Carson Becoming a Leader on and off the Field

Mary Carson shows up to the gym with the same intention she brings to every practice: to help people get better. Only this time, she's trading her lacrosse stick for a whistle and a few words of encouragement.

Carson has spent the past year volunteering with EXPAND, a Boulder-based recreational therapy program for people with disabilities. Whether she's coaching basketball, flag football, or leading art sessions, the work has become an extension of who she is—an athlete who believes in the power of community.

"It's rewarding being able to give people access to something I've always had," she said. "Especially with sports, because it has given me so much."

Carson first discovered EXPAND while searching for a summer job and pursuing opportunities to serve.

"I was looking into volunteering for the CU Best Buddies Club, and then I found EXPAND online," she recalled. "I wanted a summer job that gave me experience."

That experience quickly grew into something bigger.

Over the summer, she worked at Camp Amico, a day camp for kids ages 10 to 17 that focuses on helping attendees build social skills, independence, friendship building and leisure education. When the school year started, she continued volunteering in EXPAND's therapy-based sports programs, helping run basketball sessions for participants aged 5 to 18.

"In the fall, I did flag football and volleyball, which was really fun," she said. "I've done some art as well."

For Carson, the work isn't just about the activities; it's about the people.
"I get to work with a lot of the same people throughout the year," she noted. "Seeing the progress they make has been awesome."

Some of Carson's favorite memories come from watching participants overcome fears and try something new.

"Throughout the summer, we always went to the rec center to swim," she explained. "Some kids came into camp, and their parents were very concerned about the pool. But by the end of the summer, they were swimming and having fun on their own. They didn't even need me to be there."

That kind of growth, she said, is what keeps her coming back.

"It's grounding," Carson expressed. "Playing competitive sports, you can lose sight of all the amazing things sports bring. This work reminds me of what sports are at their simplest—community, people learning new skills, and that pure joy."

As a psychology major, Carson is planning to pursue a master's degree in counseling with a focus on clinical mental health.

"I'm passionate about working with this population," she said. "Even if it's not what I end up doing for work, I'll stay involved in volunteering."

The lessons she's learned through EXPAND have already shaped how she sees her future.

"Everyone should have experience working with diverse populations," she said. "I've seen people get dysregulated or out of routine, and learning how to handle those situations applies to working with anyone."

For Carson, it's also a reminder to keep perspective when things get tough on the field.

"Of course, you feel humbled working with people who deal with harder things every day," she said. "It helps me remember there's more to life than just the nitty-gritty of college lacrosse."

Carson said the sense of connection she's found at EXPAND is unlike anything else. And she encourages others to join in on the volunteering, too.

"The community's amazing," she said. "All my coworkers are awesome, and the families of the participants are great. I've made a lot of connections.

"Anyone can volunteer at EXPAND. They're always looking for volunteers—high school kids all the way up."

On the lacrosse field, Carson was selected as one of three team captains for the 2026 season. She has helped solidify the defensive end of the field for the Buffs, who have held all six opponents this season to single-digit scoring.

For now, Carson continues to balance practice, classes, and volunteer shifts—each one reminding her why she fell in love with sports in the first place.

"It's helped me get back to that simple joy," she said. "And it's something I want to carry with me wherever I go."

Season and single-game tickets are on sale now at CUBuffs.com/WlaxTix

For more information on Colorado Lacrosse, please visit cubuffs.com/wlax. Fans of the Buffs can follow @cubuffswlax on Instagram, X, TikTok, and Facebook.

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