After a standout collegiate career with Xavier University in the BIG EAST, Catherine Gurd is set to embark on an exciting new chapter this fall, making the move to England where she will continue both her lacrosse career and education as a postgraduate student-athlete.

The Ohio native will spend 12 months in the UK after accepting a postgraduate scholarship at one of the country’s top sporting universities. Alongside pursuing her master's in Clinical Exercise Psychology, she will return to the pitch for another season, extending her student-athlete journey while experiencing life overseas.

Catherine's impact at Xavier University extended well beyond her 45 appearances for the Musketeers. A four-time BIG EAST All-Academic Team selection and team captain, her leadership, commitment and passion for the programme made her an integral member of the team.

Looking to build on her successful career at Xavier, Catherine entered the UK postgraduate recruitment process and attracted interest from several universities before committing to one of the country’s leading university lacrosse programmes.

Catherine's move reflects a growing trend among NCAA graduates who are choosing the UK to extend their student-athlete careers.

Unlike NCAA competition, UK eligibility rules allow graduates to continue competing alongside their postgraduate studies, creating a unique opportunity to combine another year of collegiate sport with a master's degree.

While the chance to continue competing initially sparked Catherine’s interest, several other factors influenced her decision to make the move overseas. Master's degrees in the UK are typically completed in just 12 months, tuition costs are often lower than comparable US programmes, and former NCAA student-athletes can frequently secure substantial athletic scholarships based on their collegiate experience.

Catherine was supported throughout the entire process by UK-based company Play Overseas, which provides a free service to graduating and former student-athletes, helping them identify postgraduate scholarship opportunities that allow them to continue their athletic careers while furthering their education overseas.

Play Overseas is currently recruiting student-athletes for 2027 entry and beyond. Any student who wishes to explore the possibility of playing a further year of college sport in the UK while pursuing a master’s degree can register their interest here: https://app.playoverseas.co.uk/register

Article provided by Play Overseas on August 21, 2026.