Athletics

On Wednesday, September 24th, the Camden High School girls’ varsity tennis team took the court for a cause. Ahead of a home matchup against Oneida, the spotlight shifted from the impending match to a matter bigger than a tennis court, and bigger than sports itself. The match marked the first-ever “Morgan’s Message Night” for the girls’ tennis program, and the start of a second year for the Camden High School Morgan’s Message club.

Morgan’s Message is a national organization that works to de-stigmatize and elevate the importance of mental health in student-athletes, with the idea that it is every bit as important to be in good mental condition as it is good physical condition. The organization was founded in memory of Duke University women’s lacrosse student-athlete Morgan Rodgers, who died by suicide in July 2019 after years of mental health difficulties.

Stories like Morgan’s have become entirely too common. In sports and beyond, the perceived need to act as if nothing is wrong amidst internal and external pressures to win, to be perfect, or to make it to the next level can often serve as a barrier to entry to seeking needed care and treatment - even if it’s readily available.

Morgan’s Message seeks to eliminate barriers. They empower athletes and teams to change the conversation around mental health for the better, offer a platform for advocacy, and build a massive community around the cause - by and for athletes.

As part of building that community, participating schools have student-athlete ambassadors that provide peer leadership on the subject, spread awareness, and organize events to advance the cause.

Under the leadership of Camden High School social worker Michelle Mellon, the Camden High School Morgan’s Message club has quadrupled in size in its second year. Graduate Ryen Lago ‘25 started the club, and four ambassadors: Grady Salmon '28, Aubrey Mitchell '28, Lilly Ritenour '27, and Kamryn Gloude '28, have stepped in to carry on the mission for the 2025-26 school year.

Wednesday’s tennis match featured a moment of silence, specially printed t-shirts for the match, remarks from athletic director Josh Mazzaferro and the club’s ambassadors, and a resource table provided by the club that included support information and some small giveaways.

Tennis student-athlete Olivia Wing ‘27 also stepped up to the microphone to say a few words.

“We’re proud to stand in support of Morgan’s Message to help raise awareness, break the stigma, and remind every athlete that mental health is just as important as physical health,” Wing said. “As we take the court today, we play for more than a win. We play in honor of Morgan and for every athlete, teammate, and friend that needs to hear this message.”

If you’d like to support the cause, you won’t have to wait long. A second event is scheduled for Thursday, October 2nd with Camden’s resurgent varsity boys’ soccer program. They’ll take on Holland Patent at 4:30 PM. Two other Fall Sports teams are also working to put on an event before their seasons conclude.