Frank Morris
Frank Morris was born on March 22, 1963, the youngest of the 10 children of Howard and Gwen Morris, and raised on their 4th of Kenyon farm. Blessed with natural athletic ability, his intense competitive spirit and determination would prove to be an asset on his minor hockey teams as well as in his teen years when he was part of the Alexandria Jr. B Glens teams in the late 1970s and early 1980s, earning team MVP honours in 1981.
As a teen he would use his skill and speed to earn the Glengarry Soccer League Rookie of the Year award playing with his brothers and mentor Brian Filion for Greenfield men’s team. He was a key member of several GSL Championship teams.
In addition Frank contributed to the league in a variety of capacities earning the Louis Shepherd Award for his efforts. He was also a leading member of many of the Glengarry District High School Gaels sports teams. The Alexandria Lions Club awarded Morris the James McCaffrey Award as Glengarry’s outstanding athlete and later the Vern DeGeer award given to Canada’s outstanding athlete with Glengarry ties.
In the fall of 1982, Frank followed family tradition entering Concordia University (Loyola Campus) in Montreal where he earned a spot on legendary coach Paul Arsenault’s Varsity Men’s Hockey Team. In his first two years the team advanced to the national final championship. Morris’ efforts caught the eye of Olympic team coach Dave King earning him a Hockey Canada scholarship. During his Concordia years he was recognized for his grit and determination winning the Father Cass Memorial Award as the team’s most inspirational player three times, was appointed team captain, and was named team MVP in 1986.
In the fall of 1987, following his University hockey career Morris attended the Winnipeg Jets training camp playing briefly in the AHL for Moncton before heading to Scotland.
In his first year in Scotland playing for the Ayr Bruins, Morris went to the Championship of British Ice hockey. Except for a year in England, Frank played his entire 16 year career in Scotland. His years with the historic Fife Flyers cemented his legend in British Ice Hockey as he served as team captain, leading his team to several national championships. “Captain Fantastic” as he was called amassed well over 1000 points in his career and was fêted with a testimonial in his honour in 2003 by the Fife Flyers. His jersey, # 47, was retired at the ceremony, a tribute shared with only 2 other players in their 50 year history.
On two occasions, 1994 and 1995, Morris played for Great Britain in the IIIHF world championships where he played against both Team Canada and Russia. In the summer of 1996, Frank also played for the St. Louis Vipers in the North American Professional Roller hockey league.
Cycling, initially began as a form of cross training has become Frank’s latest passion. Competing in races in the Scottish Cycling association has advanced his skills in a sport that he now loves as a means of satisfying his undying competitive spirit. Training and competing in 100 mile races is part of his life these days. In his early cycling days he organized and participated in a 2 week 984 mile cycling trip from John O’ Groats to Land’s End, a trip he has done 4 times now, helping to raise over £20,000 for the Children’s Hospice of Britain. His efforts and his knowledge of cycling tactics have earned him the respect of the entire Scottish Cycling community.
Frank has two boys, Liam and Conor, both of whom compete in various sports but favour ice hockey. Coaching his boys, carrying out his duties as a primary school teacher and cycling keep him busy these days, but he does find time in the summer to return to Glengarry to visit and spend time with friends and family.
As an inductee into the Sports Hall of Fame, Frank joins both his mother and his older brother Donnie who were inducted in 2000 and 2005 respectively.
