Morgan and Lauren Melzer share a special bond. Not only are they sisters, but they both got the opportunity to play college soccer together on the same Morehead State team. Now they are both excelling in their careers post-college - one making positive strides in human healthcare with the other excelling in animal healthcare.
Morgan (Melzer) King, a year older than her sister Lauren (Melzer) Mirus, also both helped MSU Soccer to its first-ever Ohio Valley Conference tournament championship in 2008, when King was a senior. Mirus went on to help the Eagles also win the league regular-season title in 2009, as a senior.
Mirus continues to make her home in Morehead, serving as Assistant Professor of Veterinary Science at Morehead State's Derrickson Agricultural Complex. Her husband Stephen is a Kentucky State Trooper, while the couple has a 16-month old son, Beau.
King also had made her home in Morehead, working as an occupational therapist for St. Claire Healthcare. Her husband Michael (a former staff member for MSU women's basketball as well) and their children Liza and Molly are transitioning to a new home in Ohio where King will be working in a NICU unit focusing on feeding.
"It was special to play alongside of Lauren," said King. "We could read each other well, knew what each other were thinking and complimented each of our skills well."
Mirus believes her experiences with MSU soccer will never be forgotten.
"Being a student athlete is much more than hours of practice, hours in the weight room, early morning fitness tests, and little to no free time. It was an honor to be a part of MSU's soccer team. The feeling of getting to represent your college by playing a sport you love is indescribable."
Both agreed that MSU prepared them for the many challenges in life that also lead to rewards.
"Being a collegiate athlete had a positive impact on my career and it taught me many life lessons. Trying to maintain good grades while keeping up with the demands of a collegiate athlete schedule taught me about time management," said Mirus. "In conjunction with time management, being a part of a collegiate team also taught me about self-discipline. As a professional in the work force you have an obligation to prioritize tasks and being a college athlete helped prepare me for that."
"Being a part of a collegiate team taught me discipline, teamwork and focus," said King.
Of course, lifelong friendships were built and maintained too.
"The friendships and teamwork made being a part of the soccer program are a special experience," said King. "We were always working hard, for more than ourselves."
Mirus went on to Auburn University after her time at Morehead State, earning her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 2015. Morgan earned her Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy from Milligan (Tenn.) in 2012.
The Florence, Ky., natives are proving that #OnceAnEagleAlwaysAnEagle is something special.
