Matt Morris: Cougar Iron Man
5/21/2010 2:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer
When awards and honors were handed out at that Athletics Banquet in late April many student-athletes were recognized for achievements on and off the field. While no one knew who was getting what awards, who was earning what recognition, there was one honor that was obvious, and that was who was going to win the Charlie Post Award.
Dr. Charlie Post was a former CofC team physician and an avid triathlete. He was paralyzed during a cycling accident and subsequently passed away. The award, named in his memory and honor, is presented by the athletic training staff and given to a student-athlete who has demonstrated courage and perseverance despite facing various challenges and adversity.
Matt Morris, of the men's soccer team, was the clear choice by the College of Charleston training staff. The award was a long time coming for Matt, who spent great lengths of time in the training room during his six-year career.
Matt came to the College of Charleston in the fall of 2004 with two knee injuries already under his belt. It wasn't long into his freshman year he caught the injury bug again. That began a course of other injuries and subsequent treatments that saw his time spent with the training staff grow. He exhibited a strong work ethic and his positive attitude throughout all he endured showed the trainers he was someone who exemplified Dr. Post and more than deserved the award.
Many athletes would have hung up their uniforms after two or three injuries. That wasn't the case for Matt who, despite numerous injuries, continued to preserver, continued to rehab and do what it took to get back on the field. He didn't do it for any personal gains, he did it because he felt he needed to get back for his team. He was letting his team down by not being there, he felt. That is what drove him. That, and an understanding that there were so many more people that were in worse shape than he was, inlcuding his brother, who survived a terrible automobile accident and defied odds to almost fully recover. An injury every now and then wasn't going to stop Matt.
Now, after six years that saw two medical redshirt seasons, Matt will leave the College of Charleston tied for seventh in career goals with 23, after posting a team-leading seven this season alone.
More importantly though is that Matt will leave the College of Charleston a true student-athlete that defied odds stacked tremendously against him and with the attitude that earned him not only the Charlie Post Courage award, but the admiration and respect by his teammates, coaches and his trainers.
