FOXBOROUGH - While many of today's youth are forgoing years of college to become professional athletes, Zak Boggs is headed in the opposite direction.
The third-year midfielder has retired from the New England Revolution in order to accept a Fulbright Scholarship to study medical sciences at Englands Leicester University, beginning this fall.
We want to wish Zak the best of luck as he re-enters the academic world, Revolution General Manager Michael Burns said. Zak has had a passion for medical research his entire time with us, which he was able to balance with his playing career. But this is an outstanding opportunity for him, and one which allows him to continue his cancer research at a higher level.
Boggs, 25, was drafted in the second round (31st overall) in 2010. In three years, he played in 29 games, recording three goals and an assist. Two of those goals came in his first career start, in a game against Columbus.
But this season was a bit of a disappointment for Boggs, who had yet to get on the field for the Revs after suffering a severe ankle sprain in February.
Boggs' trophy case includes the 2011 MLS Humanitarian of the Year award, which he won for his ongoing volunteer research at Boston Childrens Hospital. Since 2010, Boggs has assisted in research of potential cancer diagnostics and prognostics.