Today we are highlighting and celebrating 2020-21 Purple Blanket Award Recipient, Patrick Gogan of the Mustangs Rowing Team.
Video Interview with Winner Patrick Gogan
To view a video interview with Patrick Gogan and Men's Rowing Team Head Coach, Dr. Daniel Bechard, please click below. For closed captioning options, please view the interview on our YouTube platform https://youtu.be/T9GymnSzIQY
Purple Blanket Awards are granted to students who, often in their graduating year, are nominated by their coaches and chosen by members of the Selection Committee. Nominated individuals must have been a Western Mustangs student athlete for a minimum of three (3) years, have received a minimum of three (3) First Colour Awards throughout their career, and have been an active participant in their respective sport at the time of recommendation.
Gogan is part of the Western Mustangs Rowing Team and has been with the team since the 2016-17 season. Gogan has been awarded three (3) First Colour Awards in the 2017-28, 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons. He was an OUA All Star in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, and in the same seasons, was awarded the team's Men's Lightweight M.V.P. He helped his team place first in the OUA in the 2016-17, 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, and second in the 2019-20 Canadian University Rowing Championships.
He individually placed in the OUA and Canadian University Rowing Championships across all four of his seasons with the Mustangs. Gogan was also awarded gold in the Canadian Summer Games in the Men's Eight competition in the 2017-18 season, and he was recently invited to row alongside the United States National Team.
Rowing Team Head Coach Dr. Daniel Bechard noted Gogan's perseverance throughout his career and his determination to lead his team. "He displayed a drive and desire to succeed and also the personal qualities required for leadership." said Coach Bechard. "[Gogan] is an intelligent, analytical, and positive influence that other student-athletes gravitate towards and coaches love to collaborate with." explained Coach Bechard.
Outside of his competitions and practice, Gogan was elected to the Western Rowing student athlete executive team, where he assumed the role of Vice President of Finance. Gogan has recently finished his Bachelor's degree in the Faculty of Science at Western.
We want to extend congratulations to Patrick Gogan for all your accomplishments with the Western Mustangs and for being awarded a 2020-21 Purple Blanket.
