*********************************
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
Summary Sentence:
On Sunday, July 5, when the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team bested Japan (5-2) to take home the World Cup, Vickie Brian, GT-AE's assistant director for operations, was right at home.
Full Summary:
No summary paragraph submitted.
GT-AE Rallies Around U.S. Women's National Soccer TeamOn Sunday, July 5, when the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team bested Japan (5-2) to take home the World Cup, Vickie Brian, GT-AE's assistant director for operations, was right at home.
Except, technically, she wasn't home at all.
Brian was in Canada, cheering on her daughter, mid-fielder Morgan Brian, one of the stand-out players from the historic 2015 World Cup series.
Read what Sports Illustrated had to say about this incredible athlete, the youngest on Team USA.
“My husband and I bought those tickets a while ago, just in case,” said the soft-spoken mom. “I couldn’t be anywhere else.”
Vickie's colleagues at GT-AE assembled Thursday to videotape the young athlete a Yellow Jackets Nation send-off. Check it out.
Ever respectful of her daughter’s singular athletic accomplishments, Vickie Brian nevertheless spoke about “us” and “we” when she sized up Team USA’s chances in the World Cup. The competitive spirit runs seamlessly through her.
Many saw Sunday's game as a rematch of the 2011 Women's World Cup final, where the American side lost in a penalty shootout. But for athletes like Brian, that was old news. Team USA was looking to make history -- not re-write it. And they did.
Twenty minutes after hitting the field Sunday night, the US Team had already scored 4 goals. Japan never really recovered.
Morgan Brian had 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 that match.
"She's fine," her mother said the next morning. "She is already thinking about Sunday."
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.
