Impact Of A Scholarship: Catie May

Before beginning medical school or coaching wheelchair lacrosse, Catie May (‘21) was a student-athlete at the University of Maryland. May excelled both on the field as a part of Maryland’s elite lacrosse program and in the classroom as a public health science major. 

Now, in her second year of pursuing a Doctor of Medicine degree from Baltimore’s University of Maryland School of Medicine, May recognizes the significance of her student-athlete scholarship and how it equipped her to pursue her passions for athletics and health. 

“I never felt like I had to choose between the two,” May said. “My coaches, the support staff and the donors gave us so many tools to succeed. I’m just so grateful.”

May undoubtedly made the most of her time with the Maryland women’s lacrosse team from 2018-21. The Terps won the 2019 NCAA national championship and two Big Ten Tournament titles (2021 and 2022). They also appeared in the Final Four three times (2021, 2022 and 2024). 

As an attacker, May finished her career scoring 85 points (39 goals and 46 assists). She was also a team leader, serving as the Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee representative for Maryland women’s lacrosse.  

May is one of four sisters. She remembers getting into lacrosse early, thanks to her two older siblings. 

“We all played sports starting at a young age,” May said. “[My sister] and I watched [our] older sisters start playing lacrosse. … [We] decided it was time for us to join in too. We always played a year or two up. But our sisters definitely brought us into lacrosse.”

All four May sisters went on to play Division I women’s lacrosse, including Catie’s younger sister, Libby May, who recently finished her fifth year as a Terp. 

Growing up in Sparks, Md., about forty-five minutes away from College Park, May felt connected to Maryland lacrosse long before officially joining the team. 

“I always went to Maryland games, watched Maryland, went to all the Final Fours that Maryland was a part of,” May said. “I always had a desire to go to Maryland.”

May recalled her fateful call with the Terps’ legendary head coach, Cathy Reese, and her resulting campus recruitment visit. 

“Getting a call from Cathy was like a dream come true,” May said. “As soon as I stepped foot on campus, I knew it was the school for me. I immediately felt super comfortable with the coaches. All the players I met were awesome and so welcoming.”

May was also drawn to the broad academic offerings of a large state university like Maryland.  She utilized those offerings to become a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar. 

“I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted to study,” May said. “Maryland was a great fit because you can kind of do anything there. They have pretty much everything you could want. The amazing historical [lacrosse] program and then being able to study whatever I want was awesome.”

May found a path within Maryland’s health and science offerings and majored in public health science. However, pursuing a STEM degree while working towards NCAA championships was an ambitious undertaking, leading May to co-found Pre-Health Terps. The program is part of Maryland Made and serves as an outlet for student-athletes studying health-related disciplines. 

“It was definitely a lot, I think some days were harder than others,” May said. “Having people who [were] like-minded doing similar career paths was so huge. We were able to share tips on how to get clinical experience and how to navigate going from practice to class and all that.”

After graduating from Maryland, May stuck around College Park to conduct clinical research in orthopedics at the university before applying to medical school. The two gap years away from school and sports reinforced May’s interest in combining her backgrounds in athletics and health. 

“My sports background is playing a role in my decision-making process,” May said. “I’m hoping to be able to take care of athletes in the future.”

May was chosen as one of 11 M Club 2024 Rodman Postgraduate Scholarship recipients before entering her second year of school in Baltimore. The M Club awards thousands of dollars in scholarships yearly to former student-athletes who want to continue their education after graduation.

Over the summer, May coached lacrosse for children in wheelchairs or with limb differences and interned as a trainer for women’s sports teams to work specifically with female athletes. 

May recognizes how essential her undergraduate experience at Maryland was in her journey to becoming a doctor. She expressed gratitude for the Terrapin Club donors' help support her personal and professional aspirations. 

“I want to thank them so much for all the generous support they give the student-athletes,” May said. “Their donations helped me achieve both of my goals, playing at the highest level and also pursuing a career in medicine. I’m so grateful and wouldn't be where I am without them.”