In preparation for the tipoff of the inaugural Brad Morris Holiday Classic, Jacob Meredith of Traffic Light Sports reached out to a number of coaches and media members for their thoughts on Brad’s legacy and this new basketball event.
by Jacob Meredith, Traffic Light Sports
In the history of Pickaway County sports there are not many names that are as notable as Brad Morris. Over two decades, Brad chronicled the triumphs of athletes in Pickaway County, leaving a mark on the community.
As a tribute to his legacy, the inaugural Brad Morris Holiday Classic brings together local schools in a celebration of sportsmanship to what Brad made his life’s work. And below are some thoughts from Brad’s friends and colleagues.
Jacob Merideth, contributor to the Sporting Pumpkin and Traffic Light Sports/TV athletics writer, recalls the significant impact Brad had on his own career.
“When I was in high school and even in middle school, I would read his articles in the Circleville Herald. Everyone knew who Brad was; whether he was sitting courtside at a basketball game, sitting second row in a press box at a football game, or being the tallest person in a softball/baseball dugout by a foot and a half, you knew who Brad was.”
Merideth also notes that Brad’s mentorship played a crucial role in his development as a writer. “I messaged Brad asking him if maybe I could help him and John with the Sporting Pumpkin,” Meredith said, “and he said, ‘What do you have in mind?’ and it took off from there for me.”
Trevor Younkin, head girls basketball coach at Teays Valley, remembers Brad’s unique approach to storytelling.
“Brad’s passion towards local sports, especially within Pickaway County, was by far top-notch,” Younkin said. “Brad would always have a great outlook on each team within each sport, no matter what season or sport that was being played. He was extremely knowledgeable and saw the little things coaches would be worried about that many parents or outsiders would never know.”
Younkin praised Brad’s ability to ask the right questions after a game, regardless of the outcome, and his commitment to accuracy and fairness.
“He never wrote a negative article, even if a play or two caused the loss or if the team chemistry just wasn’t there that night. He made sure to take what we as coaches would say and change it ever so slightly to make it politically correct, helping the coach get through a tough loss,” Younkin said.
Younkin also notes that Brad’s passion for local sports only grew stronger after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Brad and John Howley created ‘The Sporting Pumpkin,’ a social media outlet that provided local sports scores, results, and articles. It quickly became a go-to source for local residents,” he said.
Younkin credits Brad’s dedication and effort for the success of The Sporting Pumpkin.
Younkin shared a personal anecdote about Brad’s commitment to accuracy and fairness. “Sometimes, Brad would call us coaches late at night to get a quick update on our game if he was unable to attend due to covering another local team. At the end of the conversation, he would always apologize for calling late. I will forever miss those late-night calls with Brad.”
Younkin praises Brad’s ability to make athletes feel special, noting that “one of the last articles Brad wrote was about my daughter Kennedy, making her commitment to East Tennessee State. He made sure she felt proud of her accomplishment.”
Younkin concludes by expressing his gratitude for the Brad Morris Holiday Classic, which he believes is a fitting tribute to Brad’s legacy. “Having this tournament is the first great step towards honoring Brad’s legacy. I know he will be watching all these games with the best seat in the gymnasium, wearing his Cincinnati Reds T-shirt. Everyone knew Brad, and everyone loved him. Brad was truly unique, and we will deeply miss his passion for local sports.”
Terry Holbert, head football coach at Logan Elm, echoes this sentiment, praising Brad’s kindness and integrity. “The two words that first come to mind are kindness and integrity,” Holbert said. “Even in the difficult years, Brad was always kind. We had many conversations aside from sports, and whether it was venting frustration from tough situations or just chatting about life, there was never a compromise if I asked him to keep something off the record. Yet, he always maintained integrity in his work and did the job well.”
Holbert noted that Brad’s love for sports and the local community was infectious.
“When you feel the passion from him and see the effort that he pours into his craft, it makes you, as a coach, want to give the best and most information as you could. He was working to bring positive coverage and publicity to our kids, which is what we as coaches should be doing as well.”
