The Ignatian - December 2016 Vol 26 July Edition Vol 27 | Page 34
Alumni in Focus
Clarence (CJ)
McCarthy-Grogan
Photos CJ proudly bears the trophy for the UTA wheelchair basketball team's historic win.
My name is Clarence McCarthy-Grogan, mostly known as CJ, and
I am 23 years old. I was born with Fibula Limb Deficiency, which
requires me to use a wheelchair to get around.
For me, attending Riverview opened so many doors and different
opportunities. Not only did it help with my sporting career, but
it also helped me in life. Being a boarder forced me out of my
comfort zone, and I learnt that I would have to work hard in order
to achieve my goals for the future. As I reflect on my time as a
student at Riverview, it was also where my journey as a wheelchair
basketball athlete started.
While in high school, I represented the state in the Junior
Wheelchair Basketball team and began playing in the National
Wheelchair Basketball League (NWBL). Since leaving Riverview
in 2011, I’ve had the honour of representing our country at
international championships in Turkey, Thailand and Dubai.
3 4 | I G N ATI A N | J U LY 2 0 1 7
The past 12 months for me have been amazing, as I joined the
University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) as a student-athlete and
playing wheelchair basketball for the UTA Movin’ Mavs. Last year,
we defeated the University of Wisconsin’s Whitewater WarHawks,
breaking an 11 year drought and making history. I was also
personally privileged to become the first Indigenous Australian to
win a US College grand final.
Looking back, I know that if I hadn’t left Darwin to attend
Riverview, I more than likely would not have made it to where
I am today. I plan to finish my studies at UTA to become a
journalist, and I look forward to another four years of playing
College wheelchair basketball.
My parents always taught me that if you really want to achieve
bigger and better things, then you must get out of your comfort
zone. I know from experience that it’s definitely not easy, but you’ll
never know if you don’t try.