Highlighting the story of a Prince Edward Island-born-turned-Mountie superstar
By Ben Broadbent
From the beautiful beaches of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, third-year Bachelor of Science Psychology student Marie Fogarty’s life extends way beyond the volleyball court. However, in the McCormack Gymnasium, she has excelled throughout her three years on Mount Allison University’s varsity women’s volleyball team. Fogarty, a multi-sport athlete in elementary school, loved growing up with her mom and brother in PEI, but she always knew she wanted to experience University away from home and leave the hardships attached to the Island.
A notable recipient of Mount Allison’s McCain Scholarship, valued at $40,000 over four years, Fogarty fell in love with volleyball in the seventh grade. Despite eventually playing for her high
school team, Team PEI, the Holland Hurricanes Club team and at the 2022 Summer Canada Games in Niagara Falls, Fogarty admitted to being the worst player on her elementary school
team. She attributed her on-court success to several role models who have influenced her life to this point, and one who stood out during our discussions was Laura Ready, current Holland
Hurricanes assistant coach. As a high school student herself, Ready was a part of the coaching staff during Fogarty’s grade seven tryouts. The current Mountie mentioned how even though “The other coach who had been there for a while did not really see much in me, Laura saw that I had put in effort and was part of the reason why I made the team in the first place.” Ready prioritized effort and work ethic over talent at such a young age. Fogarty credited her former coach for building her into a volleyball player from these critical foundations.
However, Ready’s impact went way beyond the court. She became involved in Fogarty’s personal life during some of the most challenging times of her life: “Laura was there for me when I would be at practice and then spending the rest of my day at the hospital with my dad.” Had Ready’s involvement in Fogarty’s life not shaped the volleyball court into a place of escape for the future Mountie, Fogarty said that she would not have continued playing the sport she finds so much enjoyment in every day at Mount Allison. Growing up with divorced parents and
having lived with her loving, supportive mom and older brother since she was twelve years old, Fogarty’s McCain scholarship embodies her resilience through adversity, even when life did not assign her favourable circumstances: “I’m proud of myself for that,” she humbly remarked.
Before arriving at Mount Allison University three years ago, Fogarty recalled her initial email dialogue with current coach Robbie Crouse about her future role on the Mountie’s volleyball
team. Looking back on those conversations, Fogarty laughed at the fact that “Robbie probably sent the same email to everyone,” somewhere along the lines of “I think you would be a great fit for the program.” Yet, now having settled into her well-established role on the University’s varsity team, Fogarty made it clear not to underestimate the talent coming from Prince Edward
Island. In her first year, even as a recruit, there were no promises of playing. Even committed players who sign contracts can be red-shirted upon joining the varsity program. Robbie always
voiced his confidence in her ability, and he helped to build the self-confidence she has today. Fogarty continues to give everything she can for Crouse and co. She places the importance of the group’s overall success above her individual accolades, just as Ready instilled in her from a very young age. The line “hard work beats talent” encapsulates the very essence of Fogarty, both as a player and, more importantly, as a person.
Now playing in the middle position for the Mountie’s varsity volleyball squad, for whom she wears the number three, Fogarty, an enthusiast of the television series The Office (2005-2013), so touchingly said that “My four roommates are [not only] my teammates [but] my best friends.”After anything volleyball-related, whether it be a practice or a game, Fogarty and her roommates debrief for up to two or three hours, supporting each other through the highs and lows of the long season because they are “In it together.” Whenever coach Crouse reminds his players to spend time together, Fogarty joked, “Who else would I spend time with?” While balancing a heavily packed schedule between her on-court commitment and academic pursuits — Fogarty is an aspiring honours student in the Psychology department — the veteran middle and her roommates frequently take trips to Moncton for sushi and Starbucks. Here, she is able to physically get away from anything Sackville-related and the academic and athletic pressures of being a student-athlete in this small town.
Fogarty’s current favourite course is abnormal psychology, which she is enrolled in this academic semester. In the future, Fogarty wishes to attend graduate school in a field related to
counselling or clinical psychology to help those struggling with mental health disorders. The connection between Ready having helped a young Fogarty in a time of need and the latter’s wish
to extend this compassion in her work for others is made clear in her future ambitions. When asked what she would do with her life if money was not a factor, Fogarty would work remotely
and explore the beauty of our world, first to Europe, then to wherever her heart takes her. This summer, you might find her serving in restaurants located in British Columbia. In a final remark, Fogarty reflected on her most memorable moments at Mount Allison with her teammates. If the season were to end tomorrow under unforeseen circumstances, she would not place volleyball-related memories of the highest importance. Instead, Fogarty referenced “the endless hours in Jennings meal hall together, bonding, talking and being ridiculous.”
“Marie Fogarty (left) with teammate Monica Gollaher (right), two Mountie Islanders”.