The opening lines of Boston University's
mission statement read that the school is "committed to educating students to
be reflective, resourceful individuals ready to live, adapt and lead in an
interconnected world."
There are few on campus who embody the values of the ideal student
that the school hopes to develop more than Tyler Morris of the men's basketball
team. A fifth-year senior, he has battled several injuries during his tenure but
has remained focused on overcoming the obstacles in his life to remain a
valuable contributor for the Terriers his final season while maintaining excellence
in the classroom as a business administration and management major.
A 6-2 guard from Indianapolis, he joined the Terriers prior
to the 2005-06 season with a great basketball background, having played
alongside current NBA stars Greg Oden and Mike Conley Jr. along with multiple
other Division I recruits at Lawrence North High School.
Though an ankle injury derailed his first season before it
even began, he came back the following year to earn 2007 America East Rookie of
the Year honors along with a spot on the All-Conference Second Team by
averaging 13.4 points per game while shooting 46.9 percent from the 3-point
line and adding 2.4 assists per game.
Injuries, however, would remain a part of his life, forcing him
to miss 12 games his sophomore year. When he began to regain his form as a
junior prior to the start of the conference schedule, he tore his ACL during a
practice. Suffering his third serious setback in four years, he remained
resolute though in rehabbing and returning better than ever.
In the season-opening game at Iona in November, he showed
that hard work pays off, as he scored 21 points off three three-pointers and an
8-for-10 performance at the free throw line. Helping him in the offseason was
first-year head coach Patrick Chambers, who was impressed with Morris' work
ethic and determination.
"He is the heart and soul of the team," Chambers said of
Morris. "Nobody plays harder, nobody wants to win, nobody wants to have a
successful program, nobody believes in what we're doing more than him.
"He shows a lot of resiliency," he added. "His character is
off the charts. Bouncing back from all these injuries, so much adversity - that
kid's going to be a superstar no matter what he does. He's going to be very
successful in life. To go through the pitfalls of what he's been through and to
bounce back every time, it shows he's got a lot of heart."
Coming from a state where basketball is king, Morris has a
passion for the sport and wants to continue playing after graduation. Don't
believe though that while dealing with his injuries that he just focused his
time in the training room.
Unlike professional athletes, he had to adapt to his
situation and remain driven in returning to the court while still maintaining a
high level of success in the classroom.
"Academics have always been very important to me and my
family," Morris said. "Going to a great institution like Boston University
has always been a pleasure because of the diversity of the student body and the
number of things to do. I've really enjoyed coming here and am grateful for the
opportunity."
Previously named to the America East All-Academic Team and
the league's honor roll, he also appreciates his professors for keeping him on
task and making sure he learned to be resourceful as the University's mission
statement promised.
"Our school is very demanding, especially with what the
professors expect of us," he explained. "They keep us on the same playing field
as the other students. The time we have to put into practice, traveling and the
games makes it more difficult to keep with the assignments. It's a juggling act
for sure, but if you stay focused on what you have to do, it's just like
anything else. You just have to put the work in.
"The injuries have certainly made it tougher, but you can't
let any one thing be a crutch or an excuse," he added. "You have to take what
life hands you and try to make the best of it. I'm a perfectionist at heart, so
whether I'm on or off the court. I just try to do everything to the best of my
ability no matter what it is."
That drive to succeed and staying on course no matter the
obstacles he faces comes from his father.
"He told me that if you do the best you can, that's all you
can do. The rest is out of your control," he explained. "That's the attitude I
try to take to everything."
Once his basketball career comes to an end, Morris will
move his talents over to the business world and work in either investment banking
or financial advisement. When he first started college, he didn't know what
direction he would go in, but he quickly realized his personality and interests
gelled perfectly with economics.
"The financial aspect of the business world is more interesting
because of the competitiveness of financial markets and jobs," Morris said. "All
of that appeals to me because I'm an athlete and am a competitive person."
Now whether next year he's hitting a layup or researching
stocks, one thing is for sure and that is Morris will not be silent around his
colleagues. A three-time team captain with the Terriers, he has always been a
vocal leader and relishes the role that has been given to him by his teammates
and coaches.
"I love, not being the boss of people, but rather being the
guy that others look to in times of turmoil," he explained. "I like trying to
be the model teammate and the model example of what our coach wants our team to
be. I like having the role, and it hasn't been a burden on me at all.
"It's not about having a title," he added. "It's about
stepping up to the forefront when it may not be easy to do so. You can't be a
vocal leader unless you have the respect to back it up. If your teammates don't
see you produce on the court, then your words don't mean anything. You can't be
silent and just lead by example on the court."
After the conference opener against Stony Brook on Jan. 2,
Morris suffered a shooting hand injury and had to sit out for nine games.
Still, Coach Chambers asked him to travel with the team during the difficult
stretch in which they played seven of nine on the road.
Morris gave words of wisdom to his teammates and tried to
keep them motivated knowing that he would eventually return. He came back to
the starting lineup at the beginning of February and has helped the team to a
5-1 record in the month, averaging 8.7 ppg, 4.3 apg, 3.2 rpg and 2.1 spg.
His contributions in all facets of the game are greatly
appreciated by the rest of the team, and they will look to help him achieve his
dream of reaching the NCAA tournament with the start of the conference
tournament next week.
Still, even if the team fails to advance, Morris wouldn't
change anything that has happened to him during his time at Boston University.
"The whole process has been a huge maturation process," he
said. "There are some lessons I've learned along the way as far as adversity
goes and having the resilience in times of turmoil. I'll carry them with me for
the rest of my life."
While battling injuries, Morris has led the men's basketball
team to thrilling victories, achieved high marks in his business classes and
volunteered for organizations like the Special Olympics and Making Strides
Against Breast Cancer.
He has fulfilled the University's mission statement and will
be sorely missed after receiving his diploma in May.