Laird Morris

Laird Monterey "Monte" Morris (October 9, 1889 – August 19, 1954) was an American rugby union player who played at scrum-half for the United States men's national team in its first capped match in 1912.

Laird Morris

Morris passes back from a scrum during the 1912 match against Australia
Full name	Laird Monterey Morris
Date of birth	(1889-10-09)October 9, 1889
Place of birth	California
Date of death	August 19, 1954(1954-08-19) (aged 64)
Place of death	San Francisco, California
Height	5 ft 7.5 in (1.71 m)[1]
Weight	150 lb (68 kg; 10 st 10 lb)[1]
University	University of California
Rugby union career
Position(s) Scrum-half Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1910–1912 University of California () Correct as of November 5, 2018 International career Years Team Apps (Points) 1910–1912 United States 1 (0) Correct as of November 5, 2018

Morris with the US team in 1912 (pictured front row, fifth from left)

Biography

Morris was born on October 9, 1889, in California.^[2] He was the son of Henry Bishop Morris and Mary Kathryn Morris (born Baker).^[3]

Morris attended the University of California, where in 1910 he earned a place on the varsity rugby team.^[4] In 1911, Morris was late to return to the university,^[5] but eventually did so and rejoined the rugby team.^[6] During the 1912 season, Morris saw his playing time reduced as the coaching staff attempted to develop other players to play his position,^[7] although he remained the best player at that position on the university team.^[8] At the end of the 1912 season, on November 16, 1912, Morris played for the United States team at scrum-half in its first capped match—a 12–8 loss to Australia.^[9] Morris served as the team's captain for this match.^[10]

In 1913, Morris did not return to the University of California rugby team.^[11] Over the course of his collegiate rugby career, Morris was described as "one of the grittiest halves that ever trailed a scrum,"^[11] and as a member of "one of the most brilliant [back field] combinations ever seen on the Coast."^[12] As a member of the class of 1913, Morris was a member of the Winged Helmet and Golden Bear honor societies at the University of California.^[13][14] Morris died on August 19, 1954, in San Francisco, California.^[2]