Roman Grad Speedy Morris Presented With 2022 Joe Lapchick Character Award
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NEW YORK, NY - Legendary basketball coach Speedy Morris – a 1960 graduate of Roman Catholic – was one of four recipients of the prestigious Joe Lapchick Character Award as the 2022 reception was held on Sept. 16 at the New York Athletic Club. In addition to Morris, Val Ackerman, Leonard Hamilton and Rick Byrd were honored.
Morris guided La Salle University from 1986-2001 and collected 238 wins and four NCAA Tournament appearances. In the 1989-90 season, his team went 30-2 and finished 12th in the AP. Morris was the first Division I coach to coach both the men’s and women’s basketball programs at the same school. Overall, Morris compiled a 1,035-455 record in 52 seasons, including 347 victories during his 14-year tenure at Roman. He earned 366 wins at St. Joseph’s Prep before announcing his retirement following the 2019-20 school year. His teams earned eight Philadelphia Catholic League titles (two at St. Joseph's Prep, six at Roman).
He is one of the founding members of the Philly 6 Coaches vs. Cancer effort while also taking the movement with him back to the high school level. He has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for cancer research and has been a critical component to the local American Cancer Society movement.
The Joe Lapchick Character Award Foundation is committed to encouraging and promoting good character in the sport of basketball. Each September, the foundation recognizes a group of iconic basketball figures, from all levels of men’s and women’s basketball, who have demonstrated honorable character throughout their careers, much like the legendary Coach Joe Lapchick.