(story and photos compliments of Mike Hutchens)
Charles Morris’ fingerprints are all over the Hillcrest football program.
It’s only fitting that the middle school field will now bear his name.
Hillcrest and Obion County Schools officials dubbed the on-campus Cougar turf ‘Charles Morris Field’ Thursday night, formally cementing the legacy and dedication of Obion County’s winningest middle school football coach to the school.
A smiling Morris was greeted by legions of family, friends, and former players at a reception after Hillcrest played a pair of basketball games against Black Oak. His wife of 61 years, Martha, son Tim, and daughter Tracey (Malone) were among the many in attendance to commemorate the occasion.
“It’s an honor,” the now 81-year-old Morris said before receiving numerous well-wishes and appreciation from a large crowd on Thursday night. “I can remember when they were first building the field, I took my tractor and disc over there and sewed some seed.”
Morris, who also was an administrator, first coached for 20 seasons at Troy Jr. High from 1967-86 before a new school was built just down the road and opened under the Hillcrest name in 1987.
Combined, he posted a 162-85 record with 10 Obion County School System championships, building rivalries against other county coaches like J.W. Shelton at Dixie, Clint Edmaiston at Hornbeak, and then Black Oak, and Mike Haynes at Rives and Lake Road.
“Ole J.W. (Shelton)… he and I had some real slobber-knockers,” smiled Morris, who retired from the education/coaching profession in 2005.
Current Hillcrest assistant principal Maria Matheny, whose husband Waylon played for Morris and admittedly often hears stories of the memories made between the two, got the ball rolling in naming the field in Morris’ honor.
“I first met Mr. Morris when I started student teaching at Hillcrest in 2003,” Maria recalled. “He welcomed me to Hillcrest, supported me through my placement, and assured me that one day I would want to call Hillcrest home.
“After twenty years of teaching math in Obion County, and as I have transitioned into administration at Hillcrest, I now call Hillcrest home – just like Mr. Morris said I would. I have enjoyed listening to the stories of Mr. Morris from his coaching and administration days from former students and colleagues in the community.
“Back in the fall, I started thinking about how Mr. Morris could be honored. With the support of others in the community, a petition was submitted to the school board requesting consideration of the field being named after Mr. Morris.
Hillcrest now gets the pleasure of recognizing the remarkable contributions and lasting legacy of Charles Morris through the dedication of our football field. Charles Morris Field will serve as a symbol of his commitment, passion, and dedication to the sport, school, and community.”
For Morris, the honor will fit perfectly with the fond memories made of teams and student-athletes along his education/coaching journey.
“It makes me feel good (to see kids who played for me) out and about, but their beards fool me sometimes,” he laughed. “I don’t always remember their names right off, but I remember their faces – without the beards.”
Thanks to the efforts of Matheny and others, Morris’ name will always be remembered at Hillcrest.
