"There have been a lot of special moments"
Departing Athletics Director Danny Morrison still TCU is the best AD job in the country, sees continued momentum for Frogs.
by Rick Waters '95
Danny Morrison was introduced as TCU's 5th athletics director on May 19, 2005. Today marked his last day at TCU. He leaves Fort Worth to become the president of the NFL's Carolina Panthers.
Danny Morrison likes to talk about momentum. The day he was introduced at TCU, he spoke of the progress the Horned Frog athletics program has made with facilities, coaching hires, community relations and strong relationship with the administration and the rest of campus.
"I know that part of my job is not to mess that up," he joked.
Today marks Morrison's final day at the university, and few argue that he's been a major success story. During his four-plus years at TCU, the program constructed the Sam Baugh Indoor Practice Facility and Dutch Meyer Athletics Complex and Abe Martin Academic Enhancement Center, upgraded the videoboards and LED score panels at eight sports venues and set in motion plans for a future Olympic Sports Complex and a renovation for Amon Carter Stadium.
Morrison reflected on his time at TCU with the magazine shortly before his departure:
The TCU Magazine: As you think back on four-plus years at TCU, what stands out?
Danny Morrison: First of all, we have loved Fort Worth and TCU. We had heard all of the terrific things about TCU and Fort Worth prior to coming, and then to get here and find out that this place was actually better than we had heard was fantastic. The community has been great and really embraced both Peggy and me from day one. It has just been a special, special place for the past four-plus years. It has also been a quick four-plus years.
Someone commented to me after all the news came out, “So you are going back home to the Carolinas.” My response was, “We love the Carolinas, but home has been here for over four years.” We thought that we would be here until retirement days. Then this extraordinary opportunity came so quickly. It has been a wonderful time in our lives to be at TCU and live in Fort Worth, and we have been blessed to be here and a part of the TCU Community.
Is there a game or a moment here at TCU that is your favorite?
There have been a lot of special moments, for special moments come about when you are invested in the lives of the student-athletes, coaches, and the staff. You’ve heard me talk often about the difference in a winning team and a winning program. The key to success is to keep fixated on the long term and what’s best for the program. When that happens, programs develop and it is fun to see the positive results for the coaches and staff who put in so much time and effort to make a quality program possible. We also have to remember the support that we get from the administration, faculty, and staff. All of them contribute to building a winning program.
So, to point and say that this special moment was best or that special moment was best is not fair. All of the special moments involve people, and seeing them being successful is the joy of this profession. Best of all is watching the difference TCU makes in young people’s lives.
If you were to leave a message or share advice for your successor, what might you say?
This is the best AD job in America. The school has great momentum, a fantastic chancellor who has emphasized excellence all over the university, not just in the athletics program, a donor base that is committed to continued improvement, and a wonderful athletics staff. Add to that the quality of life in Fort Worth and the vibrant downtown, and the next person is going to have an opportunity to be a part of a special time at TCU. This is really an outstanding place.
You mentioned the Carolina Panthers job came quickly, and certainly there are projects and initiatives that you will now pass the baton to the next person. What type of agenda will the next athletics director face?
What you always hope when you leave a place is that it continues to get better and better. We have some really important projects on the board right now. Construction on the Jane Justin Field House at Garvey-Rosenthal Soccer Stadium will begin soon. The Olympic Sports Complex and renovation to Amon Carter Stadium are of critical importance and planning continues on both of those projects. The Olympic facility touches almost every athlete at TCU. Twelve of the 20 programs will be housed there, but 14 sports will actually use the facility. The stadium, of course, is such a high-profile project and the Stadium Committee has invested about two years working on various elements associated with that project. The other need that’s important is growth in the endowed scholarships program.
What did you learn during your four-plus years here at TCU?
That would be a long list. We have such talented coaches and staff here. Hopefully you learn something every day. It’s the people that move programs forward, and I marvel at the work ethic and collegiality of the coaches and staff. It’s a pretty good formula for success.
The Panthers play here at the Cowboys Stadium, so you will have both worlds colliding a bit.
It’s Monday night the 28th. I will work at TCU through that day to finish up and then go to the game that night. I have so much respect for this place and the people, and it’s important to leave the right way.
I am very appreciative of the people from the TCU community who have called and sent notes. I think they understand that this is an extraordinary opportunity. The former student-athletes who have called and emailed have meant so much.
The only negative with an administrative job is that you just don’t get to spend as much time as you’d like with the student-athletes. But I think they know I cared. And that’s what I would want them to remember about me.
You’ve had a vision for TCU. What do you think is on the horizon for TCU?
There is such great momentum here in every area that things will only continue to get better. Everywhere you go, people are talking about TCU. It’s one of the hot schools in America. Given the economy of today, it’s a great testament to TCU that this year’s freshman class is the largest one ever. Even in tough times, people will pay for quality. We will miss this special place and its fabulous people.
Related stories:
Danny Morrison - an appreciation
Danny Morrison's first-ever interview with The TCU Magazine
Quotes from Danny's Morrison's introductory press conference - May 19, 2005
Staff writer Rick Waters recalls working with Danny Morrison