‘Voice of the Bears’ John Morris honored with national award for distinguished career
In 1995, John Morris (BA ’80) succeeded the legendary Frank Fallon (’53) handling radio play-by-play duties for BU football and other sports. Fallon had been the “Voice of the Bears” for more than 40 years, from 1953-95; Morris has now filled that same role for almost 30 years, calling everything from RG3’s Heisman run to the 2021 Baylor men’s basketball national title.
The two broadcasters now have something else in common. This month, Morris joined Fallon as a recipient of the NFF Chris Schenkel Award, awarded by the National Football Foundation to individuals for long, distinguished careers broadcasting college football with direct ties to a specific university or platform. (Fallon was similarly honored in 2001; Baylor is now the only school with two Schenkel award recipients.)
“John Morris has had an astounding run at Baylor, connecting with fans and engaging them with his positive insights for nearly four decades,” says NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell (previously the Big 12’s founding commissioner). “Universally respected among sports broadcasters as one of the best in the business, he is often praised for being an even better person. We are extremely pleased to name him the 2024 recipient of the NFF Chris Schenkel Award.”
The Texas Bowl on New Year’s Eve will be Morris’ 442nd consecutive game behind the microphone, a streak that includes three conference titles (2013, 2014, 2021) and, soon, 15 bowl games. But even his exceptional dependability and skills in the booth pale in comparison to his character; you won’t find a better representative of Baylor University than John Morris.
Sic ’em, J-Mo!