Impact Of A Scholarship: Brooke Cabrera

For many winning two national titles at the best field hockey program in the country would be the achievement of a lifetime. For former University of Maryland goalkeeper Brooke Cabrera, the friendships made and life lessons learned while being a student-athlete made her experience in College Park mean so much more.

“Winning the 2010 National Championship at home was a highlight,” said Cabrera “But I'd trade that for all of the memories I had living with the Terps, staying in and going out, practicing on the field and trips on the bus to games.”

Cabrera stepped onto campus for the first time during her senior year of high school to watch a game. She met legendary coach Missy Meharg and from the minute she met the team she could tell how loved and respected the Hall of Fame coach was by her student-athletes. That interaction is one she says she’ll never forget.

“Despite being the No. 1 field hockey program in the nation, the team knew how to have fun. They worked hard and were super intense in the most positive way, and you could feel the strength and love in the team dynamic everywhere you turned,” said Cabrera.

Cabrera grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut, as one of six children. Surrounded by a big family, sports always played a huge role in her home life. Her uncle, Jim, was an All-American lacrosse player at Duke, her dad, Joe, was an All-Ivy League running back at Columbia, and her brother, Jim, was an All-American lacrosse player at Middlebury.

“It was fun to grow up with all of the kids being similar ages and we all played sports” said Cabrera. “Coming to Maryland felt like my family grew that much bigger.”

Being a student-athlete was a huge part of her identity at Maryland. She finished her career with the Terps on full scholarship as the starting goalie and captain, and was humbled to be given the opportunity.   

“Missy always proudly reported the fact that the entire team was on scholarship and I think that says something about both the athletic and academic opportunity at the University of Maryland,” said Cabrera. “More so than anything, I am grateful for scholarships because it afforded some of my best friends the opportunity to excel in a sport they loved and set themselves up for success in their futures.”

She also credits her experience at Maryland for giving her access to an international network. After graduating, Cabrera traveled the world and stayed on the couches of current and former Terps everywhere. She also found common ground with Terps closer to home.

“There is a massive network of Terps in New York City (40,000) and every Terp I've met shares the same passion I do for our school,” she said.

Cabrera now works for JPMorgan Chase on their retail real estate team. She develops high level real estate strategy, identifies sites and negotiates leases to open Chase Bank branches as a part of the bank's expansion into New England. 

She was formerly the president of the New York Terps and currently sits on the organization’s board. She points to the skills she learned on the field as ones she still uses now.

“Playing field hockey taught me more about life than I could have ever asked for. The importance of preparation, dedication, showing up, communication, leadership and grit. I apply this to my everyday life as a woman in the working world,” Cabrera said.

Cabrera also volunteers for the United Way of New York City, and has been active with the group for over five years.

“I grew up wearing the Live United T-Shirt and their cause focuses on supporting low income New Yorkers from a sustainable angle,” she said. “I am on the Executive Committee for the Young Leaders Council (YLC) and I help grow the group by helping to create awareness, attract and retain members and fundraise among many other initiatives.”

Cabrera's leadership and hard work on and off the field has led her to an expansive amount of opportunities, an exciting career and an incredible resume.

“My life is forever changed as a result of being a student-athlete at the University of Maryland and I will be forever grateful.” said Cabrera “The friendships that will last a lifetime, the Terps that will be in my wedding and the doors that have opened just by being associated with UMD are priceless.”