Judy Morgan: An Unsung Hero

Many times you hear players or coaches refer to a football team as a family, but it is not as often that you hear about the team mom.

Judy Morgan, football assistant under coach Larry Blakeney, is currently in her 17^th year in athletics and is known for her caring heart.

“She takes care of everyone,” Obed Ellis, former offensive lineman from 1999-2003, said.

 “It doesn’t matter if you’re a starter like DeMarcus Ware or a walk-on, she knows your name,” he said.

She does more than just care for the players though; she puts them as a top priority.

“I feel like Ms. Judy would put any football player before herself,” Kyle Wilborn, senior offensive lineman, said.

“I think that really goes to show how great of an individual she is and how invaluable she is to this program,” he said.

Morgan was raised in Zion Chapel and said she has always loved athletics, but never thought she would be working in an athletic department.

She raised two sons but experienced heartbreak when her oldest son committed suicide his senior year of high school.

Morgan said that made a big difference in her life, but coming to the Troy athletic department helped her heal.

“Once I got involved in athletics I became a part of a family,” Morgan said. “I had a spot in my heart that was broken and they filled that spot for me.”

She not only forms relationships with the players, but also their families.

She said when she notices couples in the stands cheering on their son, she will go up and introduce herself.

“I want them to know that they have somebody here that loves that son playing,” Morgan said. “I tell them I’m a second mom to them.”

That is exactly how players describe her as well.

“She is almost our mother away from home,” Wilborn said. “I feel like she views us as her own children.”

Her connection with players does not only last while the players are at the university but extends long after.

Last year during Super Bowl week, Morgan was in communication with Lawrence Tynes and Jerrel Jernigan, former Trojans on the New York Giants team, as they prepared for one of the biggest games of their lives.
Current players also plan to stay in touch with Morgan once they graduate.

“I am truly grateful to have had her in my life these past five years,” Wilborn said. “I will be sure to stay in contact with her once my playing days are done.”

She is not just a mom to players, but she also helps keep the coaches focused on their jobs.

Zach Johnson, sophomore offensive lineman, said she is the person that keeps the field house together.

“Without her female presence around, it would probably be nasty and smelling like week old pizza,” Johnson said.

Morgan said in her opinion she has the greatest job in the world.

“People ask me why I love Troy and why I love football players. They are my family,” she said.

“I tell people I don’t have a job, I just get up and come to work every day because it’s fun,” Morgan said.