Michigan State University Athletics
Connor Corrigan: Beyond The C
10/7/2018 4:56:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Senior captain Connor Corrigan is proud to wear the Green and White, and even more proud to have the honor of donning the 'C' on his jersey this season.
While being selected as one of the Spartans' three captains is a tremendous honor for the fourth-year defender, the most rewarding part for him is knowing that he has earned the respect of his teammates, and that they elected him as one of the representatives of this 2018 team.
"It definitely means a lot to me because having the respect of my teammates and coaches like that is the most important thing for me," Corrigan said. "For them to choose me to help lead this team is really important."
The Spartans are off to a fast and successful start to the season, but Corrigan notes that there's still work to be done – as a leadership group and in their play.
"I think we're still in an adjustment period because we had a guy like Jimmy Fiscus who was so vocal and such a strong leader that his absence created this little vacuum that honestly a lot of guys have stepped up to join - not just the three captains, but all the seniors," Corrigan said. "Our leadership group has done a terrific job in trying to fill his presence."
Corrigan, along with the other nine members of the 2018 senior class, have experienced highs and lows together – and it was experiencing those moments together as a unit that has helped shape this senior class for which Corrigan feels so honored to be a part.
"It's a special group. It's pretty big but it's been a great experience. From freshman year finishing last place in the Big Ten to competing for a Big Ten championship these last few years has been an eye opening experience for all of us," Corrigan reflects. "I think it's brought us all really close together. I'm really excited to see what this senior class has to offer these last couple months of the season."
During Corrigan's freshman season, the Spartans finished last in the Big Ten – a feeling that the team didn't have to experience again as they bounced back to two-straight NCAA Tournament berths, including a run to the Elite Eight last season. But Corrigan and the Spartans aren't done yet – there's still more left for them to accomplish.
"We'd love to win the Big Ten and make a far run in the NCAA Tournament. I think the sky's the limit for this team, but we're going to have to come prepared and execute every game in order to accomplish our goals."
While everyone may have individual goals that they're playing toward, in addition to team goals of winning the Big Ten and making a run in the NCAA Tournament, Corrigan has his eyes on the bigger picture, which is to help his team reach its full potential.
"My goal is to keep playing soccer for as long as I can, but it's really just to help this team win games," Corrigan said. "I think if us leaders can step up and help the team win games then it will help us all accomplish our individual goals."
Although Corrigan has faced adversity in his Spartan soccer career thus far, battling injuries and being away from his family, these obstacles contributed to him becoming a better leader, soccer player and teammate.
Earlier this season, an injury kept Corrigan out of the Spartan lineup for the first five games, but this ultimately helped give him a new perspective on being a leader and an alternative way to contribute to the team.
"I think it's definitely made me a stronger person," Corrigan said. "Trying to battle back from injury after injury is tough, but it's helped me experience what it's like sitting on the sidelines and try to learn things, trying to become a better leader and player by just observing, kind of like the coaches do. I think it's helped me broaden my leadership and playing abilities by just taking it all in from the sidelines."
Coming from Fishers, Indiana, Corrigan had to adjust to life out of state, but has had the opportunity to play back in his home state a few times each season.
"It's really special. It's always a lot of fun for me to go back to Indiana. A lot of my family went to IU so we have a really strong Hoosier bloodline within my family," Corrigan said. "To choose to come to Michigan State was kind of a risk and was a little scary at first but just being around the coaches and the staff really helped me a lot and helped me adjust to life out of state. It's always special when I get to go back and play IU and be around family again."
The rivalry continues in the Spartans' regular season finale in Bloomington on October 28. For MSU, the game will be a rematch of last season's heartbreaking Elite Eight defeat in PK's – and for Corrigan, it will be his last homecoming game as a Spartan.
Having the opportunity to serve as a captain this season and represent his teammates has had a strong impact on Corrigan, which he will continue to carry with him even after his soccer career at Michigan State comes to a close.
While being selected as one of the Spartans' three captains is a tremendous honor for the fourth-year defender, the most rewarding part for him is knowing that he has earned the respect of his teammates, and that they elected him as one of the representatives of this 2018 team.
"It definitely means a lot to me because having the respect of my teammates and coaches like that is the most important thing for me," Corrigan said. "For them to choose me to help lead this team is really important."
The Spartans are off to a fast and successful start to the season, but Corrigan notes that there's still work to be done – as a leadership group and in their play.
"I think we're still in an adjustment period because we had a guy like Jimmy Fiscus who was so vocal and such a strong leader that his absence created this little vacuum that honestly a lot of guys have stepped up to join - not just the three captains, but all the seniors," Corrigan said. "Our leadership group has done a terrific job in trying to fill his presence."
Corrigan, along with the other nine members of the 2018 senior class, have experienced highs and lows together – and it was experiencing those moments together as a unit that has helped shape this senior class for which Corrigan feels so honored to be a part.
"It's a special group. It's pretty big but it's been a great experience. From freshman year finishing last place in the Big Ten to competing for a Big Ten championship these last few years has been an eye opening experience for all of us," Corrigan reflects. "I think it's brought us all really close together. I'm really excited to see what this senior class has to offer these last couple months of the season."
During Corrigan's freshman season, the Spartans finished last in the Big Ten – a feeling that the team didn't have to experience again as they bounced back to two-straight NCAA Tournament berths, including a run to the Elite Eight last season. But Corrigan and the Spartans aren't done yet – there's still more left for them to accomplish.
"We'd love to win the Big Ten and make a far run in the NCAA Tournament. I think the sky's the limit for this team, but we're going to have to come prepared and execute every game in order to accomplish our goals."
While everyone may have individual goals that they're playing toward, in addition to team goals of winning the Big Ten and making a run in the NCAA Tournament, Corrigan has his eyes on the bigger picture, which is to help his team reach its full potential.
"My goal is to keep playing soccer for as long as I can, but it's really just to help this team win games," Corrigan said. "I think if us leaders can step up and help the team win games then it will help us all accomplish our individual goals."
Although Corrigan has faced adversity in his Spartan soccer career thus far, battling injuries and being away from his family, these obstacles contributed to him becoming a better leader, soccer player and teammate.
Earlier this season, an injury kept Corrigan out of the Spartan lineup for the first five games, but this ultimately helped give him a new perspective on being a leader and an alternative way to contribute to the team.
"I think it's definitely made me a stronger person," Corrigan said. "Trying to battle back from injury after injury is tough, but it's helped me experience what it's like sitting on the sidelines and try to learn things, trying to become a better leader and player by just observing, kind of like the coaches do. I think it's helped me broaden my leadership and playing abilities by just taking it all in from the sidelines."
Coming from Fishers, Indiana, Corrigan had to adjust to life out of state, but has had the opportunity to play back in his home state a few times each season.
"It's really special. It's always a lot of fun for me to go back to Indiana. A lot of my family went to IU so we have a really strong Hoosier bloodline within my family," Corrigan said. "To choose to come to Michigan State was kind of a risk and was a little scary at first but just being around the coaches and the staff really helped me a lot and helped me adjust to life out of state. It's always special when I get to go back and play IU and be around family again."
The rivalry continues in the Spartans' regular season finale in Bloomington on October 28. For MSU, the game will be a rematch of last season's heartbreaking Elite Eight defeat in PK's – and for Corrigan, it will be his last homecoming game as a Spartan.
Having the opportunity to serve as a captain this season and represent his teammates has had a strong impact on Corrigan, which he will continue to carry with him even after his soccer career at Michigan State comes to a close.
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