By: Lucy Cronin

   As school activities kick into gear, students are left to balance the challenges that come from classes and sports. To help student-athletes manage the pressure, the Morgan’s Message Club was created. 

    The club follows a guide from the Morgan’s Message organization that was founded in 2019 following the tragic suicide of Morgan Rodgers. The 22-year-old women’s lacrosse player attended Duke University and enjoyed her time as a Division 1 athlete until she suffered a catastrophic knee injury before her sophomore season. She struggled with her mental health as much as her physical health during this time, falling into a state of self-doubt and depression. She felt that she wasn’t able to live up to her true potential without being on the field. Rodgers battled these feelings alone, never reached out for help, and her struggle tragically ended when she took her own life. 

    Co-presidents Angelina Dorsey and Noelle Zahn lead this club at Marriotts Ridge with the intention of teaching student-athletes one thing: you are more than an athlete. Often, students face stress regarding their performance in sports, putting too much pressure on themselves or their teammates. This stress can build up, affecting the way athletes perform not only during games, but in all aspects of their lives. This stress can grow into anxiety, depression, or self-doubt that leaves a lasting impression on students’ mental health. The MRHS Morgan’s Message club hopes to help students eliminate and better manage those feelings, so all athletes can have a clear mind heading into their games and daily lives.   

    “Mental health is a big thing these days, especially in sports, and it’s important people learn how to talk about and manage their feelings,” junior president Noelle Zahn said. 

   The club organizes a variety of events for all students, from club meetings and games to events dedicated to Morgan and the ideas she represents. 

   Ms. Milani, dedicated club sponsor, speaks on her personal experience with Morgan’s Message in sports at Marriotts Ridge, which she’s seen firsthand as a Varsity field hockey and lacrosse coach. She says the club resonates with her because she enjoys watching connections being formed between students and seeing valuable conversations built around the stigma around mental health.

   “It’s been cool to watch athletes take interest in the club and really start to want to learn more about it. I think what I’ve been most impressed by as a coach is seeing that during dedication games, both teams get involved, and it’s really a two-way exchange. Whether it’s with a note swap or something else, it really helps create that community feeling,“ Milani says.

  A variety of teams participate in dedication games, with sports ranging from basketball to field hockey, having nights where team members wear matching t-shirts with a butterfly logo and teal accessories. The games are meant to inform those who can best relate to the message, the athletes. The butterfly and teal symbolize not only the story of Morgan Rodgers, but the stories of all athletes struggling with mental health. These games bring a moment of unity to each sport, with opposing teams coming together to show their support. 

   Last season, members of the girls lacrosse team traded bracelets with Reservoir High School players before the game, a friendly exchange helping to highlight that their opponents and teammates are more than just athletes. 

    “It was a nice moment before an intense game, getting to meet all of the girls from the other team was super fun,” junior Katie Leader said.

   Members of this club carry their message with them, finding ways to relax pre-game like meditation, playing their favorite song, or saying positive affirmations. 

   Overall, the Morgan’s Message Club hopes to continue spreading a message of openness and acceptance, and show all student athletes that they are so much more than their performance on the field.