City of Philadelphia - File #: 230725

• File #: 230725
• Version: 0
• Type: Resolution
• Status: ADOPTED
• File created: 10/19/2023
• In control: CITY COUNCIL
• Final action: 10/26/2023
• Title: 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.
• Sponsors: Councilmember Jones, Councilmember Bass, Councilmember Driscoll, Councilmember O'Neill, Councilmember Squilla, Councilmember Gauthier, Councilmember Gilmore Richardson, Councilmember Lozada, Councilmember Harrity, Councilmember Vaughn, Councilmember Phillips, Councilmember Thomas

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
10/26/2023	0	CITY COUNCIL	ADOPTED
10/19/2023	0	CITY COUNCIL	Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar

Title
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.

Body
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 las...