Morgan Werth graduated from Clemson University in 2018 with her B.A. in Sports Communication. She currently is an associate producer for the UFC, as well a sideline reporter for the Las Vegas Desert Dogs, a professional lacrosse team based in Las Vegas, NV.
After working for Clemson Athletics in the video department and other sports and media internships, Morgan Werth accepted a role at ESPN as a production assistant where she worked on coordinating live college sports. From here, she went on to her current position at UFC. Her main roles are to interview fighters, tell and organize stories for broadcasts, and edit content. In addition, Morgan’s work as a sideline reporter has her talking to players and coaches, researching, and collaborating with directors and producers to create scripts and questions for the live broadcasts.
Morgan’s journey both professionally and as a Clemson student has propelled her into the sports world and her career today. She recommends networking as a great way to kickstart job searching and urges students to not be afraid to reach out to connections.
Check out the interview below to learn more about Morgan!
As we celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day, it’s only right to shout out a team that did some memorable things to finish out 2023. This past season, the Clemson Women’s Soccer Team had a historic year, finishing 18-4-4 overall and earning themselves an appearance in the College Cup for the first time in program history. The team consisted of 25 incredible women who showed up in June for optional training in hopes of building something special. The team committed to training almost their entire summer leading up to pre-season, and their hard work and preparation did not go to waste. As a member of that team, I can confirm that the leadership, culture, and grit of the team was unlike anything I’ve ever seen in my 15 years of playing soccer. It would be impossible to talk about the team or its success without mentioning four names who were all selected in the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) draft in January. I will be sharing with you their individual achievements and stats, but more importantly, I’m going to highlight the intangibles that these ladies brought to the team.
Clemson University’s 2023 Women’s Soccer Team
#15 Hal Hershfelt (right) competing against Penn State
At the top of the list is #15 Hal Hershfelt. She was the No. 5 overall pick in the draft, selected by the Washington Spirit. In her career at Clemson, Hershfelt earned herself a spot on the ACC All-Freshman Team in 2019, Third Team All-ACC Team in 2020, Second Team All-ACC in 2021 and 2022, and First Team All-ACC in 2023. Additionally, she was the only Tiger selected to the NCAA’s 2023 All-Tournament Team. She was 1 of 2 captains for the Tigers who led by example on and off the field. On the field, Hershfelt was the hardest worker, backbone of the midfield, and “voice” for the team. Before games, she would give an inspirational speech, and if the Tiger’s ever conceded a goal during the run of play, she was the one they turned towards to talk them out of a hole. Off the field, she was a stellar student and an even better teammate. What set her apart from the rest of the group was her love and belief in the team. Hershfelt returned to Clemson for her fifth year because she saw something special in the team, and she made sure that they reached their full potential. Hal was an extraordinary captain for the Tigers and her impact on the program as a young woman and player is something that will never be forgotten.
#2 Makenna Morris playing in the 2023 ACC Championship
The second Tiger to be selected in the draft was Makenna Morris at No. 13. In the 2023 season, Morris led the Tigers in points with 10 goals and 6 assists, totaling for 26 points. She has a long list of accolades, including ACC All-Freshman Team and Second Team All-ACC in 2020/2021, Third Team All-ACC in 2021, First Team All-ACC in 2023, Best XI Second Team in 2023, and United Soccer Coaches All-American Second Team in 2023. As the Tiger’s most versatile player, Morris was a fierce competitor, crafty playmaker, and overall offensive and defensive weapon. As impactful as she was on the pitch, she was even more incredible off the field. From her witty personality to her undeniable loyalty, Makenna was loved and respected by everyone. Arguably, the greatest thing she brought to the team was her humor and one-liners. If there was one thing you could count on during practice, it was either A. Makenna was going to meg you (and by you, I mean me) or 2. she was going to crack a joke. Makenna was a once in a lifetime player, and I’m grateful to have gotten to represent the same jersey as her.
