For each Marist women’s basketball home game, some 1,000 fans enter McCann Arena; one of these fans is distinctly different from the rest.
Her name is Dakota, a small, furry white dog who dons a red harness that reads “service dog.” Dakota is a Cavapoo, a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Miniature Poodle, and she serves as an emotional support dog for sophomore guard Morgan Tompkins and her family.
“We got her after my grandma passed away and it was like our new little fun adventure. She comes with us everywhere,” said Tompkins. “She’s so good. She is genuinely amazing. She’ll just lay on your lap anywhere for however long.”
Pets are not commonly seen at college basketball games, as they could be potential nuisances in the gym, craving attention or even barking throughout the game. But to Tompkins, Dakota is different, acting more like a fan than an animal.
“She just chills… she watches the basketball games surprisingly,” said Tompkins.
Outside of the arena, Dakota is just like any other family dog. She can perform an array of typical dog tricks, and while spending time at home, she plays with the Tompkins’ other dog, an Australian Shepherd.
Dakota has been the Tompkins’ emotional support dog for nearly four years, with the family taking her everywhere they could, including basketball games. She has been there for every step along Tompkins’ basketball journey, including 12-hour AAU tournaments in Indiana and back home in New York.
A Red Hook native, home games at the McCann Arena are just a short car ride away. Tompkins enjoyed a dominant career at Red Hook High School, one that started a year early as an eighth-grader. She scored over 1,000 points and received a slew of awards, including the Section 9 Dutchess County Most Valuable Player award, as well as being named the Poughkeepsie Journal Player of the Year in 2021. Additionally, Tompkins was named to the Poughkeepsie Journal First Team in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Tompkins received offers from other MAAC conference schools but ultimately decided to remain close to home She was by no means new to the Red Foxes; the guard attended many Marist basketball camps growing up. By committing to Marist, she remained close to her dog.
Dakota’s fandom is not limited to just home games. The Tompkins family regularly attends road games, bringing the Cavapoo with them. Her family’s attendance is appreciated, but nothing compares to seeing Dakota.
“I love seeing her after the game. My mom will let her loose after I come out [of the locker room] and she runs right to me and I grab her, it’s great,” said Tompkins.
As a freshman, Tompkins appeared in all 30 games for Marist, starting seven while averaging 13.3 minutes per game. Tompkins’ best performance came against Canisius, where she played 29 minutes, scored 13 points and grabbed six rebounds.
Following offseason surgery, Tompkins missed the first six games of the 2023-24 campaign. Since returning, Tompkins has worked herself into a more prominent role, seeing a continued uptick in minutes per game as the season unfolds.
Tompkins is not the only Marist player benefitting from Dakota’s company off the court. The rest of the Red Foxes have enjoyed her appearances at the games, stopping to pet her after each game.
Dakota has also been the subject of multiple posts on the women’s basketball team’s social media accounts.
Now, fans of the team are in on the fun as well. In a way, Dakota has become an honorary mascot of sorts for the Red Foxes and their fans.
With the MAAC Tournament on the horizon, it is unclear whether Dakota will be making the trip to Atlantic City or not. Tompkins hinted that her mother may attempt to bring Dakota, but most hotels have rules against bringing pets, so the Tompkins family might have to get creative to bring their furry friend along for the ride.
Edited by Luke Sassa
Graphic by Cara Lacey; Photos from Marist Athletics
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