Biography:
Milan Mimi Bolden-Morris is a former basketball player and current graduate assistant football coach. She was born and raised in Belle Glade, Florida, and attended Cardinal Newman High School. Born to parents Michael, a policeman, and Melanie, a high school principal, Bolden-Morris had a strong foundation of support and guidance from her family. She excelled academically and served as the president of her school’s National Honor Society.
Sports played a significant role in Bolden-Morris’s life from an early age. She participated in various sports, including baseball, softball, and flag football. Her passion and determination were evident as she pursued her athletic endeavors. In her senior year of high school, Bolden-Morris made a powerful statement by wearing a prom dress adorned with faces from the Black Lives Matter movement. This act of activism showcased her commitment to social justice and sparked important conversations within her community.
Bolden-Morris’s basketball journey took her to Boston College, where she played for three and a half years and earned a bachelor’s degree in communication. She then transferred to Georgetown University, where she continued to play basketball and contribute to the team’s success. As a guard, Bolden-Morris emerged as a leader, leading the Georgetown women’s basketball team in scoring with an average of 12.6 points per game. She also showcased her three-point shooting skills, making 83 three-point shots during her time at Georgetown. In recognition of her outstanding achievements, she was awarded the Most Outstanding Student Award.
Driven by her passion for sports, Bolden-Morris pursued higher education and earned a master’s degree in sports industry management from Georgetown. She currently attends the University of Michigan, where she is working towards a second master’s degree in public policy. Bolden-Morris’s dedication to furthering her education demonstrates her commitment to personal growth and making a positive impact in the world of sports.
Bolden-Morris’s journey has now led her to the coaching realm. In March 2022, she was hired by the Michigan Wolverines football team as a graduate assistant coach, focusing on working with quarterbacks. Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh recognized Bolden-Morris’s exceptional qualities, describing her as bright, intelligent, and competitive. He emphasized the importance of providing opportunities for individuals like Bolden-Morris, who are passionate about football and have the drive to become coaches.
Bolden-Morris’s hiring marked a significant milestone, as she became the first female graduate assistant coach in the Power Five, particularly in the Big Ten. She expressed her gratitude for the opportunity and acknowledged Coach Harbaugh’s efforts to create an inclusive environment. Her dream of being part of a football team, inspired by watching her father coach her brother, is now being realized. Bolden-Morris draws parallels between guards in basketball and quarterbacks in football, recognizing the similarities in decision-making, reading defenses, and executing plays with precision.
Bolden-Morris’s story serves as a testament to the power of perseverance, dedication, and breaking barriers. Through her accomplishments, she has become a role model for aspiring athletes and women in sports. Inclusivity and equal opportunities have been at the forefront of Bolden-Morris’s journey, and she continues to pave the way for future generations of women in the sports industry.
Awards:
– Most Outstanding Student Award (Georgetown University)