How could I miss these signs? Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. Be Truthful. If you do not currently use any of these browsers, here are links to download Google Chrome and Firefox for free. Players will don Morgans Message tees. 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. Today, Morgans Message has more than 150 ambassadors at 84 schools (both high school and four-year colleges) in the United States and Canada. She didnt want to speak poorly of anyone, so she buried the pain. I first metMorganwhen I played lacrosse for her at Highland School in the spring of 2018. Only subscribers with PAID Print or E-Edition subscriptions enter here to gain access. It was like, Why am I OK, and she is not? Throughout, you will see Morgan alongside her family Dona (Mom), Aberle (Twin Sister), Kurt (Dad), Austin (Brother) , and Cash (Pup) closest friends, and teammates. 5816 Wellington RoadGainesville, VA 20155, Morgans Message is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, Ambassadors Spreading Awareness - Dedication Game Pictures, 2022 Inaugural Mo Madness Youth Lacrosse Tournament. On the field, Callahan is exuding a level of confidence and comfort to match her intensity. It has truly turned such devastating loss into a community to give people who struggle the support they need. Selfishly, I dont want anyone to feel how I felt when I was at my lowest of lows or how Morgan felt. Me and the team of ambassadors at Highland School have worked hard to educate our community and ensure that everyone gets the support they need, and we are so excited to keep moving forward in our efforts. I have people on the team I talk to about things I struggle with. If youre in crisis, there are options available to help you cope. Years later, Zempolichs voice still cracks when she discusses Rodgers death, but the first 365 days were some of the hardest of her life. The last year of Morgan Rodgers life has a lot of gaps in it for her family. No one knew she was suffering in silence. What should I do?. Top: Morgan Rodgers with her parents, Dona and Kurt Rodgers, courtesy of Morgans Message. After taking time off from competing, Bracken reentered the sport and now is sharing her story to help others. But inside, Rodgers was often singing a different, darker tune. Thats maturation. WebMorgan Rodgers (2015, lacrosse) has committed to Duke University. Greater Massapequa, Greater Smithtown About two months after leaving campus, Rodgers died by suicide. Sorry, no promotional deals were found matching that code. The timing is right to talk about student athlete mental health, said Dona Rodgers. Anna is rarely if ever someone who tries to play outside of herself, Kimel said. Our main goal was that we dont want anyone else to lose their Morgan, Zempolich said. In order to close the gap, we must eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health together. She played in 10 games and finished with one assist. Former Duke teammate Anne Slusser did, too. 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. We do not support Internet Explorer. "One of my favorite things to tell myself, if I'm not succeeding in the way I want to, I'll put my hands on my heart now to say, 'I love you and I'm listening,'" Cailin Bracken, a sophomore lacrosse player at Vanderbilt University, told "Good Morning America." Could I have done more? Zempolich said. // ]]>. Morgan was a beloved daughter, sister, friend and teammate. Greater Ronkonkoma Just prior to her sophomore season at Duke in 2017, Rodgers tore her ACL. Months later the pilot for a campus ambassador program of Morgans Message was born. I decided to become an ambassador because I wanted to give other athletes the kind of outlet I wish I had access to earlier. Not only was she a strong player and a great coach but she inspired me to want more of my lacrosse career. Then, things came crashing down literally in practice. It was then that her grades began to slip. ???? Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? However, a group of women at Morgan State hopes to propel their lacrosse club team to Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. The Duke coach had seen the effect of athletic injuries hundreds of times and knew that Morgans mental well-being needed to be considered. In March 2018, Morgan asked to take a semester off. Zempolich struggled with survivors guilt. Fast forward just over two years, Morgans Message has 2,290 ambassadors on 901 campuses across 42 states and in Canada and England according to the Morgans Message program website. Morgan Rodgers, a former varsity 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. Greater Long Beach Welcome! 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. Morganwas a force, and playing for her and Kristin Conques that season truly made me fall in love with lacrosse. A college athlete who took time away from her sport to focus on her mental health is speaking out to urge coaches, schools, parents and fellow players to pay attention to the mental health of student-athletes. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Your donation will help us continue to improve our journalism through in-depth local news coverage and expanded reader engagement. What started as a podcast called The Mental Matchup in 2020 has grown into a movement. We put together a playlist of songs that reminded us of Morgan, or are Morgans favorite jams. They may make it look easy. 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. We are looking for natural leaders who want to take this on, she said. Morgans Message is clear: as an athlete, there is no shame in seeking physical healthcare -- the same should be true for mental healthcare. We started up ourMorgans Message through social media and eventually we were named a full club and organization at KR! 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. 