JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Edward Waters University, now a division II school, is seeing its athletics program rise, particularly the Tigers football team under head coach Toriano Morgan, which is becoming a force in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). In a year full of firsts, the team has welcomed its first female player in program history.
Freshman Kicker Shelby Towkach earned her spot on the team this season. When asked how people react to her role on the team, she shared: "They're like—do you play football? What's it like?"
Head coach Toriano Morgan was impressed with Towkach from the start.
"She came out and was able to withstand and finish the conditioning test," Morgan said.
Towkach, who previously played football at Yulee High School, embraced the challenge of playing at the collegiate level.
"From weightlifting to running and kicking, and trying to keep up with them," she said of her experience.
But before earning her Tigers jersey, Towkach had to catch the attention of Coach Morgan.
"Shelby actually recruited us," Morgan said. "She called and showed interest, wanting to be part of the football team."
Towkach added, "We reached out, me and my mom, and emailed Coach Morgan. It took him a couple of months, but he got back to us."
Towkach said she knew she wasn't done with football after high school and hoped to continue kicking field goals and extra points.
"Having this opportunity to play is just amazing, and I hope to continue that," she said.
As for playing college football and potentially facing bigger hits, Towkach remains unfazed.
"You take a hit, you get back up," she said. "I've got horses, too. I have a farm, and I get run over by horses. It's kind of similar, but I've got gear."
Looking ahead, Towkach has even bigger dreams. She hopes to become the first female kicker in the NFL.
Fans can see Towkach and the Edward Waters Tigers in action this Thursday night, as they travel to Benedict College for an 8 p.m. kickoff. EWU will play its first home game of the season on Saturday, Sept. 28, when they host the Tuskegee Golden Tigers.