University of Minnesota Athletics
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Photo by: Brad Rempel
Pro-Pher Spotlight: Morgan DeBord
9/16/2024 1:59:00 PM | Softball
DeBord graduated back in May, but her softball career didn't end with the Gophers
Morgan DeBord stepped on Minnesota's campus during the summer of 2023 and knew she was right where she needed to be. Prior to her time with the Gophers, DeBord was a decorated student-athlete at Loyola Marymount. Upon using her final year at Minnesota, she continued her legacy of being a top tier student-athlete. Now that she's hung up her college uniform, she's found a passion to continue her love for the game in the pros.
Gopher Sports: What years were you at Minnesota and what league do you currently play in?
Morgan DeBord: "I competed at Minnesota during the 2024 season and now play professionally in the Athlete's Unlimited league."
GS: Now that you're competing at Athlete's Unlimited, can you tell me about that league?
MD: "The way Athlete's Unlimited is run is very different than other professional softball leagues. We play a non-traditional style fo softball where we get redrafted each week of the season to play with other players. So there's no postseason! Next year, we will have one with the new AUSL (Athlete's Unlimited Softball League) when we play a more traditional style."
GS: What was your favorite memory from this past season? Â
MD: "Getting to play with some of the best players and share the field with the six players that retired at the end of season; Alyssa Denham, Sam Fischer, Haylie McCleney, Sashel Palacios, Gwen Svekis, Peyton St. George."
GS: Did you get to travel anywhere cool while competing with Athlete's Unlimited?Â
MD: "The coolest place we traveled was to Greenville, N.C., for the Little League Softball World Series. We got to watch the girls play, spent time hanging out with them where we learned new cheers, new languages and played games, and we sat down and ate meals with them. Overall, it was an awesome experience and good to get to meet the girls as many of us are big role models to them."
GS: How did Gopher Softball help you accomplish getting to the professional level?
MD: "Gopher Softball allowed me to play at a high, competitive level that helped me transition easier into my professional career. Being able to balance athletics with academics and other commitments required discipline, time management, and the ability to prioritize effectively. This experience helped me develop the focus and organizational skills needed in my professional life. Most importantly, competing in a well-regarded program at 'The U' introduced me to a network of professionals, mentors, and fellow athletes that helped me grow connections and opened doors that provided me guidance helped me transition into a professional career."
Gopher Sports: What years were you at Minnesota and what league do you currently play in?
Morgan DeBord: "I competed at Minnesota during the 2024 season and now play professionally in the Athlete's Unlimited league."
GS: Now that you're competing at Athlete's Unlimited, can you tell me about that league?
MD: "The way Athlete's Unlimited is run is very different than other professional softball leagues. We play a non-traditional style fo softball where we get redrafted each week of the season to play with other players. So there's no postseason! Next year, we will have one with the new AUSL (Athlete's Unlimited Softball League) when we play a more traditional style."
GS: What was your favorite memory from this past season? Â
MD: "Getting to play with some of the best players and share the field with the six players that retired at the end of season; Alyssa Denham, Sam Fischer, Haylie McCleney, Sashel Palacios, Gwen Svekis, Peyton St. George."
GS: Did you get to travel anywhere cool while competing with Athlete's Unlimited?Â
MD: "The coolest place we traveled was to Greenville, N.C., for the Little League Softball World Series. We got to watch the girls play, spent time hanging out with them where we learned new cheers, new languages and played games, and we sat down and ate meals with them. Overall, it was an awesome experience and good to get to meet the girls as many of us are big role models to them."
GS: How did Gopher Softball help you accomplish getting to the professional level?
MD: "Gopher Softball allowed me to play at a high, competitive level that helped me transition easier into my professional career. Being able to balance athletics with academics and other commitments required discipline, time management, and the ability to prioritize effectively. This experience helped me develop the focus and organizational skills needed in my professional life. Most importantly, competing in a well-regarded program at 'The U' introduced me to a network of professionals, mentors, and fellow athletes that helped me grow connections and opened doors that provided me guidance helped me transition into a professional career."
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