A record-setting volleyball player and All-American hurdler, the versatile Julie Handy Drinkwater left her mark on both sports from 2002-06 and secured her place in River Hawk lore. In 2006, she was honored as the Laurie Mann Award winner as UMass Lowell's Female Student-Athlete of the Year.
Drinkwater piloted the volleyball program to four consecutive NCAA Tournament berths and an overall record of 79-42. As a freshman, she was integral in helping the River Hawks to a 25-11 mark, second place finish in the Northeast-10 and a spot in the NE-10 Tournament championship game.
"When I think of Julie Handy, I think of a great player, a great worker and someone totally humble on all things," said head coach Karen McNulty. "She was just one of the best all around people we've ever had play here. Her teammates really liked her. She played all the way around. She had a great support system."
On the court, Drinkwater set records for both kills in a season (573) and digs in a career (1,656). One of the most complete players in program history, she finished her career with 1,609 kills, 1,656 digs, 223 blocks and 238 service aces. Due to her great success, she was a three-time NE-10 All-Conference First Team member and AVCA All-Northeast Region selection from 2003-05.
"There wasn't a question in anyone's mind that she was the best player on the team at that time, and maybe the best player in the Conference," McNulty said. "Everyone knew she was a great player. Teams built their defense around her. They strategized to take her out of the system. She had a lot of pressure on her senior year. There was a lot expected of her."
On the track, Drinkwater excelled in the hurdles and still holds all of the top-five results in the 400 meter hurdles. UMass Lowell won three NE-10 Championships in both Indoor and Outdoor track with her in spikes and finished as high as second at the New England Outdoor Championship in both 2004 and 2005.
During her reign, she claimed nine individual NE-10 Championships from 2004-06, qualified for the NCAA's four times and won three New England Championships. Handy was named an All-American in 2006 for a 1:01.08 time in the 400 meter hurdles.
"Julie is one of our rare two-sport athletes that achieved so much in both sports," said Gardner. "It took her a year or two to grow into a collegiate track athlete. But once she did, there was no stopping her in the 400 meter hurdles. Her junior and senior year were very special, topped off with a huge school record at the Penn Relays (1:00.34).
"In the stadium that morning, I remember her almost winning her section and placing in the top 10 overall," Gardner recalled. "I still tell that story to the hurdlers that we bring to the Penn Relays to get them excited about the meet."
Drinkwater completed her degree in Health Education in 2006 and currently works at Lowell General Hospital as a registered nurse. She lives in Lowell with her husband John, a former sprinter at UMass Lowell.
