Commerce major and Virginia Field Hockey forward Sloan Davidson, who came to UVA from Houston, TX, says her decision to study and compete in the Commonwealth was a natural choice.
“UVA was always a dream school for me because my cousin graduated from McIntire in 2015 and my sister and my dad went to Washington & Lee, so my family has had kind of a pull towards the Virginia area—and I’ve always been really drawn to the Grounds,” says the third-year student. “UVA was the perfect balance between athletics and academics, and it also gives me the chance to maintain a social life as well,” Davidson explains, pointing out how other universities she had considered didn’t tout academics as rigorous as those she’s seeing in the Comm School or offer as much of the rich, well-rounded college experience she’s enjoying in Charlottesville.
It was her dad’s career in private equity in the Lone Star State’s energy sector that is at least partly responsible for her interest in business (although she admits it wasn’t until she started her college career that she began to fully grasp his work), but she also harbors a lifelong love of working with numbers.
“I’m a big math and numbers person,” she says, underscoring her interest in both math and finance.
By her own account, the way Davidson’s mind works makes tackling problem-solving and applying formulas a great fit; she reports having a great time in her Financial Accounting and Calculus II courses, with the latter possibly being her favorite. “Give me a formula, and I’ll do it,” she enthusiastically declares.
That competitive nature that drives her to excel in field hockey also lends itself to her irrepressible attack-first approach to academics.
Her remarkable proficiency in time management and unflinching willingness to take on hard work are a hallmark of Davidson’s personality. “I always give 100% in everything that I do,” she says, recalling how her commitment propels her to consistently work way ahead of assignment deadlines—much to the surprise of her peers.
That work ethic is similarly reflected on the field, where she consistently seeks extra practice sessions to enhance her skills. “I like to go out early and get extra reps, if I can’t go out early, I typically stay after practice”, she says. “I do that to improve and to be the best I can.”
While Davidson’s transition to UVA’s field hockey team posed the usual challenges for college student-athletes, as she had been a leading scorer in high school, she learned to adapt to her new role and position on the team. Embracing the opportunity to contribute both while on and off the field required a mindset shift, but it was simply another challenge that she proved herself ready to overcome. “Understanding my role and doing what I can in whatever role is needed without dwelling on playing time and scoring goals,” she articulates, showcasing her resilience and adaptability.
Davidson, who is seeing her playing time increase—and having scored her first career goal that came in the season opener at Penn State in late August 2024—cherishes the relationships she’s built through field hockey and considers her teammates to represent the standout figures within her overall experience at UVA thus far. “The friendships I’ve built have been the best.
Looking ahead, Davidson is eager to embrace the fast-paced challenges ahead, as she’s poised to expand her experience in business through a 10-week sales and trading internship with a global banking firm. She’s clearly excited to get involved, as her competitive nature, ability to work with a team, and knack for problem-solving will give her the chance to thrive.
“Sales and trading require people to be very competitive, and it’s very popular for athletes to pursue,” she says. Sounds like it matches her skills with numbers, speed, and analysis, and, as typical for Davidson, that she’ll be up for any challenges that come her way.