Holbert shared a heartwarming memory about Brad’s interaction with his young son, Grey. “Several years back, I had the McGaffney trophy at my house. Brad called and asked me to bring the trophy out, but I wasn’t home. So, I told my wife to have my son, who was three or four at the time, carry the trophy out and give it to Brad. Brad texted me later that evening, expressing how much he appreciated Grey bringing out the trophy, which was almost as big as him, and also how polite he was. Not only did Brad and I have some backyard conversations, but he also had one with my son.
“I will never forget his famous, ‘How ’bout them Braves!’ when he would call to interview after a big win. Wonderful memories!”
Holbert concluded by emphasizing the importance of honoring Brad’s legacy.
“We continue to honor Brad’s legacy by living as he lived, with kindness and integrity. And we continue to work as coaches, media members and communities to bring positive exposure to our young people.”
Steven Collins, a colleague of Brad’s at the Circleville Herald, reflected on his time working alongside Brad.
“I met Brad in March 2013 when I took the job as reporter for the Circleville Herald,” Collins recalls. “Brad covered sports, and initially, we didn’t see each other much. I eventually left and then returned to the paper in February 2017 and shared an office with Brad for about three years at the Herald’s current location.”
Collins shares fond memories of their late-night conversations about sports. “Sharing that space, especially on Tuesdays when I stayed late to cover city council, we’d talk sports. Like him, I was a big Reds fan, and we’d talk Reds/Bengals/Browns/Ohio State.”
Collins praised Brad’s unique approach to storytelling.
“Brad had a way of knowing everyone and remembering everything. Brad’s storytelling consistently focused on the individuals involved in the game, skillfully fusing the off-field and on-field elements to create a unique and captivating experience.”
Collins noted that Brad’s love for sports and the local community was infectious. “Brad always supported me and gave me advice on some of the more complex stories I’d be involved in. He’d always step up to help when we needed it, and his love for local sports was infectious. Being a Circleville grad, he made it easy to root for and love the other schools’ teams.”
Collins shared a heartwarming memory of how Brad would often praise his memorial pieces.
“When I was tasked with writing a memorial piece, like on Dwight Radcliff or some other prominent figure in the community, he’d always tell me how much he enjoyed them and how well I’d captured that person’s essence,” Collins said. “He’d also share with me a personal story he knew about the subject. I learned so much about the community with and through him.”
Collins concluded by emphasizing the importance of preserving Brad’s legacy.
“On many occasions when Brad and I both had to work late, I’d have trouble focusing on my work because he’d be so loud, excited and animated after a game,” Collins said. “I was enthralled with his conversations with coaches, and I loved having a behind-the-scenes pass at the framework for which he’d write his stories.”
Collins noted that even after Brad’s passing, his presence is still felt. “I shared this at his eulogy, but I’m a big guy like Brad was, and we have the same haircut. Not nearly as tall, but oftentimes I’d get mistaken for him. It even happened a couple of times after he passed. I always regarded it as a great honor, only correcting others after his passing,” Collins said. “He was a remarkable individual who deeply loved his passion and cared deeply for the people of Pickaway County and local sports.”
Cody Leist, a friend and colleague of Brad’s, reflected on his approach to sports reporting.
“As a reporter, Brad was not afraid to learn about new things because he was curious, and he wanted to make sure there was a feeling of appreciation for the athletic feats being showcased,” Leist said.
Leist noted that Brad’s willingness to learn and adapt was key to his success in covering a wide range of sports. “Being able to cover football, basketball and baseball is a minimum requirement for entering the world of sports reporting.”
Covering different sports and maintaining credibility can give you an advantage. Leist shared an example of how Brad’s curiosity and dedication to understanding the nuances of a sport led to better coverage.
“Volleyball’s evolution over the years is rapid. The number of area coaches and former athletes who took the time to talk and were willing to help Brad understand the nuances of the sport only enhanced his coverage,” Leist said. “This also led to a better understanding of the sport as an art form.”
Leist praised Brad’s ability to combine visual art and written prose to create compelling stories. “When visual art and written prose merge into a single, cohesive piece, it yields numerous tangible and intangible advantages for all stakeholders.”
