Laird Morris

Laird Morris
Morris passes back from a scrum during the 1912 match against Australia
Full nameLaird Monterey Morris
Date of birth(1889-10-09)October 9, 1889
Place of birthCalifornia
Date of deathAugust 19, 1954(1954-08-19) (aged 64)
Place of deathSan Francisco, California
Height5 ft 7.5 in (1.71 m)[1]
Weight150 lb (68 kg; 10 st 10 lb)[1]
UniversityUniversity of California
Rugby union career
Position(s) Scrum-half
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1910–1912 University of California ()
Correct as of November 5, 2018
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1910–1912 United States 1 (0)
Correct as of November 5, 2018

A group of 21 young men arranged in two rows—twelve standing in back and nine seated in front—in rugby uniform: dark colored sweaters emblazoned with vertically-striped shields, black belts, light colored shorts, and light colored knee-length socks.
Morris with the US team in 1912 (pictured front row, fifth from left)

Laird Monterey "Monte" Morris (October 9, 1889 – August 19, 1954) was an American rugby union player who played at scrum-half for the United States men's national team in its first capped match in 1912.

Biography

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Morris was born on October 9, 1889, in California.[2] He was the son of Henry Bishop Morris and Mary Kathryn Morris (born Baker).[3]

Morris attended the University of California, where in 1910 he earned a place on the varsity rugby team.[4] In 1911, Morris was late to return to the university,[5] but eventually did so and rejoined the rugby team.[6] During the 1912 season, Morris saw his playing time reduced as the coaching staff attempted to develop other players to play his position,[7] although he remained the best player at that position on the university team.[8] At the end of the 1912 season, on November 16, 1912, Morris played for the United States team at scrum-half in its first capped match—a 12–8 loss to Australia.[9] Morris served as the team's captain for this match.[10]

In 1913, Morris did not return to the University of California rugby team.[11] Over the course of his collegiate rugby career, Morris was described as "one of the grittiest halves that ever trailed a scrum,"[11] and as a member of "one of the most brilliant [back field] combinations ever seen on the Coast."[12] As a member of the class of 1913, Morris was a member of the Winged Helmet and Golden Bear honor societies at the University of California.[13][14] Morris died on August 19, 1954, in San Francisco, California.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Men Who Will Compose Blue and Gold Varsity Team on Sunday". The San Francisco Call. Vol. CVIII, no. 162. November 9, 1910. p. 10. Retrieved November 5, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b "Laird Morris". espn.co.uk. ESPN. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  3. ^ "Laird Monterey Morris". The Rugby History Society. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  4. ^ Johnson, Elliot (November 7, 1910). "California Camp is Confident of Victory". The San Francisco Chronicle. Vol. XCVII, no. 116. p. 10. Retrieved November 5, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Rugby Absentees Cause of Much Worry". The San Francisco Call. Vol. CX, no. 90. Berkeley, California. August 28, 1911. p. 11. Retrieved November 6, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Morris Returns to Berkeley Job". The San Francisco Call. Vol. CX, no. 91. Berkeley, California. August 29, 1911. p. 10. Retrieved November 6, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ Erskine, Douglas (September 26, 1912). "Games with Clubmen Give Line on Material". The San Francisco Examiner. Vol. XCVII, no. 88. p. 11. Retrieved November 6, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "California Rugby Fifteen to Meet Barbs To-Day". The San Francisco Examiner. Vol. XCVII, no. 111. October 19, 1912. p. 13. Retrieved November 6, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Australia Tour - Berkeley, 16 November 1912". espn.co.uk. ESPN. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  10. ^ 1914 Blue & Gold, p. 145. "California was represented on the team by five players, one of whom, "Monte" Morris, the veteran half-back, was captain."
  11. ^ a b BOBS. (August 24, 1913). "California Must Depend on New Rugby Material". The San Francisco Chronicle. Vol. CIII, no. 40. p. 61. Retrieved November 6, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ BOBS. (December 14, 1917). "California Loses Popular Manager". The San Francisco Chronicle. Vol. CXI, no. 152. p. 10. Retrieved November 6, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ The 1913 Blue & Gold of the University of California: Being a Record of the College Year Published by the Junior Class in the Year 1912. University of California, Berkeley. 1912. p. 429.
  14. ^ 1914 Blue & Gold, pp. 322–323.

Notes

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