Digital and Print Subscription memberships available. Looking at the ambassador response in just a few months, we know we have tapped into something. Updated: Feb 23, 2022 / 10:26 PM EST. North Is playing for Morgans Message, founded by the family of Morgan Rodgers, a former Duke lacrosse player who died by suicide in 2019. Clear attempt by CONVERSE failed. "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." The two were teammates during her first two college years at Duke. 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. M 5'4" Fr. I think being vulnerable and being open is also something that helps me play a little bit looser and play a little more free, said Callahan. Morgan was one of my travel team coaches for Cardinals girls lacrosse. Morgan Rodgers, a 22-year-old former Duke student and womens lacrosse player, died on Thursday, July 11, 2019, the school announced on Friday. I think the worst part for me was the reality check of life after sports because that was such a big part of my life, she said. Greater Farmingdale 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. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. Download it here. Greater Oyster Bay I was like, Hell yeah, Morgan is back.. Your current subscription does not provide access to this content. Girls and boys lacrosse teams shine the spotlight on mental health awareness. Rodgers 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. 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. Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. She sustained a serious knee injury prior to her sophomore season at Duke Callahans involvement in Morgans Message has influenced her in so many ways and in turn has equipped her with tools to help others. Dona Rodgers and her husband Kurt thought they had the bases covered. She was so excited, and we all sighed a breath of relief, thinking she was going to overcome this, recalled her mom. We aim to expand the dialogue on mental health by normalizing conversations, empowering those who suffer in silence, and supporting those who feel alone. Its amazing (to see how this program has grown), Callahan said. We have something for everyone! About two months after leaving campus, Rodgers died by suicide. When we have groups of people say, I had really anxiety in high school, or, I deal with depression when we normalize the conversations and see others are struggling, thats when the power gets taken away.. In order to close the gap, we must eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health together. She sustained a serious knee injury prior to her sophomore season at Duke and struggled with anxiety and depression as she fought to regain her physical health. We are committed to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and creating a more open dialogue. I hope that we can honor Morgan's life by building an even more caring and comfortable environment for student-athletes at Exeter.. If music was playing, she was dancing -- and bringing everyone to the dance floor with her. The competition season is active during Please return to the subscription page to purchase one of our offers. Finally, as the one-year anniversary of Rodgers death crept up, she decided she wanted to visit the gravesite. For the best experience, we recommend. Her cause of death does not appear to be suspicious. ", Bracken said of the relationship between parents and kids, "I want for student-athletes and for parents to have an open communication.". 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. We hope that it will provide a safe space for processing difficult topics and emotions, and make people feel less alone. 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. Click here to download our iPhone app. She also thinks coaches and support staff need more training on mental health. accounts, the history behind an article. It was like, Why am I OK, and she is not? Recovery is possible-- lets take a shot. As a result, Morgans self-worth plummeted. 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. Winds light and variable. The last year of Morgan Rodgers life has a lot of gaps in it for her family. Great Eats In March 2018, Morgan asked to take a semester off. I think by bringing awareness and providing resources to our community, Exeter students can start having open conversations about mental health and not be scared to reach out if they need it.. We heard a pop. Morgan knew she wanted to play at the highest level the sport could offer while earning a world-class education. On the field, Callahan is exuding a level of confidence and comfort to match her intensity. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. She had to learn and pay her dues. pic.twitter.com/59XOKKZVNd, You are not alone??? She was moving around and had this air about her, Zempolich said. She was light-hearted, very into music and dancing, and, overall, a ray of sunshine, said Kat Zempolich, who grew up 20 minutes from Rodgers but didnt meet her until they played together at Duke. She was very funny, she was an absolute goofball, Harney said of her friend. 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. In her fifth season with the program, Callahan is off to the best start of her career for the 11th-ranked Blue Devils. 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. Morgan remained optimistic during the early months of her injury and recovery. 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. The Exeter and New Hampton girls lacrosse teams gather to honor Morgan Rodgers and raise awareness for Morgan's Message. My team had lost Morgan, who was a friend and a teammate to us and that was really really difficult, so I always thought naming it after Morgan would be something I would really really appreciate and wanted to do just because Morgan spent a lot of time at Duke and was very close to people on the team and at Duke itself, Callahan said. "Students, whether you are with family and friends at home, traveling or working elsewhere, or here in Durham this summer, we encourage you to reach out to any University resources and support that may be helpful," Mary Pat McMahon, vice president for Campus Life, said in a statement. If I could do anything to help one person, it will be worth it. In the fall of 2018, she reapplied to the school with her doctors permission and appeared to be her old self.. I think I am his longest standing patient at Duke, Callahan said about how she and Zeplin have grown at Duke together. Throughout, you will see Morgan alongside her family Dona (Mom), Aberle (Twin Sister), Kurt (Dad), Austin (Brother) , and Cash (Pup) closest friends, and teammates. I have people on the team I talk to about things I struggle with. Promotional Rates were found for your code. When her students graduate, whether they keep up with the sport or not, the coach want them to know she still values them and that shes just a call away. Advertise [CDATA[ I think through the work that shes done with Shawn Zeplin and Morgans Message shes really matured into a fulltime leader for our program and for the athletic department as a whole.. Her dream came true in the fall of 2014 when she accepted an Morgan Rodgers - Warrenton, Virginia , Moser Funeral Home - Memories wall Sign In BROUGHT TO YOU BY Moser Funeral Home Morgan D. Rodgers Warrenton, Virginia May 27, 1997 - July 11, 2019 Tribute Wall Obituary & Events Share a memory Send Flowers Share a memory of Morgan D. Rodgers. We'd love to hear eyewitness Morgan Slideshow Watch on The organization is named after Morgan Rodgers, who played lacrosse at Duke University but suffered from high levels of anxiety. But Zempolich thinks its less about athletics and more about peoples expectations of themselves. The 22-year-old was a psychology major from Warrenton, Virginia. Morgan D. Rodgers May 27, 1997 - July 11, 2019 1 Tree has been planted in memory of Morgan Rodgers. She went down and screamed. 