Jennifer Leigh Crispen

Jennifer Leigh Crispen, 62, of Sweet Briar, Virginia and Bolton, Massachusetts, died Friday, November 14 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Born in Clarksville, Tennessee, she is survived by her mother, Jean Livingstone Crispen of Bolton, MA; brother, Reese Crispen and his wife Marie of Tyner, NC; brother, Cullen Crispen of Billerica, MA; and sister, Whitney Hagins and her husband Mack of Chelmsford, MA; as well as aunts and cousins. Her extended family includes generations of her students and players along with her many dear friends in Massachusetts and in the Sweet Briar and Lynchburg communities. Jennifer earned her B.S. from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and M.S. from Smith College. Before coming to Sweet Briar, she coached at Skidmore and Mount Holyoke. Jennifer's tenure as a professor in Physical Education and Field Hockey Coach at Sweet Briar extended more than 31 years. She also coached Lacrosse, Fencing, and Diving and taught popular academic courses such as Women, Sport and Culture. Recently, she was the first woman to serve as the Chair of the Sweet Briar Faculty Senate. Among the winningest coaches in the country, Jennifer had 40 years of collegiate coaching experience. Her contributions to the sport of Field Hockey include working with the U.S. Elite and Olympic Development Programs, playing on the United States Squad, and serving as a field hockey media consultant at the Olympic Games. She was honored by her peers as Coach of the Year in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference four times. In 2002, she coached her 500th field hockey game, and in 2005, she was inducted into the National Field Hockey Coaches Hall of Fame. Jennifer had many passionate interests beyond her career. She had a great love of nature that began as a youngster growing up on the family farm in Bolton, Massachusetts. An avid mountain biker, she frequented trails in Massachusetts and Virginia with her black standard poodle, Mattie. She was also an active member of the Lynchburg art community. Her watercolors have appeared in Sweet Briar publications and her work has been featured in several shows at the Lynchburg Art Club and honored at local festivals. She was also a political activist who championed causes related to peace and justice. A memorial service will be held in January at Sweet Briar College. Memorial Contributions may be made to Sweet Briar College: Jennifer Crispen Fund, Box G, Sweet Briar, VA 24595. Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family, 434-237-9424. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting.

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