Leist also reflected on Brad’s passion for sports and the local community. “With both of us being Logan Elm grads, there was a shared understanding of the history in Pickaway County,” he said. “Ignoring Franklin County for obvious reasons, but it isn’t hard to Wikipedia this area’s lore when it comes to athletic prowess and compare it to surrounding counties.”
Leist noted that Brad’s love for sports and the local community was inspiring. “As a former high school athlete who Brad covered, I remember the importance of seeing him patrolling a sideline or being in a dugout with his camera and writer’s notebook in tow.”
Leist shared a personal anecdote about the impact of Brad’s coverage on his own athletic career.
“The run I was a part of as a senior in 2006 on the LE boys basketball team was a culmination of four years that included back-to-back Mid-State League Buckeye Division crowns, multiple rankings in the state Associated Press poll, and ending a four-decade district championship drought in which the school was not even 10 years into its existence with that advancement into the tournament.”
Leist praised Brad’s ability to chronicle the achievements of local athletes.
“Brad was there for nearly all of it. I am not sure if someone else in his place would’ve been able to chronicle it better,” Leist said. “It just takes someone who can understand everything to be able to take on what he did.”
Leist concluded by emphasizing the importance of continuing Brad’s legacy.
“Whether you are a student, a parent or a resident who is a fan of a school, there are plenty of behind-the-scenes roles that make a massive impact for legacy and help area media members,” Leist said. “With the rapid advancements in technology, it is becoming increasingly common for each athletic program to have its own dedicated media arm. You can use it for livestreaming games, updating live stats online, serving as a team historian, or any other activity that enhances the overall experience.”
Dan Ramey of Litter Media reflected on his experience getting to know Brad Morris in the latter years of his life.
“I didn’t really get to know Brad until the last few years of his life,” Ramey said. “During my radio days, we didn’t have much time to interact. I’d seen this hulk-sized human when Chillicothe would face Logan Elm or Circleville and wondered who he was. I knew he worked for The Herald, but that was about it. Once our broadcasts were completed, most everyone had already left the gym or field, and we didn’t get much time to do more than give each other a wave.”
Ramey noted that it wasn’t until he began working with Litter Media that he had the opportunity to get to know Brad on a deeper level.
“When Litter Media began, my new responsibilities placed me closer to the action, with a video camera in my hand and fewer opportunities with a microphone in front of my face.” Ramey said. “That’s when I got to know the Brad Morris people loved.”
Ramey was struck by Brad’s kind heart and his passion for the community.
“I found that hulk-sized presence had an even bigger heart for his fellow man. Boy, did he love his community,” Ramey said.
Ramey praised Brad’s unique approach to storytelling, noting that he had a way of making readers feel like they were part of the team.
“You could sense the passion through his writing… the respect he paid to the sports he covered and those who played and coached them” Ramey said. “He shared the facts but also added the intangibles of what happened, taking his readers deeper, as if they were part of the teams he covered.”
Ramey concludes by emphasizing the significance of Brad’s legacy. “It’ll be a long time before there’s another like Brad Morris.”
John Howley of The Sporting Pumpkin shared his thoughts on the inaugural Brad Morris Holiday Classic, noting that Brad would be thrilled to see local schools coming together over the holiday break. “I think Brad would be excited to see these schools coming together over the holiday break,” Howley said. “Holiday tournaments can be a lot of fun, but it means a little more when the schools all know each other and have those natural rivalries.”
Howley emphasized the significance of honoring Brad’s memory through this event. “Honoring Brad’s memory with this inaugural holiday classic is a great testament to what he meant to the community.”
Howley’s sentiment is echoed by many in the community, who remember Brad’s tireless dedication to covering local sports and his passion for showcasing the achievements of young athletes.
The Brad Morris Holiday Classic is being held December 27 and 28, with Circleville, Logan Elm Teays Valley and Westfall all competing at Westfall this first day and Logan Elm the second.
As the schools gather to compete and celebrate, they will honor the memory of a man who dedicated his life to telling their stories and sharing their triumphs. Brad Morris may be gone, but his legacy will continue to inspire and uplift the community he loved.