LANCASTER, Pa. - The Atlantic East Conference is pleased to continue the Alumni Spotlight Series, where it celebrates the remarkable achievements and inspiring journeys of former student-athletes who once proudly represented our member institutions. These individuals have continued in the athletics field, showcasing exceptional dedication, and bringing honor to both their alma maters and the league.
Through hard work, resilience, and the values they cultivated during their time as student-athletes, our featured alumni continue to exemplify the core principles of the Atlantic East. Join us as we highlight their stories, share their accomplishments, and explore how their experiences as student-athletes helped shape their careers and communities. Our next spotlight is 2024 Patrick O’Gorman from Pratt.
Name: Patrick O’Gorman
Sport: Men’s Basketball
Graduation Year: 2024
Current Role: Assistant Coach / Basketball Trainer
Describe your current job and your connection to sports?
My current job is coaching at the school I played for (Pratt). In addition, I run my own basketball personal training and social media content. Both have allowed me to stay connected with the sport I love.
What makes coaching important to you?
The love for the game, the lessons learned, and the relationships I am able to create through it makes coaching important to me.
Best memory at Pratt?
My best memories at Pratt are all the road trips, overnights, and eating out with the guys for away competitions. Whenever we got a win that was always fun too.
How has mentorship influenced your transition into professional practice?
Mentorship has taught me how important it is to learn from people who have experience doing things much longer than you. It is Important to keep an open mind even when you don't agree because you still may gain something valuable. The more you learn the more you realize the less you know.
Can you describe a situation during your transition where you felt challenged, and how did you handle it?
When transitioning from player to coach it was challenging to coach student-athletes who I just played with last year. The transition in relationship from teammate to coach was a challenge but I was able to lean on the leadership role I previously played as a teammate and utilize it as a coach.
What is one thing that you would have done differently?
As a former student-athlete, I wish I embraced sports as a profession earlier than I did. As a coach I would have given my players more grace for mistakes.
What do you look back on most for your time at Pratt?
I look back at all the time I spent in the gym, on the court, and in the film, room bettering myself as a player. I am now transitioning that disciplined mindset into becoming the best version of myself as a coach and as a person.
Do you have any current goals in your professional career that you want to obtain?
My ultimate goal is to become an NBA trainer or coach and involved in player development.
ABOUT ATLANTIC EAST
The Atlantic East Conference is a member of NCAA Division III comprising seven institutions in a four-state area - Gwynedd Mercy, Immaculata, Marywood and Neumann Universities in Pennsylvania; Centenary University in New Jersey, Marymount University in Virginia, and Pratt Institute in New York.
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