A Thousand Wins, A Thousand Points, A Million Memories. A Reflection from Family, All-Stars & Colleagues on the Career of Speedy Morris

By John Knebels

PHILADELPHIA – It’s been a few days since history was made at St. Joseph’s Prep. Players have moved on to the next challenge, coaches have returned to the drawing board, families have needed to nurture other concerns, and fans have turned their attention to other matters.

Life goes on.

But for about three or four hours this past Friday, a common purpose brought a standing room only crowd together to celebrate the life and career of Speedy Morris.

Speedy Morris & His Family Members Reflect on His Historic Milestone

See Interviews in above video with Speedy (:05), his son Keith (2:30), grandson Chris (5:46), grandson Matt (6:42), granddaughter Macie (7:23) & granddaughter Caroline and daughter-in-law Tricia (7:53).

Before, during, and after the Prep’s methodical, convincing 63-42 Catholic League victory over visiting Lansdale Catholic, people representing more than eight decades flooded the Prep Fieldhouse to be a small part of Morris winning his 1,000th career basketball game. Including excursions at Roman Catholic, Penn Charter, the Prep, and LaSalle University as both women’s and men’s coach, Morris’ win meter reached quadruple digits in his 50th year of mentoring.

It is extremely rare when someone garners such an overwhelming response while still in the throes of a success story that shows no signs of slowing down in the near future. Maybe that’s what made the event particularly special.

“I’ve been blessed,” said Morris, sitting down in his small office enveloped in wall-to-wall pictures and mementos. “So many memories out there. Players who played for me and coached with me . . . I teared up a few times. I’m very, very grateful. Very, very blessed.”

Late in the second quarter, Prep senior Darius Kinnel scored his 1,000th career point. Kinnel said later that Morris apologized to him for sharing the spotlight of what “should have been” Kinnel’s day all to himself.

“I told him his accomplishment was far more better than mine,” said Morris. “It took him four years. It took me fifty years.”

Below is a series of abbreviated commentary from some of the players, coaches, and, most specially, family members that have comprised a six-decade exercise of excellence. Every decade is represented.

Darius Kinnel's 1,000th basket & post game interview - Videos by John Knebels

Keith Morris, son and current Prep assistant coach: “This game has given our family so much. Through the ups and downs, way more ups than downs, he stuck with it and persevered. You look around this gym today and see the guys and girls that came back, and the text messages and calls, and see the impact that he’s made on so many lives. It’s just unbelievable . . . It’s an emotional week for him, too. He apologized to the team this week for all the commotion going on around him. That’s who he is.”

Matt Griffin, former Prep All-Catholic (Class of 2007) and current head coach at Roman Catholic: “He taught me so much in my life. Speedy loves the game of basketball, but more importantly, he loves impacting people’s lives. I think that’s what keeps him going on for so long. He cares so much about people.”

Former Players & Colleagues Share Kind Words About Speedy Morris

See Interviews in above video with James McGovern (:16), Chris Clover (:53), Matt Griffin (1:50) & Marty Jackson (2:40)

Former Players & Colleagues Share Kind Words & Memories About Speedy Morris

See Interviews in above video with Lionel Simmons (:06), Jim Murray (:47) and Carl Arrigale (3:32)

Post Game Award Presentation by Zamani Feelings

Caroline Morris, granddaughter: “He’s one of my biggest role models. It’s just great to see that he’s living history. He’s extremely humble.”

Tricia Morris, daughter in law: “We’re extremely happy for him. So happy to be a part of this.”

Matt Morris, grandson: “It’s exciting. It’s just amazing to be a part of his family and to have that opportunity to witness this and meet all the great people that he brought in.”

Macie Lewanski, granddaughter: “It’s amazing how he accomplished a big goal.”

Chris Cmiel, grandson: “The first word that comes to my mind is kind. He’ll give anything just for you.”

Lionel Simmons, former LaSalle University Hall of Fame great: “Happy to be here. I’m happy to have played for him and got a lot of his tutelage and be a part of a great man, a great person, and also an outstanding coach. He deserves everything he gets.”

Carl Arrigale, former Penn Charter player under Morris and current Neumann-Goretti coach: “Great family. Great man. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. Glad to be a part of it, both by him beating me as a coach and me playing for him as a player. My two years playing for Coach was a great experience. I really enjoyed it. He made it fun.”

Steve Vasturia, all-time leading scorer in Prep history (Class of 2013) and former University of Notre Dame standout currently playing international basketball in Berlin, Germany: “It was an honor to play for Speedy for four years. He had such a positive impact on my life both on and off the court that continues today. I am lucky to call him a friend and couldn't be happier that he has achieved this amazing milestone.”

Darius Kinnel, current Prep senior who scored his 1000th point in the second quarter: “Getting this on Speedy’s special day too was a wonderful moment for me.”

Marty Jackson, former La Salle High School coach: “Speedy is a great guy, a great competitor, and a great coach but an even better person and a great family man. He’s been very good to me in my life.”

Jim Murray, former Prep athletic director who hired Speedy Morris in 2001: “We’ve become very close friends.” After an incident that involved a clock dispute many years ago, Murray received an unsolicited note from Speedy, expressing personal disappointment in his behavior on the court. “That told me then and there that this is a class person and a class guy.”

Chris Clover, former Catholic League Most Valuable Player (Prep Class of 2015) and current player at St. Joseph’s University: “He’s always been there for me off the court. He’s a great mentor. (Being a great coach) starts with having a relationship with a player. It’s getting a group of guys that like to play for you and want to play for you and play hard for you.”

James McGovern, former Prep All-Catholic, Class of 2015: “It was definitely a great experience playing for Speedy. He’s done it at all levels for both men and women. Just goes to show you that he’s one of the greats. It feels good being back. Just hoping for the best for him.”

John Griffin, former first-team All-Catholic under Morris at Roman Catholic (Class of 1974) and former successful college coach: “He’s a great teacher and a terrific role model. He was demanding. He brought out the best for us. When you think about his legacy and how it has impacted others and continues to impact others, he is truly one of the great Philadelphians of our time.”

Jim O’Brien, current assistant coach for the Philadelphia 76ers and former NBA head coach who played for Morris at Roman Catholic before graduating in 1970: “Speedy was one of the reasons I got into coaching. I was lucky to have him as a coach and mentor. He’s an iconic figure. It’s been a joy for him to be in the lives of so many people, and so many of those people are able to express gratitude toward him. It’s well deserved.”

(John Knebels can be reached at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)