Lauren Purvis has always known she wanted to come to Penn State, but deciding what sport she wanted to play was another story for the high school senior.
As an All-American field hockey and lacrosse player, Purvis was recruited by Penn State field hockey coach Char Morett and lacrosse coach Suzanne Isidor. Both coaches wanted Purvis, so they talked it over and came up with a solution Purvis couldn't even dream of -- she can play both sports.
"I didn't think it was an option," Purvis said. "Some people think it's crazy, but I think it's going to be good."
The Hatboro native will suit up for Morett in the fall while the lacrosse team is conditioning and working on fall practices and then switch and suit up for Isidor as the field hockey team conditions.
Her coaches are excited for the rare opportunity Purvis is receiving.
"Playing both lacrosse and field hockey will be really challenging, a huge challenge, but if anyone is up for the challenge, it's Lauren," Isidor said. "We are really confident she will be able to handle it."
Isidor and Morett both coached Purvis at their respective summer training camps and are both happy with the solution. Morett said the main thing the coaches focused on was getting Purvis to Penn State, and the two coaches felt it was the best place and opportunity for her.
Purvis is no stranger to Penn State, with family ties including her sister, Jenny, a junior forward on the field hockey team, and her mother, Sue, who played field hockey with Morett in the late 70s.
Both Purvis sisters are excited for the chance to play together again after playing lacrosse and field hockey together in high school.
"It was one of the best of experiences of my life," Jenny Purvis said. "Having her as one of the best friends on my team is going to be awesome."
The sisters have a great relationship, Lauren said, and Jenny has already given her advice on college and field hockey.
But as far as the challenge of being a dual sport student-athlete, Jenny said she couldn't help.
"I've tried but I have no idea how it's going to be for her playing two sports," she said. "I think it will be nice, because she won't have any offseason training which is tough. It'll be nice so she's always playing something."
One person who can understand is Morett, an All-American for Penn State's field hockey and lacrosse teams. Morett was a key part in the lacrosse team's second national title. After graduating, she played field hockey at the national level before coaching.
Morett said she is concerned about whether Lauren will be able to embrace the student side of Penn State and fully experience being a college student. Though situations like Lauren's are rare, Morett has coached players in the past who have also played for both teams.
"I think if the student-athlete is capable academically and athletically, we look at that if we're willing to endorse a situation like this," Morett said. "Lauren's an outstanding student and athlete. She can help both programs."
Morett has known the Purvis sisters ever since they were young children and their mother would bring them along when helping Morett at camps
Lauren said her parents were supportive of her and her decision, and she isn't concerned about stretching herself by playing both. She said she is already playing sports year-round, and she is giving herself plenty of time to mentally and physically prepare.
As far as picking a favorite, Purvis said it depends on which she is playing at the time -- which isn't a bad thing for her future teams.
"Lauren is such a hard worker, very organized and responsible," Isidor said. "She really loves both, so it's going to be good for everyone."
