Heads Up: Here Comes Morgan!

By Lisa Himonas, MA

Many social work professionals spend time IN court, but Bachelor of Social Work student Morgan Warburton has been making a name for herself and the University of Utah with her talents ON the court. The 5’11” point guard helped lead the Lady Utes to a 27-3 season and an exciting run through March Madness 2009. In early April, the Helper, UT native and daughter of John and Stacy Warburton became the 33rd pick of the WNBA draft when the Sacramento Monarchs called her name in the third round. Ms. Warburton plans to complete her practicum requirement in Sacramento before graduating from the University of Utah with her bachelor’s degree in August.

We caught up with this high-profile, unassuming young woman to find out, of course, how she was feeling about all of these achievements. “I am overwhelmed with so many different emotions,” said Ms. Warburton. “It is exciting for me, as well as humbling, to be among the best women basketball players. I know I have a lot to learn from them and I can’t wait to finally get a chance to see what happens for me in the next few months.”

Faculty and staff say it is this humble, hard-working attitude that made Ms. Warburton such a wonderful student to have in the program. “She never held herself out as anything special – she was there to learn, participate and collaborate with her fellow students, the faculty, and her practicum coordinators. You would never guess she regularly saved a big game at the buzzer,” said Dr. Scott Boyle, interim BSW Program director.

“I chose to study social work because I found the values that are stressed so much within the field are what I have grown to live by,” said Ms. Warburton. “I also love interacting with different populations and people, because I believe that I, as well as those I will be working with, will only benefit from our differences… By going into social work, I will be able to fulfill needs for others by being someone they can look up to as well as trust.”

As she prepared to head off to Sacramento to play basketball and complete her final practicum hours, Ms. Warburton expressed her gratitude to the faculty, staff, and students at the College and University for the support and encouragement she has received. Although this All-American with a deadly shot will no longer wow crowds at the Huntsman Center, we hope all our alumni will have a chance to watch her play on the national stage.

Our full interview with Ms. Warburton:

CSW: You are graduating and, according to newspaper accounts, heading to your “dream job” – all in the same month. Being in the College of Social Work, I naturally have to ask, “How do you feel about all of this?”
Warburton: The best answer to this question is I am overwhelmed with so many different emotions. I have realized now even more than before, that I have an amazing opportunity to make a dream of mine come true by playing in the WNBA, as well as being able to finish school. It has been so exciting to be able to finish my college career knowing that I have such a strong support system,[and that the people who make up that system have] the confidence in me that I will need to achieve both these goals.

CSW: Why did you choose to study social work?
Warburton: I chose to study social work because I found the values that are stressed so much within the field are what I have grown to live by. I also love interacting with different populations and people, because I believe that I – as well as those I will be working with – will only benefit from our differences. The biggest reason is, that by going into social work, I will be able to fulfill needs for others by being someone they can look up to as well as trust.

CSW: What are some of the things you are looking forward to as you join the WNBA and the Monarchs?
Warburton: I am looking forward to a new challenge with the WNBA and the Monarchs. I will be opened to a whole new world of basketball and life in general. It is exciting for me as well as humbling to be among the best women basketball players. I know I have a lot to learn from them and I can’t wait to finally get a chance to see what happens for me in the next few months.

CSW: Do you think you will use your education as you navigate the challenges of your career? If so, how?
Warburton: It is very important for me to use my education, especially with what I have learned while being in the College of Social Work. The discipline and hard work that I have had to put into my life from learning how to be effective in my education and future career as a social worker, will definitely carry over to the challenges I will face in my career as a basketball player.

CSW: Do you have anything you would like to add—comments about the College, the University, basketball, Utah, etc.?
Warburton: I am so fortunate to be able to associate myself with the University of Utah. I have found while being here that I have one of the strongest support systems not only from those I am affiliated with through basketball, but for the relationships I have established within the College of Social Work. I just want to thank all of you for giving me your encouragement throughout this whole process. I am so happy to have had the opportunity to associate with all of you and it is very exciting for me to know I will have lasting relationships to help me achieve my goals with basketball and social work.