Lindenwood Magazine - Spring 2024

16 17 SPRING 2024 EDITION THE LINDENWOOD THE LINDENWOOD SPRING 2024 EDITION ATHLETICS LINDENWOOD UNIVERSITY LINDENWOOD ATHLETICS A PROMISING OUTCOME There was plenty of rain on December 4, 2004, as is the norm in Kigali, Rwanda, but this was no ordinary day. As is River Lakey’s path to Lindenwood University. Lakey, now a member of Lindenwood’s NCAA Division I football team, was found in a ditch during a rainstorm. But the lady who found him was unable to care for him, so he ended up in an orphanage. Lakey was adopted by his father, Jimmy, in 2008. Although Jimmy could only take one child home, he made a promise to all the other kids in the orphanage. This sparked the River’s Promise, a foundation that gives back to his hometown. “We totally closed out that orphanage,” Lakey said. “We gave all the children, families, and school support and ever since then, we’ve been doing God’s work and taking care of everybody.” This was only the first step for Lakey. He has big plans for the foundation moving forward. “We built a K–12 over there in Rwanda,” he said. “After doing that, I want to build a college over there and bring the gift of education at a higher level.” Lakey and Jimmy still go back to Rwanda on occasion and see all the people they have helped, some of which are now married and have kids of their own. “When I think about it, I think that God chose me, and he put me here for a good purpose: To change the world just like my dad,” Lakey said. “I just want to follow in my dad’s footsteps, do what I can even better, and just make everyone proud.” RECORD BREAKER Records are meant to be broken. And that’s exactly what Morgan Neitzke did this season. A junior forward on Lindenwood University’s NCAA Division I women’s hockey team, Neitzke is now the owner of seven program records, all of which were set this season. The Jackson, Michigan, native has 96 points in her career, 46 of which came during the 2023–24 campaign. Those 46 points consisted of 24 goals, and 22 assists—all three program records. Neitzke ranked sixth in the country with those 24 goals and was a nominee for the Patty Kazmaier Award, which is given to the top player in women’s college hockey. On top of the individual accolades, she helped lead Lindenwood to 11 wins on the season, a new single-season high for a relatively young program that joined the Division I ranks in 2011–12. “Our team is incredibly proud of Morgan and the year she had,” coach Taylor Wasylk said. “We went into the year knowing she was closing in on a few program records, and we ended the year certain that by the time she is done here, she will own every single offensive record in Lindenwood history. She is an incredibly talented player, person, and teammate, and I think this year was only the beginning of her showing everyone what she is capable of.” She is an incredibly talented player, person, and teammate, and I think this year was only the beginning of her showing everyone what she is capable of. TAYLOR WASYLK (Women’s Hockey Coach) Athletics RIVER LAKEY We gave all the children, families, and school support and ever since then, we’ve been doing God’s work and taking care of everybody.