Softball 11/17/2025 9:00:00 AM MSU Athletics Communications

LEGACY IN FOCUS: Cayla Sweazie, Softball

For Cayla Sweazie, her possibilities at Morgan State went beyond the game of softball. After playing softball for the Lady Bears and graduating in 2022, Sweazie instantly knew sports had always been more than just games. Establishing excellence is something Sweazie has exemplified beyond her time at Morgan State, proving that dreams are limitless at the National Treasure.

Raised in Northern Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C., Sweazie and her three siblings were always on the move, hopping from sport to sport. "My parents signed us up for, like, anything and everything," she recalls. Amid the whirlwind of activities, softball emerged as her passion. "Honestly, softball was just the sport I was good at from a young age." By sixth or seventh grade, she knew she wanted to pursue it seriously. What started as a fun pastime quickly became a gateway to opportunity. "Around middle school, early high school, I realized athletics could really propel you to the next level — scholarships, easing the financial burden of college. So it went from fun to competitive really fast."

When it came time for college, Sweazie knew instantly that HBCUs were at the top of her list. "I sent emails to every school in the region," she says. "I knew I wanted to stay on the East Coast — something drivable from Virginia". Morgan State University stood out to her the most. "Coach Myron (Vanterpool) recruited me, and I wanted to go somewhere I was really wanted."

Transitioning to an HBCU was an adjustment for Sweazie, who grew up in a predominantly white community, but she embraced the change wholeheartedly—an experience she describes as transformative.

Life at Morgan

At Morgan, Sweazie majored in Multimedia Journalism while competing as a Division I softball player, learning to balance the demands of academics and athletics. As a freshman, she made an immediate impact—earning both MEAC Player of the Week and MEAC Rookie of the Week honors. Her first year, however, wasn't without challenges. "I had the unique experience of having COVID my freshman year," she recalls. But even that obstacle couldn't slow her down.

Her perseverance, combined with unwavering support from teammates and coaches, paid off in historic fashion. In 2021, Sweazie and the Lady Bears won the MEAC Championship for the first time in school history. "That was a defining moment," she says. It was then that she truly realized the magnitude of what her team had accomplished.

Academically, Sweazie found her stride in Morgan's tight-knit journalism program. "I think being outspoken and taking initiative in those smaller environments helped me grow as a leader," she says. Those experiences not only shaped her confidence but also nurtured leadership skills that would continue to guide her long after graduation.

Life after Morgan

After completing her degree in just three years, Sweazie was ready to take her next step into the world of sports journalism. She was selected as a Rhoden Fellow—an esteemed ESPN program named after legendary sports journalist and Morgan alumnus Bill Rhoden. "The Rhoden Fellowship was everything for my career," she says. "I didn't have any professional experience at that level before, and it opened me up to a world of resources and people." Determined to stay with ESPN, she networked relentlessly. Her persistence paid off, ultimately helping her transition from student fellow to full-time ESPN employee.

With her new role came new challenges. "Working in sports can look glamorous from the outside, but it's demanding. There's a lot of travel, late nights, and constant hustle. It's not for everyone—but I love it." Her background as a student-athlete proved invaluable. "Being an athlete taught me so many transferable skills," she says. Teamwork, collaboration, and stepping up as a leader are strengths that continue to support her in everything she does.

As a young Black woman in sports media, Sweazie is also aware of the adversity that can accompany the profession. "There have been times where I'm one of the few women — or the only Black woman — in a press box," she explains. "At first, it was intimidating. But now I realize it's important that our stories are told, and I can't let fear stop me from asking the questions that matter." Her journey has taught her how to persevere in professional spaces while recognizing the significance of both representation and storytelling.

When it comes to legacy, Sweazie looks to those who paved the way. "The first person I think of is Mr. [William] Rhoden," she says. "He inspired me with his legacy and what he accomplished at Morgan and ESPN. I'll never be him, but I can inspire the next generation." For Sweazie, legacy isn't defined by accolades—it's determined by connection.

Reflecting on her own legacy, she adds, "I want people to remember me outside of my work. Maybe a kind interaction, a joke I told, or just the way I made them feel. When I think back on Morgan, that's what people gave me—good energy, encouragement, support. I just hope I can make others feel the same way."

From the softball fields of Northern Virginia to the sidelines of ESPN, Cayla Sweazie's story is one filled with drive, adaptability, and passion. Her journey demonstrates that success doesn't always follow a traditional path, but with dedication, authenticity, and community, you can create your own unique path.

In her own words, she states, "No opportunity is too big or too far out of reach. You don't have to follow a specific path. You can create your own."

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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.

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