LCMR junior uses basketball doubleheader to spread Morgan’s Message

Posted: January 15th 2024

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

ERMA – Olivia Lewis had every set of eyes in the Lower Cape May Regional High School gymnasium focused on her Sunday afternoon, a few minutes before she and her teammates would take on county rival Wildwood in a girls basketball game.

“I was freaking out,” Lewis said with a laugh.

Lewis stood at halfcourt and spoke about Morgan’s Message, a national organization that advocates for awareness about and treatment for mental health issues in student athletes. The organization was founded in honor of Morgan Rodgers, a Duke University lacrosse player who struggled with mental health issues before committing suicide in July 2019.

Lewis spearheaded Lower Cape May’s efforts to dedicate the boys and girls basketball games between Wildwood and Lower to Morgan’s Message. T-shirts that read “Human Athlete” on the front and had information about Morgan’s Message on the back were distributed to players, coaches and cheerleaders prior to the games.

While Lewis spoke, boys and girls players from both teams, the Lower Cape May cheerleaders and other students from the school district stood around her, forming a semi circle across almost the entire length of the gymnasium floor.

Lewis said she became involved with Morgan’s Message after her father, Steve, was in a wakeboarding accident in July 2022. Her father broke his neck and suffered spinal cord damage as a result.

“Morgan’s Message has become a big part of my life,” Lewis said. “When he had his accident, it was an intense spinal cord injury. He was never supposed to walk again.”

Her father, however, has improved with time. Multiple surgeries and grueling rehabilitation sessions have given him the ability to walk again. Lewis said her father’s mobility has improved with each passing week.

“He’s a miracle,” Lewis said with a smile.

Lewis, a junior, is a three-sport athlete at Lower Cape May. Her father’s accident occurred just before the start of her sophomore field hockey season.

“With everything my dad was dealing with, field hockey became an outlet for me,” Lewis said. “That’s what I wanted out of sports. Sports shouldn’t be an extreme stresser. It actually should be an outlet to take your stress out and be an outlet for what’s going on in your life. Just go out and play. Right around then was when I joined Morgan’s Message.”

Lower Cape May girls basketball coach Scott Douglass said Lewis was tireless in her efforts to create and execute Sunday’s event.

“I thought what she did today and everything she and her family did leading up to today to get ready for it was just awesome,” Douglass said. “She is a really special young lady. You can tell she’s a good speaker. She works hard on this. She has really committed herself to Morgan’s Message and she really believes in it. It’s one of her things.”

Other than the girls basketball team losing the contest (Lower’s boys won the opener in overtime), the day could not have gone better for Lewis.

“It was just awesome, honestly,” she said. “The turnout, with everyone here, we normally don’t get a crowd like that. To have so many people come out like that, today was just incredible.

“I really enjoy being able to spread what Morgan’s Message is about, just to encourage people to talk about mental health. As you can see in Morgan’s case, it can get intense. It can be awful.”

In addition to basketball and field hockey, Lewis also plays lacrosse at Lower Cape May. Her talents in her spring sport have led her to verbally committing to accept scholarship money to play college lacrosse at Division II Kutztown University after she graduates high school next year.

“Lacrosse has been a really big part of my life,” Lewis said. “I’ve been playing since the third grade. I actually quit dance to play. I’m so blessed to have the opportunity and so thankful to be able to continue my career because lacrosse has taught me so much in the sport and out of the sport. It’s just an incredible opportunity.”

Lewis, who resides in Lower Township with her mother, Heather, and younger brothers, Cole and Ty, in addition to her father, said she is glad she is a three-sport athlete at Lower Cape May.

“It seems like I never stop, but 100 percent I wouldn’t want it any other way,” she said. “Growing up, my brothers and I were always doing something with sports. My brothers are both on three basketball teams right now. I find it easier to keep myself moving and keep myself motivated. If I wasn’t doing all this, I don’t think I’d have as much motivation.”

Lewis said her father’s fight to return from his horrific injury has also given her motivation.

“He’s doing amazing,” she said. “He’s 1,000 times better than we thought he would be. He’s shown incredible progress. We’re just so hopeful for him.”