Morrison announces his retirement
Olivet College Head Men’s Golf Coach Gary Morrison has announced his decision to retire. His retirement is effective July 1, 2010, and Kevin Allard will take over head coaching duties.
Olivet College Head Men's Golf Coach Gary Morrison has announced his decision to retire. His retirement is effective July 1, 2010, and Kevin Allard will take over head coaching duties.
"Olivet College will not be the same without the dean of its coaching staff," said Athletic Director Dominic Livedoti. "His records, championships and total achievements cannot outweigh the number of young men Coach Mo has touched."
A permanent fixture at Olivet for more than 40 years, Morrison has spent the last 35 years as head men's golf coach. During his tenure, the Comets won 17 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) championships and competed at eight National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) National Championships. Morrison leaves his mark as the winningest golf coach in MIAA history. In addition, he coached six NCAA All-Americans and nine Scholar All-Americans.
Morrison arrived on the Olivet campus in September 1967 to serve as head men's basketball coach and physical education professor. After the 1996-97 season, he retired from coaching basketball. During his 30-year career on the basketball sidelines, Morrison coached three MIAA championship teams and recorded 294 wins. He also served as the Comets' head baseball coach from 1971-86, compiling 166 wins and an MIAA championship in 1981. With his 21 total conference titles, Morrison is one of 10 coaches in MIAA history to win more than 20 championships.
Morrison graduated from Kalamazoo College in 1957, where he was an All-MIAA performer in three sports. He earned a master's degree from Western Michigan University in 1965.
"Working at Olivet has been a great experience," said Morrison. "Over the years, I had several opportunities to leave but chose to stay. I truly enjoyed the chance to coach real student-athletes in a Division III setting. I am going to miss coaching, but it's time to retire."
Morrison resides in Olivet with wife, Judy. They have four children, Scott '82, Randy '85, Gary ex'87 and Heather '93, as well as 11 grandchildren.
Allard, a 1981 graduate of Olivet, has served as Morrison's assistant coach for the last five years.
"The Morrison era has been a great one," said Olivet President Donald L. Tuski, Ph.D. "Many people will miss his daily presence and championship teams. Like many alumni, I was introduced to Olivet by Coach Morrison and want to thank him for recruiting me."