Aug. 18, 2009

PHILADELPHIA - William "Speedy" Morris, the winningest coach in La Salle men's basketball history, will be inducted into the Philadelphia Big 5 Hall of Fame, it was announced today. He will join Temple's John Chaney and Villanova's Rollie Massimino in the 2010 class, which will be formally recognized in a ceremony in conjunction with the Big 5's 55th anniversary this season.

"It is a huge honor," Morris said. "La Salle gave me an opportunity to be a head coach at the collegiate level. I have many fond memories and coached a lot of great players. I enjoyed my stay at La Salle very much."

Morris spent 15 seasons as the head men's basketball coach of the Explorers (1986-01), compiling a school-record 238 wins. His teams reached the postseason six times, including four NCAA appearances, and won four MAAC Championships.

His best season came in 1989-90, when he and National Player of the Year Lionel Simmons led La Salle to a 30-2 record and a #12 ranking in the final Associated Press poll. The Explorers won 22 straight games that season and defeated Fordham, 71-61, to win its third straight MAAC title.

Morris guided La Salle to the NIT finals during his first season in 1987, beginning a stretch of six straight postseason berths.

He began his collegiate coaching career as the women's basketball coach at La Salle (1984-86), compiling a 43-17 record in two seasons. The Explorers won the MAAC Championship and reached the NCAA Tournament in 1986 after a 21-9 mark.

Morris, who is currently the head boys' basketball coach at St. Joseph's Prep, has also served as a high school coach at Penn Charter and Roman Catholic.