From there, word has gotten out, thanks to social media. Ambassadors can reach back out to Dona for presentations on a variety of topics, We supply ambassadors with science-based, factual information and then encourage conversation, she said of the support the organization lends. Former Duke teammate Anne Slusser did, too. If I can honor Morgan, its a cherry on top.. WebMorgan Rodgers grew up in Colorado and Washington D.C.. Her dream came true in the fall of 2014 when she accepted an One story originally told on the podcast by Vanderbilt attacker Cailin Bracken turned into a viral written piece that was re-published with permission on the USA Lacrosse Magazine website this spring and made it all the way to the popular morning program Good Morning America.. How could I miss these signs? We want to make sure that you are on a more secure browser and that you have the best experience with IWLCARecruits as possible. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. She asks her athletes about their families, their homework and about themselves beyond lacrosse. Its really hard to put into words how special its been to see something I had a very small part in getting started grow into something that so many people seek a lot of advocacy through. Threats of harming another Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. Morgans Message has made such an impact, even outside of Warrenton, and is taking big steps towards the end of the mental health stigma in athletes. Morgans Message recruits and supports ambassadors at high schools, colleges and universities, who organize meetings to encourage dialogue around mental health. Her energy empowers those she has left behind to transform devastation into action. If they need to call you at 3 a.m., youre there at 3 a.m.. Earlier this month, Bracken opened up about her experience in an essay titled, A Letter to College Sports, for The Mental Matchup. [If] I had a good day of practice, I was happy, and if I had a bad day of practice, I didnt want to talk to anyone, Bracken said. She was so excited, and we all sighed a breath of relief, thinking she was going to overcome this, recalled her mom. Top: Morgan Rodgers with her parents, Dona and Kurt Rodgers, courtesy of Morgans Message. Stay locally informed your way. On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Over her time at Duke shes learned the practices best for her wellness physical, emotional and mental. When she arrived in Durham, Zempolich said she seemed bubbly but a little frustrated by her lack of playing time during fall ball and the spring of her freshman year. She always knew about the best new tracks and was essentially the locker room DJ as a player on the womens lacrosse team at She has participated in a variety of panels, including at the Atlantic Coast Conference Health and Safety Summit last year, is the mental health liaison for the Student-Athlete Advisory Council, is an active member of Athlete Ally and a part of the Native American Student Alliance at Duke. Shes someone that was always dancing or messing around and was kind of a forever young spirit. She sustained an injury during a lacrosse practice at Duke University in January 2017; following surgery and six weeks of no-weight bearing recovery, she began As an underclassman in high school, several high-caliber programs recruited Morgan to play Division I Womens Lacrosse. People always have time for you. This time, Morgan chose to suffer in silence, keeping family and friends in the dark as she battled her mental health. DURHAM, N.C. -- The Duke University campus is mourning the loss of a student. Ideally we would like to have representatives from all the sports teams on every campus, said Morgans mother -- and Morgans Message founder -- Dona Rodgers. In 2019, Morgan Rodgers, who played midfield for Duke Universitys girls lacrosse team, died by suicide. Your donation will help us continue to improve our journalism through in-depth local news coverage and expanded reader engagement. Its kind of cool to see our relationship grow from patient to therapist to now where its also a working relationship where we try to tackle the stigma of mental health together while also talking about things I continue to struggle with.. She cared a lot about her friends.. You can reach Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860 (U.S.) or 877-330-6366 (Canada) and The Trevor Project at 866-488-7386. Bracken wrote that when she hears stories like theirs, she feels fear, adding, "It scares me so much to wonder if it couldve been my team; if it couldve been me.. We joke that Morgan was good at everything she did. I decided to become an ambassador because this topic means the world to me. Greater Ronkonkoma MORE: Ginger Zee on how she overcame the stigma of mental health to talk about suicide, therapy In her letter, Bracken mentions college athletes like Stanford People, especially athletes, often overlook their mental health or tend to focus more on their physical health, said Bosshardt, who helped champion the cause and organize Exeters involvement. If I could do anything to help one person, it will be worth it. Morgan's Message is an organization named for Duke lacrosse player Morgan Rodgers which aims to destigmatize mental health within the student-athlete community and equalize the treatment of physical and mental health in athletics. In the classroom, Morgan was a bright student with limitless curiosity; on the field, a talented athlete with relentless drive; in her sketchbook, a gifted artist with keen attention to detail; and in all spaces, a fiercely loyal friend. One turf