Your donation will help us continue to improve our journalism through in-depth local news coverage and expanded reader engagement. We were told she would be cleared to play in about a year and we all felt that that was a realistic goal, said her mother. Zeplin has been arguably her most consistent outlet on campus. Callahan, who scored high in each of the past three years, led the way for all Blue Devils this year. She was 22. An elite college lacrosse player, Morgan Rodgers, died by suicide in 2019. 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. Prior to Duke: Three-time conference player of the year at Kettle Run [Va.] Selected to the 2013 and 2014 Under Armour All-America Underclass teams Two-time Brine High School All-American for the Washington, D.C., region Recorded 97 goals, 14 assists, 56 ground balls, 164 draw controls and 35 caused turnovers her senior year to earn first team all-state accolades Also guided her team to the district title in her final season Named the regional player of the year and Fauquier Times-Democrats Lacrosse Athlete of the Year as a sophomore after logging 76 goals and 15 assists Four-time first team all-conference selection and three-time first team all-region pick Concluded 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 tournament team for the Cardinal Girls Lacrosse Club First team US Lacrosse Academic All-American as a senior Also lettered four years in field hockey and one year in basketball Two-time conference player of the year on the field hockey turf Also earned first team all-district recognition all four years Member of the National Honor Society. We connected and then learned that she played at Kettle Run, where I would be attending. 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. Her dream came true in the fall of 2014 when she accepted an offer to play for the Duke University Womens Lacrosse Team. It was then that her grades began to slip. 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. This council is formed from a pair of leadership surveys, which quantify qualities of a leader, taken by each player. Among athletes with known mental health conditions, only 10% seek care from a mental health professional, according to the ACSM. The timing is right to talk about student athlete mental health, said Dona Rodgers. A few miles southeast of Warrenton off Meetze Road is the Central Fauquier Sports Complex. Greater Patchogue 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. The two had monthly dinners, and Rodgers went all out. Dona Rodgers became involved with the Mental Health Association of Fauquier County and took the youth mental health first-aid course, something shed like everyone to consider. We put together a playlist of songs that reminded us of Morgan, or are Morgans favorite jams. Finally, as the one-year anniversary of Rodgers death crept up, she decided she wanted to visit the gravesite. I knew that mental health issues would be on the rise everywhere, especially with student athletes.. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Thats maturation. ", "I had a father reach out to me and telling me that after reading the essay, he drove two-and-a-half hours to his daughter's lacrosse practice and waited outside to give her a hug," said Bracken. [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. In her honor, her family started Morgans Message, a nonprofit championing mental health for college and high school athletes. We are looking for natural leaders who want to take this on, she said. Rogers, a big name in the local lax scene, helped lead the Polar Bears to a state title last Spring and that puts two state championships on her resume. 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. I heard about the organization through one of my co-ambassadors Abigail Beattie. If you are not a Current Paid subscriber do not go through this portal. Zempolich plans to continue to scream her story and Morgan Rodgers from the rooftops even if only one person hears it. 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 hope to get representatives from every sport. Despite the challenges in her life, never had Morgan been so optimistic about her future as a Blue Devil. 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. Be Truthful. Morgan Rodgers, a 22-year-old former Duke student and womens lacrosse player, died on Thursday, July 11, 2019, the school announced on Friday. Morgans Message carries on students lasting legacy, By Aime OGrady Morgans Message is clear: as an athlete, there is no shame in seeking physical healthcare -- the same should be true for mental healthcare. The 11 points were three more than she had in 19 games as a junior and matched the total she had in the first six games of 2022. She knows what shes good at and she sticks to that. Top: Morgan Rodgers with her parents, Dona and Kurt Rodgers, courtesy of Morgans Message. Her energy empowers those she has left behind to transform devastation into action. 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 She called Dona Rodgers, Morgans mother, who decided to join her. I have a lot of great people supporting me and Im very very fortunate to be at a place like Duke where mental health is a priority. Exeters Keighley Bosshardt 24, Kathryn Welch 22, Emilie Dubiel 23, Baron Fisher 22, Drew McClutchy 23, Logan Olazabal 23, Baron Masopust 24 represented the girls and boys teams and worked as ambassadors to organize the event, raise awareness, and gather donations for Morgans Message. "And it was the most beautiful thing, because it's exactly why I wrote it.". She had to learn and pay her dues. The Duke coach had seen the effect of athletic injuries hundreds of times and knew that Morgans mental well-being needed to be considered. 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 . 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. As someone who's been playing competitive sports their whole life, I've most definitely had my struggles with mental health, both on and off the field. Download it here. Personal: Born Morgan Dup Rodgers May 27, 1997 in Fairfax, Va. Daughter of Dona and Kurt Rodgers Has one sister (Aberle) and one brother (Austin) Mother competed in gymnastics at James Madison (1984-85) Brother is a member of the club lacrosse team at East Carolina. Thank you! Morgan was a beloved daughter, sister, friend and teammate. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Whether that be teammates, coaches or Dr. (Shawn) Zeplin. //