This year River Dell introduced a new club called Morgan’s Message. The club is dedicated to Morgan Rodgers, a student-athlete whose life was cut tragically short.
Rodgers attended Duke University and played D1 Women’s Lacrosse. She developed a severe knee injury before her sophomore season that prevented her from being able to play. Despite having received mental health services, the mounting pressures of injury, isolation, relationship issues, and expectations caused an increase in Rodgers’ anxiety and depression and, as a result, she committed suicide.
Out of her loss, her family founded Morgan’s Message.
Morgan’s Message is a nonprofit organization with the mission of eliminating the stigma around mental health in the student-athlete community and works to ensure that mental health is treated with the same seriousness as athletes’ physical health.
“We aim to expand the dialogue on mental health by normalizing conversations, empowering those who suffer in silence, and supporting those who feel alone,” said Maddie White, Morgan’s Message Administrative Assistant.
Ramapo-bound RD Lax player, Kayleigh Windram, reached out to Morgan’s Message and decided to begin a chapter here at River Dell, acting as both founder and president.
“Our goal is to allow athletes to feel supported and open the conversation for their struggles. Morgan’s Message allows us to spread awareness throughout games and the student-athletes themselves,” said Windram.
At River Dell, mental health awareness has become an important part of our athletic community, thanks to its partnership with Morgan’s Message. To support this mission, our new club is working with Morgan’s Message to organize fundraisers that not only raise money but also raise awareness.
One of the upcoming events that the Morgan’s Message club will be hosting are bake sales. The proceeds from these sales will go directly toward funding dedication games which are special athletic events that honor Morgan’s legacy and highlight the importance of mental health in sports.
Mr. Tota, RD’s Athletic Director, explains how this club is beneficial to River Dell. “It is helpful to River Dell just by the awareness of it. Like understanding how it’s okay to not be okay. And we have a ton of services here that people can look to, and we’re here to help our student athletes in anyway possible.”
During these dedication games, Morgan’s Message provides teams with materials such as ribbons, wristbands, and stickers. Teams can also receive warm-up shirts featuring the Morgan’s Message logo and message.
“By working with Morgan’s Message through fundraising we’re continuing Morgan’s mission,” said Windram.
