Brian Morse

What is your name? What grade are you currently in academically, if applicable? What year is this for you at this school or what year did you graduate? 

My name is Brian Morse, and I’m currently a sophomore in college. I attended The Gunnery—now called the Frederick Gunn School—for two years, with my sophomore year being 2019–2020.

Which preparatory school did you attend, and what key factors influenced your decision to enroll at that institution? 

I chose The Gunnery because of its strong hockey program and the financial aid that made it possible for me to attend.

Please describe a typical day during the competitive season, including your schedule and the balance between training, academics, and other commitments. 

During the hockey season, my day ran from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for classes, followed by team practice at 3:30 for just over an hour. We didn’t have team workouts, so if you wanted to train, you had to do it before class. After practice, I’d eat dinner and get back to my dorm by 5:30 or 6:00. I usually had one to two hours of homework each night.

How does your daily routine differ during the off-season? Outline your typical activities, including any training, rest, or personal development efforts. 

In the fall, I played split-season hockey on weekends with the Springfield Rifles and participated in soccer and lacrosse at school. Those sports took up less time than hockey, giving me a little more flexibility.

How did you manage to balance your athletic responsibilities with your academic coursework? Feel free to share specific strategies or resources that were particularly helpful. 

I tried not to procrastinate and to stay productive with my time. There were plenty of academic resources available if you reached out for help, which made it easier to keep up with classes.

What are your professional objectives over the next five years, and in what ways has attending a preparatory school contributed to or shaped these goals? 

I’m playing Division I hockey at Ferris State University and plan to keep playing as long as I can. Prep school taught me valuable lessons in responsibility, discipline, and time management that have made college life much easier.

If you could offer one piece of advice to prospective students considering a similar preparatory program, what would it be and why? My biggest advice is to surround yourself with people who truly want the best for you. Prep school was one of the best experiences of my life—it pushed me to grow up fast and built friendships I’ll never forget.