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Alumna Spotlight: Sarah Furey
5/6/2020 1:00:00 PM | Field Hockey
DURHAM, N.C. – Staying connected with our alumnae, Duke field hockey checks in with Sarah Furey.
Furey, a 2018 graduate, was a four-year starter on the Blue Devils back line and helped guide the program to four straight NCAA quarterfinal appearances, including a trip to the national semifinals in 2015. She started in all 82 games of her career and was an NFHCA All-South Region selection as a senior. Furey was a vice captain as a junior before becoming a captain her senior year.
The New Jersey native earned NFHCA National Academic Squad and ACC Academic Honor Roll honors all four years while being a three-time member of the All-ACC Academic Team. She received a Heidrick Family Leadership Postgraduate Scholarship from Duke and was an ACC Top Six for Service Award recipient as a senior.
Earning a bachelor's degree in psychology, Furey moved to New York City where she works in financial marketing and innovation at Citibank.
If you could go back to the beginning of your freshman year at Duke, what is one piece of advice you would tell yourself?
Sarah: Enjoy every moment. The four years I spent at Duke were the fastest thus far. In the blink of an eye, I went form being on my official visit, meeting my future teammates to being at Michigan State, putting on my Duke jersey for my first game to being at the front row in Wallace Wade Stadium and throwing my graduation cap in the air with teammates that became like sisters. In four years, I grew and developed in more ways than I could imagine. It's easy to get distracted with all the commotion of college life. I would tell myself, as well as any incoming freshmen, cherish the ups and embrace the downs. Enjoy it all. These moments together are what make the college experience as a Duke student-athlete so extraordinary.
What is your favorite memory from being on the field hockey team at Duke?
Sarah: My favorite memory was beating North Carolina at home to claim the regular-season ACC title. Even though I received a major black eye during that game, it was a great team win and was an extremely fun game to play. Everyone was relaxed and played well. I remember the pride and excitement of the team when the final buzzer sounded in that game…Duke True.
Is there a phrase/advice that you've carried with you from Coach Bustin?
Sarah: "Be where your feet are." The first time I heard Pam say this, she was referring to practice time vs. class time. When we were on the field, we were to be fully focused on practice. No upcoming test, outside commitment or any other distraction was to get in the way of that concentration. The same idea was expected when we were in the classroom – our concentration was to be on the class's topic of discussion and nothing else, including field hockey. The more I heard it, the more I realized how comprehensive this mantra was and still is today. I have carried it with me much after my last game as it is applicable in most scenarios, especially in a time like the world is currently experiencing. It is easy to become overwhelmed. However, if your entire focus is on what is directly in front, you give yourself the best opportunity to succeed in that moment. You can only give 110% effort to one thing at a time. Stay focused and alert on the present in order to tackle situations head on is what Pam taught me.
How did you benefit the most being a student-athlete at Duke?
Sarah: The entire Duke community is so special. There is a sense of pride on campus. Everyone has a story to tell worth listening. In my classes, it was common to sit in a class with representation from all seven continents. It was incredibly humbling to learn how each person ended up at Duke. This sense of community was even strong in the athletic community. Fellow student-athletes, coaches, staff, etc. taught me to never settle. Every student-athlete was the best from wherever they came from prior to Duke – coaches and staff included. With that understood, the expected standard was higher. I learned to push myself to a level I didn't think was possible, both mentally and physically. The athletic community trained me to be comfortable being uncomfortable because that is where the most impactful growth occurs. Â
What does it mean to you to be an alumna of DUFH?
Sarah: Being a part of Duke True is something I will never take for granted. It was an honor to play for Duke and I couldn't have asked for better teammates. Duke True goes beyond the field and the individual. We learned very early on that Duke True is about something much bigger than yourself.
How do you stay connected with field hockey and/or the program?
