Cara Gardner '01 - Brown University Athletics

Cara Gardner BrownBears.com will feature one former male and female student-athlete each month who has gone on to achieve success in the workplace, as well as exhibit the spirit of Brown University within the community. The monthly installments will provide highlights of the selectees’ athletic careers at Brown and offer a glimpse into their current career paths.

Alumni Spotlight – Cara Gardner ’01

A two-sport standout at Brown, Cara Gardner (Morey) ’01 excelled in hockey, both ice and field, for the Bears from 1997-2001.

A human biology concentrator at Brown, Gardner finds herself scattered throughout the Brown field hockey record books as a two-time All-Ivy selection and Ivy League Rookie of the Year award winner in 1999. Gardner ranks fifth on Brown field hockey’s all-time goals list with 27 and sixth overall with 66 career points, while earning Second Team Regional All-American recognition for her efforts in the 2000 season.

Gardner boasts some of Brown field hockey’s top single-season performances, highlighted by 15 goals (2^nd) and 38 points (2^nd) during the 2000 campaign.

On the ice as a stronghold of the Brown defense, Gardner’s senior campaign was one to remember as she earned First Team All-Ivy and Second Team All-ECAC honors while also being awarded Brown’s Bessie H. Rudd award, recognizing the female athlete who has done the most to promote women’s sports. For her efforts, Gardner was selected as Brown’s representative at the 2000 NCAA Leadership Conference.

Since graduating, Gardner has remained involved in athletics as a player and coach. She was part of the Canadian Under-22 National Hockey Team and a member of their Senior National Program for two seasons. Gardner also played two seasons with the Montreal Wingstars and the Brampton Thunder of the NWHL.

Now in her fourth season as an assistant coach of the women’s hockey team at Princeton, Gardner has helped guide the Tigers to two ECAC Tournament appearances in three seasons. Prior to her arrival at Princeton, she coached ice hockey, field hockey, and softball at the renowned Thayer Academy in Braintree, Massachusetts.

Gardner’s husband Sean Morey ‘99, also a Brown graduate, spent nine seasons in the NFL with the New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Arizona Cardinals. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2008 and earned a Super Bowl ring with the Steelers in 2006.

Alumni and fans are encouraged to participate in the Alumni Spotlight nomination process by submitting nominees to athleticcommunication@brown.edu. Nominations should include: notable career achievements, current occupation, location, recent photos, and notable contributions to the community.