5816 Wellington RoadGainesville, VA 20155, Morgans Message is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, Ambassadors Spreading Awareness - Dedication Game Pictures, 2022 Inaugural Mo Madness Youth Lacrosse Tournament. As a result, Morgans self-worth plummeted. 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 2014, Morgan Rodgers was known for her abilities as both a lacrosse player and artist coming out of Kettle Run High School in Northern Virginia. 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. You have permission to edit this article. -- Abigail Beattie, Kettle Run High School. Use the 'Report' link on On Wednesday, October 12, at Sentara Park, two rival teams, James Madison University and Virginia, came together for something greater than just a lacrosse game we came together to break the mental health stigma by playing in honor of Morgan Rodgers and in support of Morgans Message . Greater Babylon 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. The future of Fauquier Times now depends on community support. Ann and I had gone through our own mental health struggles.. The Exeter and New Hampton girls lacrosse teams gather to honor Morgan Rodgers and raise awareness for Morgan's Message. 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 went down and screamed. The timing seemed as right as it ever would. Learn More. How do you foster an environment where your student-athletes feel comfortable coming to you saying, Im off. Promotional Rates were found for your code. In 2019, Morgan Rodgers, who played midfield for Duke Universitys girls lacrosse team, died by suicide. Planted in Kirtland Habitat Restoration MI. I feel like a lot of times people speak to these athletes about the Xs and Os and whatnot, Taylor said. Although her life was cut way too short, Morgans legacy of unconditional love remains. Youre almost in a pressure cooker where you are going to blow if you dont get the support for what you are feeling.. All rights reserved, The All 22 - An Inside Look at Duke Football. Digital and Print Subscription memberships available. If you are not a Current Paid subscriber do not go through this portal. It was never something that we thought was a problem. But also she was incredibly athletic and talented and gifted. Zempolich plans to continue to scream her story and Morgan Rodgers from the rooftops even if only one person hears it. Morgan remained optimistic during the early months of her injury and recovery. Greater Patchogue I want people to know that seeking help does not make you weak, but makes you so strong. She was so full of laughter and could always make us smile. 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.. Vanderbilt's Cailin Welles Bracken discussed the pressures that athletes face. Greater Lindenhurst Shot by DE Morgan Rogers, SAVE Reagan Collins. Greater Roslyn, About Us But Zempolich says she continued to struggle to care for herself. Finally, as the one-year anniversary of Rodgers death crept up, she decided she wanted to visit the gravesite. Zempolich coached with Rodgers that summer, and she seemed better than before. 2023 Duke Athletics. Girls and boys lacrosse teams shine the spotlight on mental health awareness. It is this depth of character that provided encouragement and inspiration to so many, but it was her contagious laugh and infectious energy that embody Morgans irreplaceability. Casual sports fans may constantly see players tear ACLs and return a season later. If music was playing, she was dancing -- and bringing everyone to the dance floor with her. You can reach Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860 (U.S.) or 877-330-6366 (Canada) and The Trevor Project at 866-488-7386. She had also experienced mental health issues and became a safe space for Rodgers to open up just a little. In fact, the more people talk about mental health, the better. 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. Jean-Paul Christophe '00 helps Exeter honor its veterans. ", She added that she has been heartened by the response she's received to opening up about her own mental health battle, saying, "I'm so grateful people are listening. I wondered if shed ask what happened and what went wrong., We were sitting around, and we were like, Something needs to be done. I was so sad that Morgan passed. Morganwas one of my travel lacrosse team coaches when I was in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade at Cardinal Lacrosse. We are not therapeutic in nature and not intending to replace the work of professionals. Her energy empowers those she has left behind to transform devastation into action. Youre expected to be at the top of your game in the classroom and extra-curriculars and, as athletes, be on top of your varsity sport. Morgan Rodgers, a 22-year-old former Duke student and womens lacrosse player, died on Thursday, July 11, 2019, the school announced on Friday. North Is playing for Morgans Message, founded by the family of Morgan Rodgers, a former Duke lacrosse player who died by suicide in 2019. In her honor, her family started Morgans Message, a I was like, Hell yeah, Morgan is back.. 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. Following her injury, Morgan saw an off-campus counselor and had a local therapist to see when she was home. Greater Huntington WebConcluded her prep career with a total of 303 goals, 63 assists, 228 ground balls, 460 draw controls and 115 caused turnovers in 56 games Served as captain of the U15 national I heard about the organization through one of my co-ambassadors Abigail Beattie. WebMorgans Message strives to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health within the student-athlete community and equalize the treatment of physical and mental health in Dona Rodgers said, Morgans birthday is in May and as that date approached following her death, we began to resurface a little to figure out how we were going to celebrate [our daughter] Aberles first birthday without her twin sister. Morgans teammates started coming around to talk about what happened and how they all could have missed her symptoms. