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Also naming the 4200 Block of Houghton Street as “William “Speedy” Morris Way” to honor the legendary and impactful coaching of William “Speedy” Morris a lifelong resident of the Roxborough neighborhood of Philadelphia.
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WHEREAS, William “Speedy” Morris was born on April 26, 1942 in Philadelphia. His career in coaching basketball has impacted the lives of his players, family, friends, and community members. He instilled values of academia, discipline, and integrity into the hearts and minds of everyone he had the opportunity to coach; and
WHERREAS, His dedicated career began as a volunteer position coaching basketball for St. John the Baptist’s Catholic Youth Organization’s Varsity Basketball team, which led to his lasting impact and notoriety in the Philadelphia basketball community for generations to come; and
WHEREAS, Speedy Morris has coached basketball throughout the City of Philadelphia. William Morris has posted 904 victories in 44 seasons of coaching in the Philadelphia area. He began his coaching career at St. John’s in 1959, and from there he went on to Roman Catholic High School coaching 27 seasons. He has also spent time coaching at William Penn Charter, and the St. Joseph’s Preparatory High School; and
WHEREAS, William “Speedy” Morris was head coach of the La Salle University men's team from 1986 to 2001, where he led the Explorers to four NCAA tournament appearances. He led the team to a record 238 wins, the most in the school's history. He was the first Division I coach to lead both the men's and women's program. During his time at La Salle he coached future NBA players Lionel Simmons, Miles Overton, Randy Woods, Tim Legler, and Rasual Butler; and
WHEREAS, With his ample accomplishments, Coach Morris holds the distinction of being the most successful coach in the 93-year history of the Philadelphia Catholic League (PCL), as well as in Philadelphia high school boys' history (623-169); and
WHEREAS, In addition to his time and lasting impact as a basketball coach, he remained a strong community leader. He served as an adult leader on more than a dozen Kairos retreats and attended nearly every Cape and Sword Drama Society performance. Coach Morris has spoken at hundreds of Communion Breakfasts, CYO banquets, and sports camps. He remains a figurehead in the City of Philadelphia as not just a coach, but a role model; and
WHEREAS, Coach Morris has not only obtained 1,024 wins and 443 losses and 14 league and conference championships throughout his career but has remained a figure in the success of multiple Philadelphia basketball teams. He has led every team with the same passion and heart, impacting the lives of every young man and woman he inspired; and
WHEREAS, Coach Morris has earned numerous personal achievements and recognitions. Including admission to 11 Halls of Fame, which include the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame and the Big Five Hall of Fame. He has also received honors from La Salle University, Roman Catholic, the Atlantic 10 Conference, and the Basketball Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, By recognizing William “Speedy” Morris with a street renaming, Philadelphia recognizes the legacy that spans truly beyond sports. Speedy embodies the ability to lead, the ability to demonstrate grace both in winning and defeat, and the ability to be the person his players can look to inside and outside the gym. It also serves as a stanch recognition of the role model he is to the future athletes of Philadelphia basketball; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby also names the 4200 Block of Houghton Street as “William “Speedy” Morris Way” to honor the legendary and impactful coaching of William “Speedy” Morris a lifelong resident of the Roxborough neighborhood of Philadelphia.
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