Nursing Student-Athletes Excel Beyond the Game

Some of their titles have included conference champion, regional champion, and even national champion.

Yet, for former Adelphi University nursing majors and standout athletes Morgan Salmon '24, Connor Malley '24 and Deanna Dempsey '19, the real victory was mastering the dual disciplines of nursing and athletics. Meeting this challenge-balancing time on the playing surface with hours in clinical rotations and the rigorous coursework of a nursing degree-has redefined what success means for each of them.

"It's not easy, but it's absolutely worth it," said Salmon, a registered nurse and recent star women's soccer player whose dedication over four seasons earned her the title of NE10 Woman of the Year in 2024, making her the fifth Panther all-time to win the award-a record among schools in the conference.

A Dean's List student and Adelphi's 2024 Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Salmon maintained a spectacular 3.854 cumulative grade point average over four years, exemplifying her commitment to excellence in both athletics and academics.

As captain of the team her senior year, Salmon led the Panthers to their first NCAA Division II Women's Soccer National Championship Final Four in 20 years. Her performance during the storybook season stamped her as a College Sports Communicators First Team Academic All-American and as only the second member of the women's soccer program to win the NE10 Defensive Player of the Year award.

She was also named one of the top 30 finalists for 2024 NCAA Woman of the Year. This recognition, one of the highest honors for female student-athletes nationwide, celebrates excellence among women, both on the field and in the classroom.

For Salmon, making it work meant a commitment to an airtight schedule and the ability to prioritize well-being. "You can do it!" she assures prospective nursing student-athletes. "Many people suggest you must choose between nursing school and athletics, but I can confidently say that's not true."

With a steady support system and professors who helped her navigate her schedule, Salmon applies these lessons daily now as a cardiac/telemetry nurse.

Malley, a men's lacrosse national champion in 2024, recalled how he and his teammates overcame a 5-2 deficit against defending national champion Lenoir-Rhyne University in May to claim Adelphi's first NCAA Division II National Championship since 2001.

Played at the iconic Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, the season's final game highlighted the grit and tenacity Malley brought to both his athletics and academics. "You become aware of how crucial every minute is," he explained, "whether it's getting in that extra practice on the field or finding a few minutes to study for an exam." This structure carried Malley through his studies to a 3.48 GPA and onto the NE10 Academic Honor Roll, earning him merits for his athletic and academic prowess.

Balance and Tenacity

A balanced approach, Malley noted, is essential. For him, the mental endurance honed on the field translated into a steadfast determination in his studies. The coaches and faculty especially provided a seamless network of encouragement, allowing him to participate fully in both realms. "They understood when I had a big exam coming up or clinical the next day," he reflected. "Their support was crucial."

In addition, said Caitlin McElroy, director of strategic initiatives at the College of Nursing and Public Health, "Many [student-athletes] work with [director of the college's Clinical Education and Simulation Lab] Tony Egan for lab accommodations, given their hectic schedules." That same tenacity defined Deanna Dempsey's experience as a member of the women's golf team, given the unique demands of that sport.

Golf, unlike other sports, demands intense focus over a season that spans both semesters. Dempsey joined the team just a year after Adelphi launched its women's golf program, and her contributions helped the team secure a fourth-place finish in the NE10 Championship in 2016-the team's first season competing as a full squad.

"Our championship season was in the fall, but we competed again in the spring, with tournaments that often took us on the road for three days at a time," she explained. To stay on top of her work, Dempsey relied on her laptop and study materials during travel, completing assignments on buses and in hotel rooms to ensure her academics stayed a priority.

A benchmark of consistency, she was named to the NE10 Academic Honor Roll all eight semesters at Adelphi, graduating with a stellar 3.9 GPA.

Dempsey, whose career began in the pediatric intensive care unit at Cohen Children's Medical Center in New Hyde Park, NY, is now working toward her master's degree as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Adelphi. "Being a student athlete and nursing major taught me invaluable skills," she shared. "Teamwork, time management, and the ability to handle both success and failure have been instrumental in my career."

Through balancing the rigors of nursing with the demands of top-level athletics, the stories of Salmon, Malley and Dempsey reflect not only their perseverance, but also the remarkable strength of character required to navigate two of the most challenging pursuits in college life.

Salmon's advice to prospective nursing student-athletes? "These four years will pass quickly," she said. "Enjoy the journey and prioritize yourself. This isn't just about achieving a degree; it's about building resilience and becoming stronger with every step."

For each, Adelphi's College of Nursing and Public Health was more than a place to earn a degree; it was a community that enabled them to flourish, both as professionals and as people.