Morris Steps Down as Ohio Field Hockey Coach

Six-Year Veteran to Pursue Opportunities Outside of Coaching

Contact: Jim Stephan

12/9/2004

Shelly Morris is leaving Ohio after six seasons as head field hockey coach.

ATHENS, Ohio – Shelly Morris, Ohio’s head field hockey coach for the last six seasons, has resigned her position to pursue other opportunities, Senior Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator Amy Dean announced today. Morris holds a career record of 79-64 with the Bobcats.

Morris led Ohio to its best season ever in 2001, guiding the Bobcats to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in school history after winning the MAC crown for the first time since 1987. The 16 victories that year were the Bobcats’ most since 1982 (20) and they were ranked in the nation’s Top 25 for the final nine weeks of the season, finishing ninth in the NFHCA poll and 13th on the NCAA charts.

Morris guided Ohio to three other title game appearances, finishing as runner-up in 2000, 2002 and 2003. Previously, the Bobcats had not reached the MAC Championship game in 13 years.

Under Morris’ tutelage, the program has produced two NFHCA All-Americans, 10 West Regional All-Americans, 17 All-MAC honorees, a conference player of the year and 11 All-MAC Tournament selections.

“I have decided to leave Ohio to pursue other career interests,” Morris said Wednesday night after telling members of her team. “It was a difficult decision, but I have been in Athens for seven and a half years and I am personally and professionally ready for a change. I truly enjoyed being a part of this program and the camaraderie of the other coaches. The atmosphere of the University and the community has touched my life in many ways and I am very, very thankful for my experience here. I will always remain a Bobcat fan.”

Before being named head coach at Ohio, Morris spent two seasons with the Bobcats as an assistant to long-time head coach Mary Milne and was head coach at Simmons College (Boston) in 1996.

Prior to coaching at Simmons, Morris was a player and coach at Northeastern University in Boston. The 1994 graduate was a Northeast Regional All-American in 1992 and was an America East All-Conference selection from 1991-92. Morris captained the Huskies her senior year. She helped Northeastern qualify for the NCAA tournament during each of her four seasons and saw the Huskies advance to the Final Four during her second year as an assistant coach in 1995.

In one year at Simmons, Morris turned a struggling program around. She coached the team to a 12-3 finish, which earned her a berth in the Division III MAIAW Tournament. Morris also served as a head coach for the United States Field Hockey Futures Program from 1994-1999.

“Coach Morris has done a tremendous job with the Ohio Field Hockey program,” said Dean, who has administrative oversight for the program. “Her dedication, energy, and commitment to her student-athletes have established a firm foundation for the future success of this program. We are grateful for her hard work and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.”

A search for a new coach will begin immediately.