UVa's Stanwick seeks sisterly approval

Freshman attackman Steele Stanwick (left) and his Virginia teammates end their home schedule today against Dartmouth.

By: WHITELAW REID 
Published: April 18, 2009

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“A terrible shot by Stanwick.”

A few years back, that was a remark made bytelevision color commentator Sheehan Stanwick Burch after her younger sister Coco Stanwick, then a star player for Georgetown, took an ill-advised shot.

This afternoon, Virginia freshman Steele Stanwick will be hoping to avoid similar critiques.

Burch, Steele’s oldest sister, will be part of the broadcast team for CBS College Sports (formerly CSTV). It will be the first time that the former Georgetown All-American will be working one of her brothers’ games.

She has previously broadcasted games involving sister Wick, a 2003 Georgetown graduate, and Coco, a 2005 alum.

Steele, who has seven siblings, still recalls the game when Burch was particularly harsh on Coco.

“[She] didn’t play too well that game so I kind of remembering it being awkward for Sheehan to make the call,” he said, with a laugh. “Hopefully I hold my own out there and don’t embarrass myself.”

If Stanwick plays like he has all season, that shouldn’t be a problem. The Baltimore native, who arrived atVirginia with big expectations, is second in goals (28) and third in assists (12).

“He was ranked as the No. 1 recruit [in the country] by one publication,” Burch said. “I think so far he’s done a fantastic job of living up to the all press and handling that pressure well.”

Burch, a mother of two who has worked in television and commercial real state since graduating fromGeorgetown in 2001, says she has learned to be as unbiased as possible when covering her siblings’ games. She says the fact that everybody grew up critiquing each other in the family car after games has made it easier for her to just say what she feels during a broadcast.

“I can look at the game and separate my family ties,” she said. “I can take a step back and not have any real emotion.

“If anything, I feel like I’m probably harsher on them than cheering for them or talking about them the entire time.”

Coco can probably attest to that.

“[She] probably could have had a few bones to pick with me,” said Burch with a chuckle, “but it’s stuff that if she watched, she would have probably agreed, ‘Yes, that was a horrible shot.’”

Steele says he’s looking forward to playing Dartmouth. Virginia (12-1, 3-1) is coming off its first loss of the season to Duke last weekend.

“They’re a very capable team,” said Stanwick of the Big Green (4-8). “We’re going to have to go out and have a good game. It’s Senior Day, so I’m sure everyone’s going to be ready to play. Dartmouth’s our most important game right now, so we need to put everything we have into this one.”

Of course, having big sis up in the press box adds a little more spice to the event.

“It’s definitely something that’s never happened before,” Stanwick said, “so it should be a pretty cool experience.”

Added Burch: “He’s a very mellow guy, so I don’t think he has too much anxiety about what I will say.”