The Right Moves, continued...

Coming to Holy Cross was not Gough’s first choice.

He had his heart set on going to his dad’s alma mater, Notre Dame. He had attended showcase football camps in South Bend, Ill., and performed impressively. Gough had been Chicago Catholic League’s Offensive MVP as a fleet running back for Fenwick High. Yet, at 5-foot-10-inch, 175 pounds, he wasn’t attracting any collegiate offers.

Fate intervened. Bob Bradley, then an assistant coach, was reviewing the game films of a Midwestern prospect whose team had played Fenwick. Bradley’s keen eye caught the quickness of Fenwick’s running back. He checked into Gough’s background: A team captain in football, wrestling and track. Good student, natural leader, excellent speed. Best back in his league. What’s not to like. Holy Cross invited Gough for a weekend visit.

“At Holy Cross they treated me like gold,” says Gough.

“We want to sign you today!” he was told. Gough didn’t hesitate.

“I felt wanted here,” he says.

Gough has had a fantastic ride. He endured his “low point” as he suffered through an injury, the 1-11 season of 2003 and the death of head coach Dan Allen. He has put his desire to play offensive aside in order to become a sure-tackling cornerback on a defense that needs him badly.

Gough has felt the rush of a 7-4 season—the Crusaders’ best in six seasons—and reached his “high point” against Harvard, while prolonging the enjoyment of the camaraderie that goes along with the one-for-all attitude instilled by Coach Gilmore.

Entering 2007, Gough had run back 54 kickoffs for 1,370 yards. He has made amazing runs, such as a 92-yard kickoff jaunt against San Diego State to set up a tying touchdown with time running out. Gough had outstanding games, winning the Johnny Turco Memorial Trophy for his big plays against Fordham last fall. Twice he has garnered the Rev. William F. Davitt 1907 Award for his superb defensive play. Gough has climbed from second-team to first-team all-league, from honorable mention All-America to becoming a preseason choice as first-team All-America.

Academically, he has achieved Patriot League Academic Honor Roll status. More importantly, Gough says, he has learned to develop strong relationships with professors and others in his major, sociology. He speaks of Ed Thompson, head of the sociology and anthropology department, as being “an inspiration.’’

Gough has also given back, as a participant in the Big Brother, Big Sister program. He has been there to cheer on other campus organizations and teams, such as the basketball teams that advanced to the 2006 NCAA tournaments.

This semester, Gough added a concentration in gender studies in order to satisfy Patriot League rules that he perform as a full-time student while playing football. He has enjoyed his relationships with his classmates, his teammates, his teachers. Gough has loved every minute of his Holy Cross experience, so why wouldn’t he want to stay a little longer at The Dance …

Dancing may reveal as much about Gough’s zest for life as football.

In the spring of his junior year, he chose modern dance as an elective.
“I had no dancing background,” Gough says. “I couldn’t do the one-step. I was joking about it with my parents. I thought it would be fun. I’d be learning by doing for a change, not listening to lectures.”

A lone guy and a dozen women signed up for Kaela Lee’s modern dance class. He endured the locker-room ribbing, overcame the awkward stage and his shyness. Gough grew comfortable while bending women over backward during certain routines. He relished the free flow of movement and the flexibility that dance developed. He appreciated the agility needed to leap and spin on one leg.

At semester’s end, Gough took to the stage for the class recital. His teammates were in the audience, applauding. They were impressed. Last spring, he took modern dance again. This time there were 17 women and Casey.

His self-confidence must have been contagious. “Next spring, more than 20 guys on the team are signing up for modern dance,” he says.

In shoulder pads or a leotard, Casey Gough is a true leader—always on his toes and a guy with all the right moves.

John W. Gearan ’65, was an award-winning reporter and columnist at the Worcester Telegram and Gazette for 36 years. He resides in Woonsocket, R.I., with his wife, Karen Maguire, and their daughter, Molly.