Morgan Long '19 Recruiting Profile

I am very serious about softball and I have dreamed of playing softball in college since I was a very young girl.  Along with most high academic athletes, I take my education very seriously. My future college education is what is most important to me. It will set the course for my future and is key to my career success. I truly believe this is a 4 for 40 decision and is one of the most critical decisions I will make in my life.  I also believe that my level of softball skills, my dedication and future development are strong enough to play for a highly competitive college program. I have always been competitive in most everything I do. I find that my friends and I compete in the classroom with each other just as much as we do in our various sports, and I love a challenge. I am very blessed and very grateful for having a supportive family that allows me to pursue my dreams. 

So why am I a good candidate for your school? My work ethic both on and off the field is very aggressive. I know how to commit and do what it takes to succeed in school and in softball. I am organized and responsible with my workouts and class work, while still maintaining healthy relationships with friends and family outside of softball.  It is a challenge to stay balanced while being ultra committed to my studies and to softball, but I make it a priority to schedule time with friends and family.  My GPA and aggressive class load should prove my commitment to being a good student athlete.  I am confident in my abilities and wouldn't even begin to try to play college softball if I didn't believe I had the talent and the skills to play at the level, and I believe I do have those skills!

What I truly believe sets me apart from many other recruits?  I am the consummate team player. My most natural positions are catcher and first base.  At times my team has needed me to go outside of my comfort zone due to teammates injuries, so I have learned to play third base and corner outfield for my travel team the last two years.  I have worked hard to become better than just adequate at those positions.  Catcher is still my primary position on my travel team, but I can confidently play most other positions as well.  My high school team lacked a true shortstop last season so I even stepped up and took on the challenge of being their primary shortstop.  I don’t mind doing whatever it takes to make my teammates and myself better.  I am positive and loud both in the dugout and on the field. 

I am very strong mentally.  My team has had an aggressive mental game training program the last four years and I can say that my mental game is as strong as anyone’s.  I have learned many skills through this training that translate far outside of softball for me.  My ability to handle success and failure, stay in or get back to green, focus on the process and not the outcome, visualize, create routines, take breaths, and be in the present moment are just a few.  I have really taken on this challenge of becoming a “mental ninja” and to continue to lead my team in Quality At-Bats.    

I also am fortunate not to need the most aggressive financial package (scholarship).  My family makes a good living and the educational opportunities will outweigh the financial package offered athletically or academically.  I am not looking to walk on, but I also am not looking for the most aggressive academic or athletic scholarship package either.  This is a 4 for 40 decisions so I don’t want to be penny wise and dollar foolish.  

Lastly, my team has played some of the best competition that the country has to offer.  I have performed at a very high level against some of the best pitchers and teams out there.  Our team has sought to play the best teams possible and we travel the country playing the best Triple Crown, PGF and ASA events we can find.  I know my skills measure up well against the best players in the nation, which will translate well to college competition.      

I am confident I will be as or better prepared to play at the college level than most other players, and I am looking forward to the opportunity to do so.   Thank you for reading my personal statement.