Chicago Storm Names Former Illinois High School Player of the Year as Head Coach
Published on August 31, 2006 under Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Chicago Storm News Release
CHICAGO, IL - The Chicago Storm and Chief Operating Officer/GM Brian Loftin are proud to name Steve Morris as the teams' new Head Coach. The 38 year old becomes the second coach in franchise history, with a contract running through the conclusion of the 2008-09 season. In accordance with club policy, terms of the contract will not be released.
"Our goal was to find an individual who possessed a solid knowledge of the current indoor game and its players, good connections to Colleges and Universities, understanding of the Camp business, and a solid business background," said Brian Loftin. "In Steve we found all of these areas. His desire to take this position and build it along with the franchise made it the right decision. The fact that Steve has ties to the Chicago market is an added bonus."
"I'm thrilled and honored to join the Chicago Storm in a market with such a rich soccer tradition," said Morris. "I look forward to building a strong and well respected team both on and off the field, with the ultimate goal of bringing Indoor Soccer Championships to the Chicago Area. I am eager for the challenge, and look forward to becoming a part of the greater Chicago area soccer family once again."
Morris comes to the Storm with 16 years of indoor experience; winning three championships as a player and one as an assistant coach. He started as an assistant coach in 2003 with the Milwaukee Wave United of the USL (United Soccer League) before joining the Milwaukee Wave of the MISL as an assistant coach to Keith Tozer in the 2003-04 season. After retiring Steve spent four years as the General Manager of the Brookfield Indoor Soccer Complex in Brookfield, Wisconsin before joinging the development team of the Milwaukee Indoor Soccer Complex as the Director of Operations.
As a player, the Syracuse graduate began with a brief stint with the Doncaster Rovers in England. Steve then joined the Hamilton Steelers of the Canadian Soccer League before beginning his indoor career with the Wichita Wings of the MISL (Major Indoor Soccer League) where he was named the 1991 "Newcomer of the Year." The very next season, Morris went to the Milwaukee Wave, where he is still ranked in the top ten in Wave history in every category including Games Played (325), Goals Scored (190), Points (590), Assists (230) and Blocks (271). During his time as a player he was involved in the Milwaukee Wave Summer Camp program from its inception and he remained involved for the next 11 years.
A native of Glasgow, Scotland, Steve spent some time in Canada before attending Evanston Township High School, in Evanston, Illinois. As a senior he was named the 1986 Illinois High School Soccer Player of the Year, the Chicago Sun-times Player of the Year as well as the Pioneer Press Player of the Year. In 1997, Morris was inducted to the Evanston Township High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
Upon graduation, he attended Syracuse where he lettered four times, was named to the all-Region team three times, became the 1989 Big East Northern Division Player of the year and the 1990 Big East Offensive Player of the Year. He is still Syracuse's all-time leading scorer with 129 points.
The Chicago Storm is a member of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL). Chicago's professional indoor soccer team, plays its' home games at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates. Season tickets are available! Storm offices are located at 1945 Cornell Ave., in Melrose Park. For additional information on all aspects of Chicago Storm soccer including season tickets, group outings, birthday parties and Chicago Storm Summer Soccer Camps call (224) 653-GOAL (4625).
Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from August 31, 2006
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
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