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. We want to make sure that you are on a more secure browser and that you have the best experience with IWLCARecruits as possible. Thats a charity named for Morgan Rodgers, a womens lacrosse player at Duke University who died by suicide in 2019 at the age of 22. Shes had a really nice steady incline into a really large role on our team. She was no longer a senior, having taken a semester off and was more than a junior. More resources are available here. And Zempolich says its earth-shattering for a Division I athlete whose identity is so closely linked to being good at sports and have never gone through a career-altering injury before. He graduated from Bonn American High School in Bonn, Germany and then attended UCLA where he first played Lacrosse. Not only was she a strong player and a great coach but she inspired me to want more of my lacrosse career. 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 Turnover by CONVERSE Kelsie Glass (caused by Morgan Rogers). Its okay to seek help. 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. Greater Fire Island I want there to be grace on all ends. A high school lacrosse standout, Rodgers was recruited to play at Duke University. 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. Vice Doughnuts & Coffee. 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. I knew that mental health issues would be on the rise everywhere, especially with student athletes.. Both Cornell and Jacksonville raised money and awareness for Morgan's Message at the game. Years later, Zempolichs voice still cracks when she discusses Rodgers death, but the first 365 days were some of the hardest of her life. If you are not a Current Paid subscriber do not go through this portal. Morgan Rodgers, a 22-year-old former Duke student and womens lacrosse player, died on Thursday, July 11, 2019, the school announced on Friday. Following her injury, Morgan saw an off-campus counselor and had a local therapist to see when she was home. My parents would always mention how you would haveMorgans full attention when she was coaching us. The 74-acre facility used to be owned by Morgans paternal family and has five natural grass multipurpose fields. Bracken said that as a freshman at Vanderbilt, she struggled with depression after a mid-season concussion, which led her to stepping away from playing on the schools lacrosse team. Thu May 19 2022 | Beth Ann Mayer | College 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.. She was used to being a star. But also she was incredibly athletic and talented and gifted. Greater Lindenhurst 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. Im very proud to be a part ofMorgans Message, and to share it at Liberty [High School] and in college next year. Greater Babylon The 2022 Inaugural Mo Madness Youth Lacrosse Tournament is now complete and we extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who turned out for a day of fun competition as well as raising awareness about student-athlete mental health. 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. Zempolich went to therapy, sometimes multiple times per week, to work through her pain. Partly cloudy skies early then becoming cloudy with periods of rain late. Greater Sayville I was investing so much of my worth in lacrosse.. Greater Moriches A podcast where we share stories about the mental health journeys of fellow athletes. Morgan was so proud. She had gone to therapy for anxiety in high school. Conversations regarding mental health in the athletic community have grown louder in recent years. Callahan was recognized for her work with Morgans Message, earning an ACC Top Six for Service Award last year. Playing a sport in college, honestly, feels like playing fruit ninja with a butter knife, Bracken wrote. Vanderbilt's Cailin Welles Bracken discussed the pressures that athletes face. 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 I decided to become an ambassador because this topic means the world to me. In 2019, Morgan Rodgers, who played midfield for Duke Universitys girls lacrosse team, died by suicide. Morgan was a beloved daughter, sister, friend and teammate. Keeping you connected to the Community. Covering all the great things happening on Long Island and its vibrant downtowns. Shortly after, Morgans Message was born at a barbeque with some of Rodgers former Cardinal Club Lacrosse teammates. 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. Though she could get her to talk a bit, Rodgers often shut down if another person was disappointing her. person will not be tolerated. In addition to undergoing surgery and rehabilitation, the young woman struggled with loss of control over her life and her self-worth plummeted. She committed suicide at 22. Professional athletes like Michael Phelps, Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka have been public in recent years about the pressure, stress and burnout they've faced at the top of their sports, and those are struggles college athletes may feel too. The two had parallel narratives woven throughout their lives and collegiate careers injured at the same time, mental health issues. The growth is due, in large part, because of the demand for resources. La Canada Unified is seeking a walk-on coach experienced in coaching lacrosse for the high school girls varsity team. After visiting the grave, Dona Rodgers invited her back to the house. Jean-Paul Christophe '00 helps Exeter honor its veterans. "The Duke community extends our deepest sympathies to the Rodgers family at this time," McMahon said. Already know which subscription you'd like? College Women Morgan's Message. Morgan was very vocal about the complications of her injury; why wasnt she as open about her mental health recovery? her mother Dona Rodgers wondered, a year and a half after her death. Greater Huntington It was a setback that seemed to have a silver lining. 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. 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.. I also think it has allowed me to become more empathetic and more understanding of peoples lives and I think thats really important.. Keep it Clean. ?Our game tomorrow is dedicated to Morgan Rodgers and @MorgansMessage. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Shes someone that was always dancing or messing around and was kind of a forever young spirit. Be Nice. I am aMorgans Message ambassador at Highland School, and I amMorgans cousin. ", 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. With a year under her belt, she had her eye on a larger role as a sophomore. Spectrum News Text and Email Alerts Sign-up, California Consumer Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information, California Consumer Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. She was finally having fun she was crushing it, Zempolich said. According to the ACSM, student-athletes face pressures from academics and competing, as well as other stressors like being away home home, traveling for games, feeling isolated from campus and other students due to their focus on sport and adapting to being in the public spotlight. 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