Sept. 16, 2011

by Liz Renner, Media Relations Student-Assistant

Morgan Eye is used to the close, family-like atmosphere of her hometown of Montrose, MO. The guard played for years with the same group of girls and their successes and failures helped form a strong team that went on to win Montrose's first-ever state championship. Eye remembers that tournament as one of the most memorable of her basketball career.

"[Winning a state championship] was incredible," said Eye. "Probably my favorite game I've ever played was the game that advanced us to the final four because no one in our town had ever made it to the final four and it was like breaking through a wall, and remembering that game, it was an incredible feeling for sure."

Eye has been involved with basketball for as long as she can remember, thanks to her close relationship with her cousin Trevor. The two cousins, who are close in age and share good relationship, grew up playing basketball together. Trevor's influence was one of the key factors in her desire to play basketball.

"My cousin Trevor is kind of who got me interested in basketball, he's kind of my running buddy, and he's my closest cousin so any thing he was going to do, I was going to do. If he was going to play football, that's what I was going to do. All of my cousins and I were kind of into basketball and it was really big in our town so it was easy to get involved with it."

Basketball is not the only sport Eye has excelled at. Eye was a softball all-region and all-district selection as well as a four time state qualifier in Cross Country. However, she says choosing a sport to focus on in college was not a challenge. Though she excelled at all three sports, basketball was more of a passion for her and something she wanted to pursue.

Determining one's future path is daunting and Eye was not without her share of worries. However, she has a strong support system that encourages her along the way, especially her older sister Lauren.

"My sister, Lauren, [is someone who inspires me] and she's always been a support system for me, I like to use her as a good role model because everything she has done she's done it to the fullest. If there was anything she wanted to do, she did it 110% and that's kind of what I look to do. If I ever need advice she's always there for me."

Even with the support of a sister, moving to a new school, a new town, and a new team is difficult. Thankfully, Eye has found comfort in her new team and with a new group of women.

"[Transitioning to a new team] was probably what I was scared about the most just because where I was from I knew exactly what was expected from me and I knew my role on the team, so this has been just a little rough trying to find where I fit in and what I'm capable of and what's expected of me. But the girls are so welcoming and so is the coaching staff, I know I can go talk to them anytime. I realized that I have a family here too so that's helped a lot."

With the support of her new and old families, Eye is ready to take the next step to be a Mizzou Tiger. The Women's Basketball Team's first game is an exhibition match against Truman State on November 1. Eye is ready for the season to start and begin what is sure to be a successful college career.

I'm just looking forward to that first game, the feeling of putting that jersey on. I'm excited for that and stepping on to the floor as a Mizzou Tiger".