Empowering The Future
August 14, 2024 | Soccer
Macey Hodge helps set a standard for MSU soccer.
STARKVILLE – One of the most integral keys to building a successful program is forming a foundation built on empowering the athletes of the future.
After leaving it all on the pitch for the Maroon and White since 2020, graduate midfielder Macey Hodge has used that sentiment with the goal of ultimately leaving the Mississippi State soccer program better than she found it.
"Our biggest thing moving forward is empowering the younger girls and making sure that they know the standards [and] the expectations," Hodge said. "We love them, we support them and it's always going to be a family-type feel. We take a lot of pride in being almost like a catalyst to what we've become now [as a program]."
Over four years with the Bulldogs, Hodge has accumulated 6,470 minutes played and has 72 starts. She was also named a member of the SEC Preseason Watchlist in back-to-back years and earned All-SEC First Team Midfielder honors last season for her tenacious play on the pitch.
Racking up honors is nothing new for one of the conference's longest-tenured midfielders. Along with being a 2023 Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll recipient, Hodge was also voted as a captain by her teammates before the Bulldogs kicked off their historic run to the Sweet 16 last season.
Representing the Maroon and White on the field and in the classroom has been larger than life for Hodge and is something that she will treasure forever.
"It's larger than words. It's extremely special [but] we're obviously just a small part of Mississippi State's grander history," Hodge said. "It gives us great pride and joy to know that we were the pioneers that [helped] take the program to the next level. It's just awesome to be a small part of something that's going to end up being so big in the future."
During her time playing collegiate soccer, Hodge has faced her fair share of adversity. She has remained headstrong through it all and the obstacles faced throughout her career have given her a new perspective on life.
"For me, I used it as a learning opportunity," Hodge said. "It showed me there's a lot more to life than just soccer. You have a plan in mind, and you think that you know that you have everything set in stone and then all of a sudden something happens and it's not. Soccer is a huge part of me, but it's not what I am, and I have a lot of joy and things to offer outside of it."
After battling through severe injuries, Hodge was not sure she would ever play the sport again without pain. Figuring out who she was and what brought her joy outside of soccer has played a huge role in the person she is today.
Through all the adversity and obstacles put in her path, Hodge has never backed down. She has proven she is a warrior on and off the pitch, which has developed Hodge into one of the most fierce competitors and leaders in the country.
At the end of the day, all of the strenuous effort that Hodge has put into helping build the program to what it is today is worth it knowing the support that awaits her from the community at MSU.
"It's an electric environment that we play in, and it definitely gives us a boost," Hodge said. "Feeling that support from the community around us gets us through some of the tougher times knowing that we're playing for something that's a lot bigger than the 30 girls in the locker room. We're playing for a community. A lot of little girls out there look up to us [and] it's awesome."
For Hodge, helping those in need who have supported her through thick and thin is something that she will forever hold near and dear to her heart. One of the most important aspects of Hodge's offseason has been giving back to the community through the many opportunities that are offered through the athletic department at State.
As a leader on and off the pitch, Hodge has helped set the standard for the future of the MSU soccer program.
"Just knowing that we played a part in this has been amazing," Hodge said. "We will all be Bulldogs until the day we die, and I can't wait to see the growth and the future that the program has. We will always be ringing those cowbells."
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