Morgan’s Message group welcomes college athletes
A dozen athletes, all recent Cape graduates, were invited by the ambassadors and faculty advisors of the Morgan’s Message group to take part in a 45-minute question-and-answer program Dec. 20, the last school day before winter vacation.
Student-athletes gathered in the theater, happy to be out of class, and they were not hesitant to ask questions, with most pertaining to the stresses and struggles – counterbalanced by the joyous fulfillment – of being on a college sports team. Morgan’s Message is to bring the challenges of balancing academics and athletics as it reflects back on the mental health and coping mechanisms of the athletes.
The 12 athletes were represented by five baseball players: Brian Fleming (Randolph Macon), Josh Reinhold (Christopher Newport), Isaac Terhune (Pitt), Timothy Hitchcock (Alvernia) and Austin Rhue (La Salle); and three field hockey athletes: Mackenzie Brown (William & Mary), Grace Wiggins (Richmond) and Devon DeGregory (Salisbury); along with Maurki James, football (Old Dominion), Montana Jones, lacrosse (West Chester), Joey DeGregory, cross country (Salisbury) and Bailey Fletcher, track & field (Ohio State) completing the lineup.
The athletes on the dais were all well-spoken and confident, employing no-look passes of the two live microphones, staying succinct and on message.
Topics discussed were the recruiting process, balancing schoolwork with sports, being well-rounded and not obsessing on the sport, developing other interests, working hard but not to the point of negative returns, and using all the psychological support services available.
Cape’s Morgan’s Message student group is among the most active in the state. There are about 30 ambassadors who break into small groups at monthly meetings. Faculty advisors are Kate Austin, Katie Collick, Candy Brown, Jan Fleming, Ben Evick, Drew Messick, Dawn Clark, Julie Boyd, Heidi Furman, Pam Elliot and Jeff Jablon.
“We have a presenter planned every month of the second semester,” said Kate Austin.
