| Eastern athletics photo |
ST. DAVIDS, Pa.- Eastern University Director of Athletics Brad
Fields has announced that Jed Morris will join Eastern Athletics as
the next Head Coach of Eastern University Baseball. Morris brings a
wealth of life and baseball experience to a program that has
experienced tremendous growth over the past three years. Morris
replaced Matt Midkiff who guide the Eagles to a 8-13 record in
2012.
“I am excited to welcome Jed Morris as our new head baseball
coach at Eastern University," Fields remarked. "We went through an
extensive, national search in selecting the next leader of our
baseball program, and through this intensive process yielded an
outstanding mentor. Jed has tremendous playing credentials
and has been a student – and teacher – of the game for
many years. Add to that Jed’s passion for running a
Christ-centered program of excellence, and he was clearly the fit
for us."
Morris was named Big-12 Player of the Year and a 1st Team
All-American as a senior catcher at Nebraska in 2002. he helped
lead the Huskers to two straight appearances in the College World
Series. Morris holds the Nebraska record with 201 total bases, 23
homers, and 90 RBIs in the 2002 season. He hit a team-high .382 to
help Nebraska return to the College World Series.
From that magical season, the Houston native was drafted by the
Oakland Athletics organization in a draft that was made famous by
Michael Lewis in the book Moneyball.
Morris climbed in the A's organization and hit .306 at Double A
Midland in 2006 before his life took an unexpected turn. Morris was
diagnosed with Leukemia. After undergoing treatment and starting
back over in the A's system, Morris returned to Midland in 2008 and
hit .261 in his final season in the organization.
Morris continued to play professionally in Independent League
Baseball for a couple seasons in Lancaster. While his career with
Barnstormers was not marked by statistical brilliance, Morris made
an enormous contribution to the organization in other ways. In
2010, he was named Community Man of the Year in the Organization
and he started a Not-for-Profit called You And Me On A Comeback.
The organization seeks to inspire young cancer patients to remain
physically active and to improve diet and nutrition.
In addition to his playing career, Morris has worked as a clinic
and individual skills instructor and in 2012 took a high school
position at Haverford High School.
Morris has a Bachelor's Degree in Community Health Education and is
an active member of Storehouse Church.
"Once again," Fields concluded. "I thank Matt Midkiff and his staff
for their efforts moving Eastern Baseball forward over the past
four years. I am looking forward to watching Eastern Baseball
blossom under Jed’s leadership in this coming season, and for
many years into the future."