Student-Athlete Profile
new head coach Hideki Nakada wanted to do with the program heading into the 2021 season. “Rich and Hideki have very different styles,” Brown explained. “But Scott Halaz staying on really helped the transition for me and a lot of the rest of the team. Once we got through that process I have really enjoyed Hideki’s style of play. We play with much more forwardness and we are very aggressive.” Brown started all 36 games in 2020 and 2021, leading the team in points both seasons. She was second in points while making 17 starts last season. During her career, she had contributed 11 goals and 33 points. She earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting last December and elected to take advantage of her super senior year that was granted to college student-athletes due COVID-19. She is on track to earn a master’s in accounting this December. “I am beyond grateful for being on scholarship here,” Brown said. “There’s not a lot of time outside of my athletics commitments and classes to get a job. Without, my scholarship, I couldn’t have done all of this. There are so many great things about getting to play college athletics at the Division I level. I’ve had a great career and a tremendous experience. And because of my extra year, now I can leave here with my master’s degree, which will get me ready to take the CPA exam.”
Contributions from Crimson Club members not only cover scholarships, but they have also funded student-athlete facilities like the Burbidge Family Athletics Academic Center and the Sorenson High Performance Center. “I have never heard friends at other schools say the things that I say about our facilities and our support staff. Having the ability to train, get strong and prevent injuries is so critical to your body. We also have a great sports medicine facility to help you heal. Our trainer Tom Iriye and our strength coach Cody Lockling are absolutely the best. And I have spent so many hours in the Burbidge Center. It is so close to everything. It’s a great place to go during the day and focus on school work and watch my lecture videos.”
Brown will declare for the women’s professional draft in 2024 and see what opportunities are there. Once she is through playing soccer, she plans to move into the business world and become a CFO. “Utah has put me in position to make it all possible,” Brown said. Before then, she is excited to get her final year of collegiate soccer underway. “This is close-knit group that is more intimate than other years,” Brown explained. “We have a strong senior class with a lot of personality that is really driving the boat. We have leaders who can direct and drive things on our own without the coaches having to force it. Everyone seems ready to make this the best year our program has ever had.”
Courtney Brown scored three goals and had three assists last season, ranking second on the team with nine points.
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CRIMSON CLUB MAGAZINE AUGUST 2023
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