view raw text
John Morriss Named New Director of Drake Relays DES MOINES, Iowa, June 2 UP . — John W. Morriss, assistant athletic director at Michigan State College, has been named Drake Relays director, it was announced today. He succeeds Tom Deckard, who resigned after holding the post since Jan. 1, 1948. Drake athletic director Jack McClelland said Morriss would take over as relays director and track coach at Drake University July 1. Morriss, 46, was an outstanding hurdler and athlete at Southwestern Louisiana Institute in the late 1920s. He coached track at the University of Arkansas two years before taking the Michigan State position in 1952. During World War II. he was in charge of track at the Navy pre-flight schools at Iowa City and North Carolina University. Prior to his Navy duty, Morriss was track coach and assistant in football for six years at North Carolina University. He compiled a brilliant athletic record at Southwestern Louisiana lettering in football, basketball and track. He later was National AAU senior and junior hurdles champion and was an alternate on the 1932 Olympic team. He toured Europe with an American track team and at different times held world indoor and outdoor hurdles records.
