Will Hoogendyk IV, Campus Carrier sports editor

Stephen Slezak, Campus Carrier asst. sports editor

Berry has always been a school where athletics are a priority for the student body and athletic department. Many former Vikings have achieved success, with some also moving on to play at the next level. Notable Berry alumni who have gone on to play professionally include Mason Kinsey of the Tennessee Titans and Collin McHugh for the Atlanta Braves

Kinsey was a wide receiver who played for the Vikings from 2016-2019. After going undrafted during the 2020 National Football League (NFL) Draft, he eventually signed with the Tennessee Titans. He has spent time on the Titans practice squad and earned a spot on their active roster in 2022 when he made his NFL debut.

McHugh was a right-handed pitcher for the Vikings before being drafted in 2008 by the New York Mets. McHugh has played for multiple teams in his career, including the Houston Astros, where he won the 2017 World Series. McHugh also had stints with the Tampa Bay Rays and Atlanta Braves during his career before retiring in 2024.

With the addition of fifth year eligibility for some athletes, former Vikings have graduated from Berry and gone on to play at major institutions in the country. Two graduates of the 2024 class that transferred out of Berry for their fifth year were volleyball player Jazzy Innis and softball player Morgan Frye. Innis played her fifth year at Lynn University, a Division Two school, and Frye went to Ohio State University, a Power Five Division One School. Frye gave her insight into why she chose Ohio State for her fifth year.

“I have been an Ohio State fan my entire life,” Frye said. “My dad was born and raised in Ohio, so it’s in my blood. I knew I wanted to come to OSU for law school and I made that happen academically. I reached out to the coach here and the opportunity presented itself and I couldn’t pass it up. It all came together, and I am very grateful.”

Innis also had a similar pathway to choosing her school.

“I initially found Lynn because I was familiar with their conference and the school was in a beautiful area,” Innis said. “I emailed the coaches, had two phone calls with them, and then they flew me down for a visit. During my visit, I met with admissions counselors and advisors and got to spend time with the volleyball team. I spoke with a few other schools before committing, but for me and my family, Lynn ultimately made the most sense financially.”

As both athletes went on to their new schools, they were also able to reflect on what they gained from their time as a Viking.

“Berry prepared me academically and athletically,” Frye said. “I was challenged on and off the field making me better prepared for that same challenge I face at Ohio State. The time commitment is greater here but the time management skills I developed at Berry have helped me adapt to the commitment.”

Innis gave different insight on how her day to day routine looks different than when she was at Berry.

“At Berry, I typically took four to six classes at a time, whereas Lynn’s block schedule only required me to take two at a time,” Innis said. “Which allowed me to give each class more of my time. Volleyball wise, Berry’s program was extremely disciplined and well-structured, so I knew that no matter where I went, I’d be able to adapt and manage.”

Innis, in her one season at Lynn, won the Division Two Indoor Volleyball National Championship. Lynn took down San Francisco State in the NCAA Championship game. On the way to the national championship, they beat top tier division two schools including University of Tampa and Wingate University.

“Honestly, it was the most surreal experience ever,” Innis said. “Every athlete dreams of winning a national championship, and to finish my last season that way was magical. I’ve competed in national championship tournaments before but always fell short, so to finally be part of a team that did it was incredible. It was a fairytale ending to the best four years at Berry and my final year at Lynn.”

Going from a Division Three school to a Power Five school like Ohio State is an adjustment for athletes because not many ever go through that transition. In Division One athletics, there have been advancements with the recent Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals that these athletes receive, not to mention the increased competition and player skill level that Frye is now facing. Ohio State recently played perennial powerhouse Florida State and other big-name schools like Alabama and Clemson.

“I’ve had many more NIL opportunities, so it has been an adjustment in managing them,” Frye said. “They are a great opportunity to network and grow the game.”

Frye also acknowledges the competitive difference in her transition.

“We played some great teams while I was at Berry, and we are playing great teams now at Ohio State,” Frye said. “The game is just a little different here. Everyone is big, fast, and strong making it more apparent how important strength and conditioning is at this level.”

The experiences that Jazzy Innis and Morgan Frye had during their time as Vikings gave them skills and tools that translate to all areas of their athletic pursuits, regardless of what division of sports they play in. For Innis, her work ethic helped earn her a national championship, and for Frye the results have yet to come.