Born and raised in the Aberdeen, Maryland area, Vi Ripken has not only nurtured a bedrock of a family and a whole generation of great athletes she has also been an integral part of her community. The former Violet Gross married Cal Ripken, Sr. in 1957. She has truly made her mark in Harford County applying her abundant energy and organizational skills to many different community organizations. She has been involved with the Harford County Boys & Girls Club since its inception more than a decade ago, serving in a variety of capacities on the Board and volunteering her time. Her annual ladies-only golf tournament, Vi Ripken Diamonds in the Rough, has raised many thousands of dollars for the Club and has become a fundraising institution in Harford County. Along with Cal Sr., she was also involved for many years with the Special Olympics.