Brigid O’Gorman ‘11 is one of only 18 individuals to be nominated for the annual Hockey Humanitarian Award. Presented by BNY Mellon Wealth Management, the Humanitarian Award recognizes college hockey players—Division I, II, or III—male or female, who give back to their community in true humanitarian spirit.
Since she stepped onto the ice as a freshman, O’Gorman has made her presence known within the NESCAC. Head coach Kristin Steele said, “When Brigid joined this team in her first season she was a marquee player. She was tough, could stickhandle where she wanted to, and she had a shot that made jaws drop. While all of that was impressive, it was her sense of team that really sold her to her teammates.”
During her sophomore season, the Camels advanced to the NESCAC quarterfinals, where O’Gorman scored one of two goals in the win against Trinity, marking Connecticut College’s first conference tournament victory in program history.
As a junior, O’Gorman’s dedication to the game was recognized with her election as captain for the 2009-2010 season. In the words of one of her teammates, Brigid “is probably one of, if not the most committed person to our team. She plays with enthusiasm every time she is on the ice. She is a great representation of our team off the ice as well, as
someone who is a great role model for the team.”
While O’Gorman has been a standout on the ice since her freshman season with the Camels, it is her work off the ice that is most
noteworthy. A cellular and molecular biology/pre-med major, her interest in medicine stems from her concern for others. She has been able to apply this interest in a variety of ways, including volunteer work at High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center in Old Lyme, CT, as a registered EMT in New York State, and as a member of both the CC EMS Club and Pre-Health Club.
For Brigid, her humanitarian interests are nothing out of the ordinary. When asked what she has done to receive this nomination, she modestly stated, “Honestly, I have just been doing things that I love to do.”
Her goal is to spread happiness to others through all aspects of her life, including hockey, academics and volunteering. Even during the toughest games, Coach Steele reports that Brigid always has a smile plastered to her face.
“I believe that we were put here on this earth to help each other through a life that has its ups and downs,” says O’Gorman. “The simplest smile can make a person’s day. Now think of what giving malaria medication to a mother for her one year old daughter can do.”
Perhaps Brigid’s most life-changing experience occurred last spring when she traveled with the Asayo Wish Foundation on a humanitarian mission to Kaberamaido, Uganda.
As many of you know, her trip to Uganda was almost made impossible due to a devastating traffic collision en route to the airport. A drunk driver on I-395 struck the van carrying O’Gorman and a group of Conn students, killing the organizer of the trip, Elizabeth Durante ‘10.
The news of the accident was heartbreaking for all members of the Conn College community.
“That day and a half in between the crash and my departure were the hardest days of my life,” said O’Gorman.
While it was a tough decision, she continued on to Uganda after receiving an overwhelming amount of support from her parents, friends, hockey coach and the Asayo Wish Foundation.
“It was Liz’s passion, love for medicine, and helping others that pushed me through; I could not have done it without her inspiration. She is deeply missed,” O’Gorman said.
Upon arriving in Kaberamaido with 600 pounds of medical supplies, Brigid immediately knew she had made the right decision.
She reported, “We literally filled their supply cabinets from empty to full. We brought antibiotics, malaria medications, surgical instruments and regular pain medications like Tylenol.”
Brigid’s contributions greatly impacted the people of Kaberamaido.
She said, “The old and young would come up and hug me and start speaking in Kuman (the native language), Dr. Ochan said they were thanking me for coming and bringing all of these things.” In addition to providing medical care, Brigid taught kids at the orphanage how to play the game she loves—hockey.
Her travels to Uganda, while beginning with tragedy, helped solidify Brigid’s drive to help others. Liz Durante had encouraged her to become a certified EMT, as even basic knowledge of emergency medicine can help so many people in places like Uganda. Brigid plans to return to Kaberamaido with Asayo’s Wish Foundation this summer using her CELS internship grant for a medical project.
As for this spring break, Brigid has dedicated herself to her hockey team, but plans to resume volunteering at the High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center on Saturday afternoons once the season has ended. In addition, she will be volunteering with the Lawrence and Memorial Hospital Paramedics through the Connecticut College Paramedic Internship Program.
Brigid has faced difficult situations but has found strength through her unfaltering dedication to others. “When I look back at the smiles on the faces of the orphans in Uganda or the children at High Hopes Therapeutic Riding center, or even the smiles of my hockey teammates as we beat Trinity to move to the semi-finals, I feel an overwhelming amount of happiness,” she says. “That feeling makes it all worthwhile and irresistible to continue.”
While being one of very few nominees for the Hockey Humanitarian Award is a tremendous honor, her efforts warrant such a consideration.