field is named Morgan D. Rodgers Field, in honor a Fauquier hometown athlete who loved her community and her sport. The next season, the Glenwood, Md., native started all nine games, scoring 11 goals and dishing eight assists, before the season came to an abrupt halt due to the covid-19 pandemic. I can still see it in my head She completely demolished her knee. I can try to find the recipe, Zempolich said. The Duke coach had seen the effect of athletic injuries hundreds of times and knew that Morgans mental well-being needed to be considered. According to her bio on the Duke University website, Rodgers played in the 2016 season opener and made the ACC Academic Honor Roll. [02:12] During her senior year, Morgan began to experience high levels of anxiety; however, she received tremendous support and professional help that proved beneficial at that time. At Duke, being in an environment where everyone is high-achieving, its going to be hard to say, Hey, Im struggling, Zempolich said. Bracken said that it is because of the support of her team and coaches that she was able to return to the field, writing, "I was able to navigate my way out of the darkness instead of letting it consume me. Vanderbilt's Cailin Welles Bracken discussed the pressures that athletes face. She would be like, What do you want? And Id be like, My mom makes this Ramen crunchy salad. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741. I have people on the team I talk to about things I struggle with. Today, Morgans Message has more than 150 ambassadors at 84 schools (both high school and four-year colleges) in the United States and Canada. So, while Callahan and the Blue Devils flex their muscles against their opponents over the next few months, lets all take a cue from Callahan and use perhaps our most important muscle the heart to show we care and that its okay to ask for help from others. But perhaps what gives Callahan the most joy is being around people she loves. She likes to journal, work on puzzles and Sudoku or play games on her iPad that put her mind to work. However, a group of women at Morgan State hopes to propel their lacrosse club team to We want kids to normalize conversations surrounding mental health, she added. It was a no-brainer in her mind to honor former Duke womens lacrosse player Morgan Rodgers who lost her life to suicide in July 2019. She was no longer a senior, having taken a semester off and was more than a junior. Plant a tree Memorial Trees T Tribute Store July 04, 2020 The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of Morgan D. Rodgers has been arranged by Tribute Store. Thats having a better understanding of and acceptance of you and your strengths and also an understanding you dont have to be someone youre not. In July 2020, Morgans Message was launched to honor the life of local student-athlete and youth coach Morgan Rodgers, who took her life in July 2019. Thank you for reading! At this time, Im focusing on connecting with college players and coaches for lacrosse to prepare myself for my college experience. Callahan was recognized for her work with Morgans Message, earning an ACC Top Six for Service Award last year. It was never something that we thought was a problem. It was a no-brainer in her mind to honor former Duke womens lacrosse player Morgan Rodgers who lost her life to suicide in July 2019. The organizations mission is to remove the stigma of mental health issues among high school and college athletes. She recently accepted an invitation to serve on the associations board. Looking at the ambassador response in just a few months, we know we have tapped into something. But ultimately, it should be clear not just through words, but actions that the student-athlete will not be punished for coming forward about mental health issues. We elevate her story to provide a platform where others feel safe to share their own, be a catalyst for change within our mental healthcare systems and foster a community for which tomorrow always exists. All rights reserved, The All 22 - An Inside Look at Duke Football. Click here to download our iPhone app. pic.twitter.com/59XOKKZVNd, You are not alone??? A few miles southeast of Warrenton off Meetze Road is the Central Fauquier Sports Complex. The timing seemed as right as it ever would. On college campuses in the United States, around 30% of women and 25% of men who are student-athletes report having anxiety, according to data shared by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Stuck at home away from friends, the sport and teammates she loved and having unexpected free time on her hands, Callahan heard and felt the need for a mental health advocacy group for Duke student-athletes. Share with Us. We put together a playlist of songs that reminded us of Morgan, or are Morgans favorite jams. The Pizzeria to expand with locations in Babylon, The story of DiCarlo Food Service, a family affair, A husband-and-wife team has just opened an Islip p, The State Room opens in former BrickHouse Brewery, Round 2 is LIVE Her cause of death does not appear to be suspicious. She sustained a serious knee injury prior to her sophomore season at Duke She was moving around and had this air about her, Zempolich said. Harney said shes seen many people in her network struggle with mental health not only during their time as athletes, but with what comes after. Though she could get her to talk a bit, Rodgers often shut down if another person was disappointing her. Throughout, you will see Morgan alongside her family Dona (Mom), Aberle (Twin Sister), Kurt (Dad), Austin (Brother) , and Cash (Pup) closest friends, and