Building the Bridges

Photo by Peter Flint.

By Broadside Correspondent Brenda Shepard

College life can be overwhelming and hectic, but for some student athletes, the balance is worth working hard for. Often, it is hard to manage schoolwork while maintaining some form of social life. However, senior women’s lacrosse player Maggie Bridges has managed to succeed in academics and athletics while also growing as a person.

“I wouldn’t have changed a thing,” said Bridges, who is a biology major.

Bridges has been playing lacrosse since her freshman year in high school. She knew she wanted to play and what George Mason University had to offer made it easy for her to make a decision.

“I had to make up my mind fairly quickly because we had to sign a contract around November,” said Bridges, “I looked at a couple other schools, but I knew I wanted to come to Mason.”

After entering Mason to pursue a pre-med degree, Bridges changed her mind a few times before settling on biology.

Bridges attributes a great deal of who she is today to her role playing defense on the women’s lacrosse team.

“It gives you discipline. You have to have a strong mind because games are so mental,” said Bridges. “Everyone has such a strong work ethic and when you’re on a team with so many women, it teaches you to work with many different people.”

Along with her lacrosse career, Bridges is in the University Scholars program and is active in Catholic Campus Ministry. When faced with the task of juggling school, sports and her faith, Bridges said it is not so hard.

“There are a lot of things you have to give up, but it’s obviously worth it because you’re doing what you want to do,” said Bridges.

Bridges has been active in her faith during college and she went to a Catholic high school.

“It sounds corny, but it changed my life,” Bridges said.

She attended church during her freshman year, but joined a Bible study in her sophomore year and felt the pull that kept her coming back each week. She has been able to attend a Bible study specifically for athletes.

“It’s awesome because we’re all from different sports but the ideas can be applied to us all,” said Bridges.

Bridges enjoys the beach and country concerts when she is not busy with school. Bridges’ best experience of college has been living with friends.

“You always have people to hang out with,” said Bridges.

Bridges has had the opportunity to work with a young boy with autism during her time at Mason, which got her interested in the field. On completion of her schooling, she dreams of opening her own occupational therapy practice for children with special needs.

Bridges will be living in Richmond while attending Virginia Commonwealth University in June to study Occupational Therapy. However, as a local from Fairfax, Bridges expects that she will remain closely tied with Mason even after graduation.

“Especially as an alumnus athlete, it will be easy to keep in touch,” said Bridges. “I’m sure I’ll be back for homecoming.”