University Southern California Trojans
Heritage Association Spotlight: Lauren Brown - USC Women's Soccer
September 30, 2019 | Women's Soccer, Trojan Athletic Fund, Features
As Brown grew up, she saw her college years on the horizon and she began planning her next step. Having her family in close vicinity was a top priority for her, as she wanted her favorite people to continue cheering for her on the field. USC recruited Brown during her time in high school and she eagerly went to visit campus to see what the Trojan family was all about. "I fell in love with the campus as soon as I got there. I loved the importance the school placed on both academics and athletics," said Brown. While evaluating her choices for her four years of college, USC stood out to her as the perfect fit.
By choosing to attend USC, Brown recalls that she helped initiate a friendly family rivalry between her and her cousin who competed in gymnastics for UCLA at the same time. Although Brown's cousin challenged her, she also served as an inspiration for Brown in her young adult years. Additionally, another one of Brown's cousins had attended USC to obtain her master's degree in education. So, with auspicious family footsteps to follow athletically and academically and with wonderful role models to look up to – she just couldn't wait to become part of the Trojan family. "The concept of what the Trojan family aspires to be really influenced my decision to come to USC. The idea that that family would extend beyond my biological family was also a really cool concept that has stuck with me."
Brown spent her undergraduate years pursuing a degree in gerontology. She excelled academically from the start and grew increasingly excited about the field of study. Additionally, Brown stood out on the soccer team as a young and able freshman from the get go. She recalls the time spent with her coaches and teammates as perfect opportunities to foster their lifetime relationships. When asked the significance of her jersey number six, Brown remembers that her and her younger brother had shared the number for as long as she could remember – her in soccer, and him in baseball. There wasn't a specific reason for the number, but it was special to her that they continue the tradition. Brown experienced a minor setback her sophomore year, when she injured the orbital bone in her cheek and was forced to sit out for that entire year. The team's success proved inconsistent for Brown's first three years as she recalls, never quite making it past the second round of the final tournament, but it was during her fourth and final year on the team that things began to change.
By the start of Brown's senior year, a kind of culture shock had set in. USC had hired a new women's head soccer coach, and much of the roster was shifted around. Only about 12 players were now rotated on and off the field at the time. "We weren't the most skilled team," Brown remembers, "but we just played well together. We had a certain chemistry that worked." It seemed that this shift was exactly what the team needed. In 2007, the USC women's soccer team went on to win their first National Championship title. Brown looks back fondly upon this memory as one of her greatest moments as a USC Trojan.
To this day, Brown still holds tremendous pride in all great things garnered from being a part of the Trojan family. Following her years at USC, she attended Tulane University for her Master's degree, and returned back to USC yet again for her PhD in Gerontology. "I wouldnt have a PhD now if I didn't get to play soccer at USC and get the exposure to USC coursework and other students. The network has made a lasting impact on my current career and what I have accomplished," said Brown. She aspires to continue growing her knowledge in the field of gerontology, specifically in the study of aging and longevity relative to race. Brown currently does research at the University of Michigan, where she teaches a few classes as well.
Although living in Michigan has hindered her frequent visits to USC, she still enjoys coming back on occasion to watch the women's soccer team play. Brown recently visited Los Angeles in August when she came to watch the USC alumni game at LAFC stadium. "The team looks awesome," she said. "They are jumping so quickly in rankings. Since we won in 2007, they've won another national championship, and it looks like they're well on their way to winning another one." Brown still feels grateful to have helped facilitate this ongoing legacy for the team. Looking back, the national championship win that seemed like a fluke to her at the time, now only looks like a building block for what is to come. Brown, along with the fellow Trojan community, is excited for what the future of USC women's soccer has in store.