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism Callahan arrived at Duke in the fall of 2018 and battled injury throughout her rookie season in 2019. ?Our game tomorrow is dedicated to Morgan Rodgers and @MorgansMessage. In it, she describes how college sports can take a toll on student athletes, and how they are met with many expectations from coaches and administrators. In addition to undergoing surgery and rehabilitation, the young woman struggled with loss of control over her life and her self-worth plummeted. I knew that I wanted to be a part ofMorgans Message because I think mental health is often overlooked, and people often feel embarrassed or ashamed to ask for help, and I want to help change that. According to her bio on the Duke University website, Rodgers played in the 2016 season opener and made the ACC Academic Honor Roll. She asks her athletes about their families, their homework and about themselves beyond lacrosse. She didnt want anyone to worry about her and she put a lot of pressure on herself to be perfect, her mother said. We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. After visiting the grave, Dona Rodgers invited her back to the house. "And it was the most beautiful thing, because it's exactly why I wrote it.". Copyright USA Lacrosse Magazine Support Us She ranked second on the team in points with six goals and five assists through her first three starting assignments. accounts, the history behind an article. It was almost an out-of-body experience where her body didnt know what was going on, and I dont think her mind could comprehend it.. I want there to be grace on all ends. Ultimately, they put her on the junior team to play. Winds light and variable. TIGERVILLE, S.C. --In a matchup that saw the Davis & Elkins Women's Lacrosse team down early, the Senators began chipping away at North Greenville's 6-0 halftime lead before eventually falling 11-6 at Pepsi Stadium.North Greenville scored one goal in the first period and five goals in the second to put D&E at a disadvantage early. [CDATA[ The 22-year-old was a psychology major from Warrenton, Virginia. 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. Her recovery wasnt smooth sailing. La Canada Unified is seeking a walk-on coach experienced in coaching lacrosse for the high school girls varsity team. To subscribe, join the Iron Dukes or call 336-831-0767. The ambassadors hold monthly meetings at their schools and report back to Dona Rodgers. Unable to give up the sport she loved and shined at for so long, she started playing club. Its okay to lean on people around you. We hope that it will provide a safe space for processing difficult topics and emotions, and make people feel less alone. ", 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. 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. 2020-05-14 10:12 PDT (Spring 2020) by SCHS Boys Lacrosse Tritons forever! Get hyperlocal forecasts, radar and weather alerts. 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. 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. I think I lot of times we tie in our identity to just who we are as an athlete and the whole message is that youre more than just an athlete.. 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 the long process of physical therapy. She was used to being a star. Morgan was so proud. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Morgan Rodgers, a 22-year-old former Duke student and womens lacrosse player, died on Thursday, July 11, 2019, the school announced on Friday. 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 The two were teammates during her first two college years at Duke. Over her time at Duke shes learned the practices best for her wellness physical, emotional and mental. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, Whether that be teammates, coaches or Dr. (Shawn) Zeplin. Changs spot at Smith Haven Mall, The Pizzeria to expand with locations in Babylon, Lindenhurst villages, The State Room turns former BrickHouse upstairs catering space into cocktail bar, The Instagram-friendly Stone Street Wood Fired Grill opens in Garden City, Inside look at The Farm Italy, Huntingtons new Italian restaurant, First meaningful snowfall of the winter , From truck to storefront. WebTurnover by CONVERSE Kelsie Glass (caused by Morgan Rogers). Sure enough, Id show up, and shed be like, I think I have it. While Callahan is keenly aware of the need to take care of herself mentally and physically, she also constantly advocates for student-athletes and coaches to recognize the value of being vulnerable and the importance of being open about mental health. A high school lacrosse standout, Rodgers was recruited to play at Duke University. But its not physically or mentally. 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. With the concept in hand, Callahan took the next step of naming the organization. DURHAM, N.C. -- The Duke University campus is mourning the loss of a student. While she presented a strong, happy and resilient face to her community, she grappled with feeling that she was not living up to her expectations. If I can honor Morgan, its a cherry on top.. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. Shes someone that was always dancing or messing around and was kind of a forever young spirit. 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. If they need to call you at 3 a.m., youre there at 3 a.m.. 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. Former Duke Women's Lacrosse Player Dies. 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. Coach //