When Tyler Morrill '10 sustained his sixth concussion over the last four years during a Sept. 6 game against the Wentworth Institute of Technology, his availability for the rest of the season was called into question. Ten days later, persuaded in part by a New York Times article he read last year about concussions in the National Football League, Morrill decided to put an end to his competitive soccer career.

"I read about how dangerous concussions can be in the long term and that really opened my eyes," he said. "As much as I like soccer, I had to make the right decision."

Morrill was the team's starting center midfielder, a position that makes one susceptible to head injuries. He had one goal and two assists in 21 games as a part-time starter last season, and one goal in his first three games this season.

According to a November 2003 study by the Michigan Fitness Foundation, concussions are common injuries in soccer, and are usually sustained when the head collides with another player's head, the ground or the goal post. According to WebMD, depending on the severity of the impact, recovery can take weeks. People who already have suffered a concussion have a greater risk of experiencing a more serious concussion in the future.

Morrill said the worst part of the injury isn't the concussion itself, but rather the side effects felt afterwards. Morrill still feels some symptoms of post-concussion syndrome, which include splitting headaches and nausea, and said he also has trouble focusing when reading.

"It's hard to go through school, let alone Brandeis, when you're in an altered mental state," he said.

Morrill sustained his first concussion while snowboarding and five more playing soccer, including one in each of his first two years at Brandeis.

A self-described soccer aficionado, Morrill said the decision to retire wasn't easy, and also said he is considering playing intramural soccer.

"Just being on the field, when [you're] playing in a good game, you get this feeling inside, [and] I'll miss that," he said.