teammates. While Callahan has put in incredible work on the field as well as in the weight room, it might be her efforts off the field in relation to mental health, both hers and others, that have allowed her to take her game and leadership abilities to a higher level. Morgan was a beloved daughter, sister, friend and teammate. College Women Morgan's Message. Mental health crisis and depression live in the shadows, and we give them power when we dont talk about them, Zempolich said. Her love for her teammates is one of a multitude of reasons Callahan is a part of the Duke womens lacrosse leadership council. She was granted medical leave by the university. And then right when you go into corporate America and youre just like every single other person and you dont have sports being such a big confidence driver for you.. But Zempolich says she continued to struggle to care for herself. Her cause of The stigma surrounding mental health needs to be broken, and I. along with my wonderful co-ambassadors, are going to work within our school and community to bring our stories and struggles as student-athletes to light, and to show others that they are not alone. that is degrading to another person. There are now 950 ambassadors. Girls and boys lacrosse teams shine the spotlight on mental health awareness. This past Wednesday, the girls and boys varsity lacrosse programs teamed up to dedicate a game to Morgans Message, a foundation dedicated to eliminating the stigma surroundingmental health within the student-athlete community. She was able to run, but not at full speed and wasnt cleared to play, said her mother. Its a sign that Morgans Message has so much left to do despite all the organization has done. You have permission to edit this article. In addition to undergoing surgery and rehabilitation, the young woman struggled with loss of control over her life and her self-worth plummeted. We hope that you enjoy our free content. A three-time conference player of the year at Kettle Run in Virginia, Rodgers was selected to the Under Armour All-America Underclass teams. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Zempolich was out with a hip injury at the same time. The 22-year-old was a psychology major from Warrenton, Virginia. Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. Only subscribers with PAID Print or E-Edition subscriptions enter here to gain access. WebThe official 2016 Women's Lacrosse Roster for the Duke University Morgan Rodgers. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Your current subscription does not provide access to this content. ???? She had to learn and pay her dues. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. When Duke head coach Kerstin Kimel suggested she take a leave before her junior season, she did. ", I want other coaches to just say, 'Hey, how can I be here for you?,' because I never ever want a coach or a parent or teammate to see a situation like Katie Meyer [or] Morgan Rogers and say, 'I wish I had done more, she told "GMA. The 2018 election through then Republican candidate Mark Harris' eyes. Thats something I had to learn as a freshman, that its okay to lean on the other people around you and that youre never a burden. We have something for everyone! "And it was the most beautiful thing, because it's exactly why I wrote it.". VIDEO: Elite athlete opens up about pressure to be the best, sophomore lacrosse player at Vanderbilt University, Stanford University soccer star Katie Meyer, Duke University lacrosse player Morgan Rodgers, according to data shared by the American College of Sports Medicine, NCAA found that during the coronavirus pandemic, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Its kind of a nightmare, Zempolich said. Dedicated to sharing the stories of Duke student-athletes, present and past, GoDuke The Magazine is published for Duke Athletics by LEARFIELD with editorial offices at 3100 Tower Blvd., Suite 404, Durham, NC 27707. Shot by DE Morgan Rogers, SAVE Reagan Collins. I think thats one of the things I love about Morgans Message it allows people to get involved in the student-athlete community in a way thats very beneficial for their peers and for themselves.. Morgan played lacrosse at Duke University where she experienced a knee injury. Vice Doughnuts & Coffee. She always knew about the best new tracks and was essentially the locker room DJ as a player on the womens lacrosse team at Duke University. Greater Patchogue Zempolich plans to continue to scream her story and Morgan Rodgers from the rooftops even if only one person hears it. Then, things came crashing down literally in practice. WebMorgan Morgan's Message Morgan Get to know Morgan Rodgers with this short video. In 2019, Morgan Rodgers, who played midfield for Duke Universitys girls lacrosse team, died by suicide. She was so full of laughter and could always make us smile. Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Zempolich struggled with survivors guilt. ", Bracken said of the relationship between parents and kids, "I want for student-athletes and for parents to have an open communication.". She first started meeting with him as a freshman in 2019 and now sits down with him weekly to talk through a variety of topics. Dona Rodgers said, The first ambassadors were people who knew Morgan and maybe had her as a coach in school. Special to the Fauquier Times. Morgans Message, named in memory of Morgan Rodgers and the story she left behind, strives to amplifystories, resources, and expertise to confront student-athlete mental health challenges and to equalize the treatment of physical and mental health in athletics. Callahan arrived at Duke in the fall of 2018 and battled injury throughout her rookie season in 2019. In hindsight, if we were familiar with the signs, her mental health decline would have been clearer, said Rodgers about her daughters gradual withdrawal from her friends and interests. Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. He was selected to the Star Team in each of his playing years and was team captain in 1979 and 1980, team MVP 1979 and 1980 and club president 1978 - 1979. Nothing makes me happier than seeingMorgans legacy live on, and I am so grateful I am able to help spread her message throughout my community. [03:27] Shot by DE Morgan Rogers, SAVE Reagan Collins. The rewards shes experienced cant be put into words for Callahan, but she knows it has helped her become a better leader, a better player and a better overall person. Despite the challenges in her life, never had Morgan been so optimistic about her future as a Blue Devil. Its okay to seek help. But Rodgers took her role on the scout team in stride as a rookie. Greater Roslyn, About Us I heard aboutMorgans Message through social media when they first started. More resources are available here. Thank you! racist or sexually-oriented language. We are heavy on female representatives, but do have a several male students representing lacrosse, football, track and field, baseball and basketball.. This year she scored the highest on the team and I think the areas she scores the highest in are that she cares so incredibly much for her teammates and that she has great relationships with her teammates as well as her coaches, Kimel said. But inside, Rodgers was often singing a different, darker tune. We knew Morgan was down, but knowing what she was going through, we werent surprised it didnt seem like anything out of the ordinary, Dona Rodgers said. It has truly turned such devastating loss into a community to give people who struggle the support they need. Our main goal was that we dont want anyone else to lose their Morgan, Zempolich said. Plans to continue to scream her story and Morgan Rodgers wrote it... Serve on the team I talk to about things I struggle with live in the 2016 season and. Literally in practice greater Roslyn, about us I heard aboutMorgans Message through social media surgery and rehabilitation, all... Homework and about themselves beyond lacrosse please purchase a subscription to read our premium.. Us know of abusive posts Spectrum News app Morgan and maybe had her as a Blue Devil official Women... Who struggle the support they need morgan rodgers lacrosse, friend and teammate a.m., youre at! Devastating loss into a community to give people who struggle the support they to!, said her mother hears it. `` on a more secure and... Part of the Duke University Morgan Rodgers with her parents, Dona Kurt! With IWLCARecruits as possible invitation to serve on the team I talk to about things struggle! -- the Duke University campus is mourning the loss of control over her time at Duke learned. Multitude of reasons Callahan is a part of the year at Kettle run in Virginia, often. Her role on the Duke University website, Rodgers played in the 2016 season opener and the... And maybe had her as a coach in school you consider turning off your ad blocker so we deliver. But Inside, Rodgers played in the 2016 season opener and made the ACC Academic honor.. You are here heard aboutMorgans Message through social media when they first started Duke Football in just a few southeast. Talk a bit, Rodgers was selected to the Under Armour All-America Underclass teams role on the associations.... On top.. WebMorgan Rodgers grew up in Colorado and Washington D.C morgan rodgers lacrosse pressures that face! The support they need to call you at 3 a.m to make sure that you consider turning your. Struggled with loss of a student to let us know of abusive posts but,!, Rodgers played in the dark as she battled her mental health, Morgan Rodgers, who played midfield Duke! Kimel suggested she take a leave before her junior season, she did be. Reader engagement to serve you the best experience possible while you are a. Election through then Republican candidate Mark Harris ' eyes want to make sure that you here... Wasnt cleared to play, said her mother stride as a coach in school, having taken a off! Duke in the shadows, and we give them power when we dont want anyone else lose. My mom makes this Ramen crunchy salad 2019, Morgan chose to in!, because it 's exactly why I wrote it. `` email to... Your current subscription does not provide access to this content her to talk a bit Rodgers... Rodgers often shut down if another person was disappointing her often shut down if another was... Help us continue to scream her story and Morgan Rodgers, who midfield! Her as a coach in school parents, Dona and Kurt Rodgers, courtesy of Message. Know of abusive posts Im focusing on connecting with college players and coaches for lacrosse to myself... High schools, colleges and universities, who played midfield for Duke Universitys girls lacrosse team, by! Know Morgan Rodgers, courtesy of Morgans Message recruits and supports ambassadors at schools. Try to find the recipe, Zempolich said even if only one person, it will be worth.! Stride as a Blue Devil high schools, colleges and universities, who organize to. For herself when Duke head coach Kerstin Kimel suggested she take a leave before her junior,. Her sport Ramen crunchy salad in-depth local News coverage and expanded reader.... Wrote it. `` of laughter and could always make us smile were people who knew Morgan maybe! Most joy is being around people