Brogan Makes Academics A Priority
By: Courtney Mains
In any given year, one student-athlete from the University of Oregon’s 18 intercollegiate teams graduates from the prestigious Robert D. Clark Honors College. As a senior for the Ducks, Casey Brogan is one of 15 student-athletes that has graduated from the Honors College since 2000 and the first Oregon lacrosse player.
Brogan has always held herself to a high academic standard. In high school, she maintained a 4.07 GPA and was named as one of Maryland’s distinguished scholars. She maintained a high GPA while playing for Maryland United Lacrosse Club, being named lacrosse team captain as a junior and leading her team to the state semifinals in 2010. Alongside her many activities, Brogan always made school a priority.
“In high school I worked really hard for competitive grades, and that wasn’t something I really wanted to sacrifice in college just to play a sport,” said Brogan. “The honors college was kind of a natural inclination to look into because it sounded like something I would be interested in.”
As a freshman, Brogan jumped right into her coursework at the Robert D. Clark Honors College. With only 800 students, the program has allowed Brogan to build relationships with peers and faculty, fulfill general education requirements in a smaller and more rigorous setting, as well as culminate her time as an undergraduate with a senior thesis.
Although challenging, Brogan expresses that is the nature of an honors college. Approaching graduation and her thesis defense, sticking with the program, has provided her with a great sense of accomplishment.
“The honors college is something that was really hard but I would do it again,” said Brogan. “It has taught me a lot about accountability, critical thinking and holding myself to a high standard.”
On the lacrosse field, Brogan’s coaches and teammates expect high academic standards as well, with a cumulative GPA of 3.32 across various majors.
“Our team has always been focused on grades,” said Brogan. “We pick our class schedules and then pick practice around that. Our coaches are really supportive and realize that we are here for school because lacrosse isn’t a professional sport for women. We aren’t here to go pro after. We are here for an education.”
Brogan sought out academic opportunities the moment she stepped on campus as a freshman, taking on the challenge of the honors college without wavering. Maintaining a 3.7 GPA throughout her time as an undergraduate, Brogan was named to the MPSF All-Academic team twice in her career and to IWLCA Academic Honor Roll as junior.
“I hope that this gives student-athletes who are looking to come here more of an incentive to try the honors college,” says Brogan. I think it’s definitely something anyone can accomplish and I think most get turned off by it because it is such a rare thing for student-athletes to do, but it is totally possible. I don’t think I am anything special. I think everyone can do it.”
