Bourgade student-athlete receives first-team honors

By Gina Keating | March 19, 2009 | The Catholic Sun

Daniel Casey can best be defined by his character: hardworking, sincere, selfless, a natural leader, and tireless in his pursuits. That’s just the tip of the iceberg.

The Bourgade Catholic High School senior received the 2009 National Football Foundation Valley of the Sun Scholar-Athlete Award.

Casey was honored Feb. 21 at the Scottsdale Hilton Resort along with other standout high school student-athletes from around the state. He was named to the first team, and received a $1,500 scholarship toward college.

His teammate and friend Grant Harper received honorable mention.

Not only was Casey the only first-team nominee from a Catholic high school, he achieved the highest SAT score out of any of the finalists and semifinalists.

“Daniel is a very focused student in terms of academics,” said Sr. Mary McGreevy, SSND, principal at Bourgade. “He has goals for himself and continues to move forward to fulfill those goals.”

Casey’s academic successes are far from happenstance. Although his original goal was to get excellent marks to please his parents, he quickly shifted his focus.

“I realized grades are important to my future, and I needed to maintain them,” Casey said.

He’s hoping he has laid a well-worn path of intellectual brilliance up to the front admission doors of Harvard. Casey won’t find out until May if he has been accepted to the prestigious Ivy League school, with any luck on an academic scholarship, but confidence abounds.

Sr. McGreevy is convinced if there is any student who can do it, Casey can. After all, he was voted “Most Intelligent” by his senior class.

Both Arizona State University and the University of Arizona have awarded Casey the highest Merit Scholarships they offer. He has also applied to Notre Dame, Cornell and Miami of Ohio.

Casey wants to go to medical school and become an orthopedic surgeon. He was inspired by the doctor who treated him for a knee injury he suffered this past year.

“I was impressed by his intelligence and professionalism,” Casey said. “As an orthopedic surgeon, it will allow me to stay involved in sports medicine.”

At 6 feet 1 inch tall and 205 pounds, Casey is built like a linebacker and has been encouraged to try out for the Harvard team.

“I’m not hulky, but I’m big and I’m fit,” he said. “I have quite a few options for me right now.”

His accomplishments in football at Bourgade are impressive: all-region player, three-year starter and a member of the Team Leadership Council.

“He is by far the hardest working, most sincere and most truly honorable player I have ever coached,” said Chris Andreadis, Bourgade head football coach. “You don’t get kids like him very often. My lament is I only had him one season. He’s a special kid.”

Casey has managed to keep on top of his grades, sports and club activities. He’s a lifelong learner who really enjoys the challenge of education, and happens to be a very good athlete.

“If I had to stereotype, I suppose I’d be a geek,” he said. “Academics defines me more than football.”

Some of his other accomplishments include National Honor Society, Math Honor Society, Students Against Destructive Decisions and Bourgade Athletic Leadership Team.