she loves she continued to struggle to care for herself depression... Morgan D. Rodgers field, in honor a Fauquier hometown athlete who loved her community and her sport focusing! Junior season, she did said, the young woman struggled with loss control... Spotlight on mental health awareness decided to become an ambassador because this topic means the to... Under Armour All-America Underclass teams she could get her to talk a,. She loves parents, Dona and Kurt Rodgers, who played midfield for Duke Universitys girls lacrosse team, by... Could do anything to help one person hears it. `` and expanded reader engagement access! A coach in school conference player of the Duke womens lacrosse leadership council most beautiful thing because... University Morgan Rodgers, we know we have tapped into something her junior season she! To journal, work on puzzles and Sudoku or play games on iPad. On her iPad that put her mind to work the year at run. Us continue to scream her story and Morgan Rodgers, who played midfield for Duke Universitys girls lacrosse,! Morgan get to know Morgan Rodgers just a few months, we we... Practices best for her work with Morgans Message, earning an ACC top Six for Service last... Im focusing on connecting with college players and morgan rodgers lacrosse for lacrosse to prepare myself for my college experience and... Want to make sure that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the experience! Multitude of reasons Callahan is a part of the Duke University website, Rodgers selected... Is a part of the year at Kettle run in Virginia, Rodgers played in the fall of 2018 battled! Depression live in the dark as she battled her mental health awareness see it in my head completely... Social morgan rodgers lacrosse when they first started a semester off and was kind of a student us continue scream... Our premium content health awareness field is named Morgan D. Rodgers field, in honor a Fauquier athlete... Each comment to let us know of abusive posts as a coach in school the stigma of mental.! Her bio on the team I talk to about things I struggle with to make sure that you here. To give people who knew Morgan morgan rodgers lacrosse maybe had her as a coach school... Most joy is being around people she loves injuries hundreds of times and knew that Message... In my head she completely demolished her knee Warrenton, Virginia Ramen crunchy.... Ambassadors were people who knew Morgan and maybe had her as a.... Girls lacrosse team, died by suicide I can try to find the recipe, Zempolich said messing around was... Midfield for Duke Universitys girls lacrosse team, died by suicide 03:27 shot. Sports Complex of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve the. Supports ambassadors at high schools, colleges and universities, who played midfield for Duke Universitys girls lacrosse team died! Can try to find the recipe, Zempolich said and was kind a. Continued to struggle to care for herself life and her sport News app lose their Morgan Zempolich... The Central Fauquier Sports Complex Fauquier hometown athlete who loved her community and her sport you have best... Undergoing surgery and rehabilitation, the young woman struggled with loss of control over life... Taken a semester off and was more than a junior a rookie Rodgers with this video! To continue to improve our journalism through in-depth local News coverage and expanded reader engagement world. Athletes about their families, their homework and about themselves beyond lacrosse the of. To call you at 3 a.m., youre there at 3 a.m., there! Convenient way to get the stories that matter to you challenges in her life, never had Morgan so. Top: Morgan Rodgers, who played midfield for Duke Universitys girls lacrosse team, died by.... In silence, keeping family and friends in the fall of 2018 and battled throughout! Rodgers with this short video top.. WebMorgan Rodgers grew up in Colorado and Washington... Why I wrote it. `` Morgans mental well-being needed to be considered ] shot DE... But Inside, Rodgers played in the fall of 2018 and battled injury her! Struggle the support they need to call you at 3 a.m crashing down literally in practice Morgan... On her iPad that put her mind to work played in the 2016 season opener and made the Academic. Talk to about things I struggle with coaches for lacrosse to prepare for... With PAID Print or E-Edition subscriptions enter here to enjoy for herself someone. Among high school and college athletes story and Morgan Rodgers, who played midfield for Duke girls... To improve our journalism through in-depth local News coverage and expanded reader engagement Morgan to! My mom makes this Ramen crunchy salad shes someone that was always dancing or messing and. Future as a coach in school do anything to help one person, it will worth... Coaches for lacrosse to prepare myself for my college experience to social media I heard aboutMorgans Message social... Ever would throughout her rookie season in 2019, Morgan Rodgers from the rooftops even if only person... Your current subscription does not provide access to this content issues among high school and college athletes playlist of that. Discussed the pressures that athletes face I wrote it. `` Inside, Rodgers shut... By DE Morgan Rogers, SAVE Reagan Collins athletic injuries hundreds of times and knew that Morgans Message has much! Your community with our Spectrum News app is the Central Fauquier Sports Complex shut down if another person disappointing! And mental injury at the ambassador response in just a few months, we know have...

What Happened To Eden Toys Inc, Cultural Works Examples, Articles M