#1 Halle Mackiwicz celebrating after saving a PK against Georgia
The 32Nd pick overall and first goalkeeper to be selected in the draft was our very own Halle Mackiewicz. Mackiewicz had an unbelievable senior season with the Tigers, finishing with 13 clean sheets which broke the single season record for shutouts. In her last season, she earned herself the title of 2023 ACC Goalkeeper of the Year and was named a Second Team All-American. She recorded 64 saves in her senior season alone, and saved the team many, many times. Her cat-like reflexes and wicked athleticism left so many spectators speechless after watching her play. Halle was impossible not to love and brought joy to everyone around her. She had such an easy-going, calm temperament that drew people to her, and we used to joke that if you didn’t love Halle, there was something wrong with you. Although shy at first, once you got to know Halle, there was never a time you weren’t laughing or smiling with her. She was a kind, gentle soul off the field and a fearless, brick-wall on the field, and it was honor playing with her. Her legacy at Clemson is one that will never be forgotten, and I’m positive that she will build a similar legacy with the Kansas City Current.
#23 Caroline Conti holding the 2023 Semifinalist trophy
Last but certainly not least, Caroline Conti was selected by Bay Football Club in the third round of the draft. As a Tiger, Conti earned Third Team All-ACC in 2022 and 2023 and played in 100 total matches in a Tiger uniform. She scored 27 goals and recorded 20 assists in her career, leaving an impressive mark on the stat book. More impressive than her stats, however, was her leadership as our captain. Conti was the team’s biggest advocate, motivator, and everyone’s big sister. When I think of what it means to uphold the values and culture of a Clemson Tiger, she is the first person that comes to mind. Apart from being a special leader, Caroline had a heart of gold and was full of passion. There was rarely a day that she wasn’t smiling unless she happened to lose against me in our daily ping pong matches. She was the perfect balance of a fierce leader and supportive friend, and she set an incredibly high standard of what it means to wear that captain band. I can confidently say that the team and I looked up to Caroline in more ways than one, and we’re excited to see all her future success.
This spring, the Department of Communication is excited to introduce four new interns! Under the expertise of Dr. Lori Pindar, these interns will be working on a wide variety of projects this semester. Stay tuned for those, and read below to learn more about Mackenzie, Libby, Erin, and Nia!
Mackenzie Duff
Mackenzie is a senior communication major with a minor in sociology. She is also a member of the women’s soccer team here at Clemson. Born and raised in St. Louis, Mackenzie enjoys tanning, shopping/all things fashion, hanging out with her friends and family, and playing sports like basketball and pickleball. When Mackenzie heard there was an opportunity to intern with Dr. Pindar and the Department of Communication, she jumped right on it because she has loved her last two and a half years studying communication. Mackenzie hopes to travel the world one day while simultaneously pursuing her career as a professional soccer player. If you ever need to locate Mackenzie, try looking at the soccer practice fields or the rowing docks!
Libby Morgan
Libby is a senior communication major with a minor in psychology. Some of her prior experiences include being a PR intern with Clemson CBSHS, completing a media internship with a non-profit over the summer, and working as a summer intern at a law firm. She grew up in Cincinnati (go Bengals) and moved to Greenville, SC before high school. Libby loves photography, coffee, watching sports, and running around Greenville with her dog. She has greatly enjoyed being a part of the Department of Communication for the past four years, and is so excited to be working with Dr. Pindar and the other department interns during her final semester at Clemson!
Erin Spencer
Erin is a senior majoring in communication with a minor in English. She graduates this spring and has loved her time at Clemson as a communication major. Originally from Lexington, Kentucky, she can’t wait for the weather to warm up down here and enjoy being outside! You can find Erin reading, playing tennis, spending time with friends and family, and traveling. This is her first semester as an intern for the Department of Communication and she can’t wait to get started!
Nia Christie
Nia is a student-athlete in the jumps program for the Clemson women’s track and field team. She is working to get her degree in business management with a concentration in human resources and a minor in communication. She’s from Connecticut, a very small state in the North! Even though Nia is from the North, she is absolutely loving the South. She is the youngest in her family of four and has one older brother. Nia recently joined the best sorority in the world: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. In her free time, which is little to none, she likes to hang out with family and friends, cook, be outdoors, and just live life to the fullest! Nia feels that she is a very warm and welcoming personality, and is very excited to go forth with this internship this semester!!
