Family photo taken at Oregon Tech, Oct. 30, 2021. Larry, Carol, Ginger, Dan, Mindi and Mike.
‘A truly special night;’ Linfielder Howard Morris honored during ceremony and dinner, Oct. 30, 2021, at Oregon Tech in Klamath Falls
Posted 11/1/2021 at Wildcatville blog
The Howard Morris Hall of Fame inaugural ceremony and dinner was held Oct. 30, 2021, by Oregon Tech Athletics on the Oregon Tech campus in Klamath Falls
Howard Morris, who died at age 81 in 2017, was a 1958 Linfield graduate.
During the ceremony that event, Howard was the first and only inductee to the “Hall.”
"It was a truly special night, a fantastic evening, for me and the family," said Howard's widow, Ginger Morris, a member of Linfield Class of 1959.
As a Linfield student, Howard was an outstanding football player (guard) during the 1954, 1955, 1956 and 1957 seasons. His honors as a Linfield football player included being named All-American. He played football at Linfield for coach Paul Durham.
His Linfield football jersey number, 43, is one of only three retired by Linfield. The other jersey numbers retired were those of players Ad Rutschman and Vic Fox.
In addition to football, Howard was a standout Linfield baseball player for Coach Roy Helser.
In August 2021, Oregon Tech introduced the Howard Morris Hall of Fame. At that time John Van Dyke, Oregon Tech athletic director said, the Hall of Fame in Morris’ name was a “well-deserved public acknowledgment of a lifetime of service." He thanked Ginger and the entire Morris family for their "support of Howard's commitment to creating one of the NAIA's elite athletic departments."
"Howard had a positive and encouraging personality that inspired so many players and coaches throughout his career. He made an impact on me as a coach and his influence added to the pride I have in being affiliated with the Oregon Tech athletics," said Greg Stewart, Oregon Tech associate director of athletics and head softball coach.
Among many achievements, Howard was instrumental in building the athletic program at Oregon Tech. Throughout his coaching career, he led Tech’s football, wrestling, and baseball programs, in addition to teaching Health and Physical Education.
He became Oregon Tech athletic director in 1974, a position he held for 18 years before retiring in 1992. He served as Cascade Collegiate Conference Commissioner, 1994-2003.
Howard's honors include NAIA District 2 Wrestling Coach of the Year (1969-70), Baseball Coach of the Year (1980-1982), and NAIA District Administrator of the Year (1989). He is an inductee of the NAIA District 2 Coaches Hall of Fame, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Linfield University Hall of Fame (1999), and the NAIA National Hall of Fame (1996).
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