*********************************
There is now a CONTENT FREEZE for Mercury while we switch to a new platform. It began on Friday, March 10 at 6pm and will end on Wednesday, March 15 at noon. No new content can be created during this time, but all material in the system as of the beginning of the freeze will be migrated to the new platform, including users and groups. Functionally the new site is identical to the old one. webteam@gatech.edu
*********************************
Atlanta, GA | Posted: July 2, 2015
Kathleen Moore
Communications Manager
Aerospace Engineering
Summary Sentence:
As the world watches the U.S. in the finals of the FIFA Women's World Cup, one Georgia Tech staff member will be in the stands supporting her daughter.
Full Summary:
As the world watches the U.S. in the finals of the FIFA Women's World Cup, one Georgia Tech staff member will be in the stands supporting her daughter.
Morgan and Vickie BrianThis weekend, when the whole world becomes women’s soccer fans, Vickie Brian, assistant director for operations in the Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering, will be right in her element. The mother of Morgan Brian, midfielder for the U.S. Women's National Team, will be in the stands in Canada.
“My husband and I bought those tickets a while ago, just in case,” said the soft-spoken Georgia native. “I couldn’t be anywhere else.”
Ever respectful of her daughter’s singular athletic accomplishments, Vickie Brian nevertheless speaks about “us” and “we” when she sizes up Team USA’s chances in the upcoming match. The competitive spirit runs seamlessly through her. This proud mother will be cheering with thousands as the U.S. Women's National Team takes on Japan in a rematch of the 2011 Women's World Cup final, which the American side lost in a penalty shootout.
Morgan Brian has already been in the spotlight this World Cup, after knocking heads with a player from Germany in the semifinals. Both players were laid out on the field for several minutes, and it gave viewers the chance to see FIFA's new concussion protocols in action. After getting an all-clear from the team doctor, Brian was back on the field to finish out the match.
Born on St. Simons Island, Georgia, Morgan has been a soccer fanatic and phenom for as long as her mother can remember. A stand-out player on her middle school team, she went on to be named team MVP, All-Region, and All-State her freshman year at Frederica Academy, where she helped her team claim the state title.
Brian, who also plays for the University of Virginia, was recently named the ACC's top female athlete.
This time, as she attempts to bring home a World Cup for the national squad, her mother will be right there cheering her on.