Sarah: I am very fortunate to live in New York with many former teammates. I call New York "Duke 2.0." We have a big group chat that is generally written in daily, constantly making new plans and activities in New York. Even teammates that don't live in the city come to visit often. The memories with Duke True continue! Â
#GoDuke
Â
Furey, a 2018 graduate, was a four-year starter on the Blue Devils back line and helped guide the program to four straight NCAA quarterfinal appearances, including a trip to the national semifinals in 2015. She started in all 82 games of her career and was an NFHCA All-South Region selection as a senior. Furey was a vice captain as a junior before becoming a captain her senior year.
The New Jersey native earned NFHCA National Academic Squad and ACC Academic Honor Roll honors all four years while being a three-time member of the All-ACC Academic Team. She received a Heidrick Family Leadership Postgraduate Scholarship from Duke and was an ACC Top Six for Service Award recipient as a senior.
Earning a bachelor's degree in psychology, Furey moved to New York City where she works in financial marketing and innovation at Citibank.
If you could go back to the beginning of your freshman year at Duke, what is one piece of advice you would tell yourself?
Sarah: Enjoy every moment. The four years I spent at Duke were the fastest thus far. In the blink of an eye, I went form being on my official visit, meeting my future teammates to being at Michigan State, putting on my Duke jersey for my first game to being at the front row in Wallace Wade Stadium and throwing my graduation cap in the air with teammates that became like sisters. In four years, I grew and developed in more ways than I could imagine. It's easy to get distracted with all the commotion of college life. I would tell myself, as well as any incoming freshmen, cherish the ups and embrace the downs. Enjoy it all. These moments together are what make the college experience as a Duke student-athlete so extraordinary.
What is your favorite memory from being on the field hockey team at Duke?
Sarah: My favorite memory was beating North Carolina at home to claim the regular-season ACC title. Even though I received a major black eye during that game, it was a great team win and was an extremely fun game to play. Everyone was relaxed and played well. I remember the pride and excitement of the team when the final buzzer sounded in that game…Duke True.
Is there a phrase/advice that you've carried with you from Coach Bustin?
Sarah: "Be where your feet are." The first time I heard Pam say this, she was referring to practice time vs. class time. When we were on the field, we were to be fully focused on practice. No upcoming test, outside commitment or any other distraction was to get in the way of that concentration. The same idea was expected when we were in the classroom – our concentration was to be on the class's topic of discussion and nothing else, including field hockey. The more I heard it, the more I realized how comprehensive this mantra was and still is today. I have carried it with me much after my last game as it is applicable in most scenarios, especially in a time like the world is currently experiencing. It is easy to become overwhelmed. However, if your entire focus is on what is directly in front, you give yourself the best opportunity to succeed in that moment. You can only give 110% effort to one thing at a time. Stay focused and alert on the present in order to tackle situations head on is what Pam taught me.
How did you benefit the most being a student-athlete at Duke?
Sarah: The entire Duke community is so special. There is a sense of pride on campus. Everyone has a story to tell worth listening. In my classes, it was common to sit in a class with representation from all seven continents. It was incredibly humbling to learn how each person ended up at Duke. This sense of community was even strong in the athletic community. Fellow student-athletes, coaches, staff, etc. taught me to never settle. Every student-athlete was the best from wherever they came from prior to Duke – coaches and staff included. With that understood, the expected standard was higher. I learned to push myself to a level I didn't think was possible, both mentally and physically. The athletic community trained me to be comfortable being uncomfortable because that is where the most impactful growth occurs. Â
What does it mean to you to be an alumna of DUFH?
Sarah: Being a part of Duke True is something I will never take for granted. It was an honor to play for Duke and I couldn't have asked for better teammates. Duke True goes beyond the field and the individual. We learned very early on that Duke True is about something much bigger than yourself.
How do you stay connected with field hockey and/or the program?
Sarah: I am very fortunate to live in New York with many former teammates. I call New York "Duke 2.0." We have a big group chat that is generally written in daily, constantly making new plans and activities in New York. Even teammates that don't live in the city come to visit often. The memories with Duke True continue! Â
#GoDuke
Â
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