you consider making Villanova part of your estate plan? You can make an estate gift in your will, through retirement assets, real property, a trust, insurance or in many other ways. To discuss an estate gift, contact Tim McKinley at 215-240-0812 or timothy.mckinley@villanova.edu. Your look back can become a give back to help today’s students.