2012 City Spirit Award Recipient Recognized

With a collegiate coaching career that lasted just over 30 years, Morrison is no stranger to what it takes to be a team player or to coach others to greatness since he was a personal coach/consultant to Shaquille O’Neal. He now inspires all who are fortunate enough to come in contact with him. Every year the City Council pays homage to a Riverside resident who demonstrates a passion for enhancing the quality of life through his or her unique actions and unselfish community spirit in the City of Riverside. Tuesday, June 11, Stan Morrison was recognized by the Riverside City Council with the 2012 City Spirit Award at City Hall. His commitment to the community through his service and participation embodies these characteristics, setting him apart from thousands of other individuals. When asked how he felt about receiving this award, Morrison responded, “First off, the Riverside City Spirit Award is humbling…to receive this award, particularly when I see the names of so many highly respected people who received it before me. Suffice it to say, for me it is about finding a way to help others in need, when they need help, so they can lead a happier and more productive life here in this wonderful city of Riverside, California. Nothing more and nothing less.” Morrison is a retired college basketball coach, athlete and athletic director. A UC Berkeley Alum, Morrison graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Physical Education. Upon graduating, Morrison traveled overseas where he helped the Real Madrid team to the European Cup finals in 1961. For his performance, he was recognized as a European All-Star. Morrison began his coaching career as head coach for the Pacific Tigers from 1972 to 1979. From there he moved to the USC Trojans from 1979 to 1986 and the San Jose State Spartans from 1989 to 1998. He proved to be one of the best as he went on to be named conference coach of the year at both Pacific and USC. In 1986, Morrison was appointed athletic director at UC Santa Barbara to help lead their 21-sport athletic program. In 1999, he joined the UCR athletics program as Athletic Director, where he worked for 12 years and helped to guide UCR in their transition to Division I sports. In addition to coaching Division I teams, Morrison worked as a sports broadcaster for FOX Sports, Comcast Television and BAY-TV. In 2006, the NCAA Men’s Basketball Committee appointed Morrison to assist their 10-member committee for a 5-year term. Charmidale Tuazon, Development Officer for La Sierra University Athletics Advisory Board, says, “Stan Morrison has inspired so many people from his effective motivational speeches to his willingness to help without hesitation. Whenever the Athletics department needs the best advice, we turn to Stan Morrison. He has been a wonderful mentor to me as a development officer and to the whole Athletics team. Stan has the ability to lead with great optimism and with realistic and achievable outcomes. The moment he stepped into our Advisory Board, he took up his role willingly and got right down to business.” It appears that people gravitate to Morrison based on his willingness and determination alone. Joe Daniszewski, Scout Executive/CEP for Boy Scouts of America, adds, “Our Executive Board has grown not only in numbers but in the high quality of our new Board Members. Every meeting of the Executive Board and Council that Stan attends is better because of his presence. His passion and concern are so evident in all he does.” Morrison takes his involvement a step further, reaching out not only to people, but animals as well. Denise Perry, Executive Director of the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center explains that Morrison has been a dedicated board member for the Pet Adoption Center since 2002. As an active member of the community, Morrison also occupies numerous other positions. He is the president of the board of trustees for Olive Crest, a member of the executive board of the Inland Empire Boy Scouts of America, member of the board of directors of the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center, member of the board of directors of the Riverside Humane Society, member of the board of ARC Riverside, a board member for The Unforgettables Foundation, the Chairman of the La Sierra University Athletics Advisory Board, and he serves as a Champion for Riverside’s Strategic Vision “Seizing Our Destiny” to name a few. Morrison has also served as Chairman of the Board for High Five America and event chair for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society “Light the Night” event on the UCR campus. Morrison has received accolades from many of his fellow board members, all of whom believe Morrison is more than deserving of this award. Tim Evans of The Unforgettables Foundation shared, “Stan is a great board member, we are blessed to have him, he [Stan] has been involved for many years giving his new years eve to the organization year after year.” Jim Stream, Executive Director of the Arc of Riverside County, said, “Whenever Morrison takes on a cause or a project, he is ‘all in’ and those around him get energized and excited and suddenly the seemingly impossible becomes possible. He has that effect on those who have the pleasure of working with him. There cannot be a more deserving Riverside citizen of the 2012 City Spirit Award.” Riverside City Council has been honoring Riverside residents since 1995. Past City Spirit Award recipients include: Dickey DeLoss (1995), Rich Biber (1996), Michael Goldware (1997), Rose Mayes (1998), Rita Norton (1999), Vic Miceli (2000), Daniel Hantman (2001), William F. Gavitt (2002), Dell Roberts (2003), Brigadier General Stan Brown (2004), Dr. James H. Erickson (2005), Natividad Fuentes (2006), Damon Castillo (2007), Sam Huang (2008), Cindy Roth (2009), Kathy Allavie (2010), and Jane Block (2011).