Morris’ recovery inspires team

About an hour after the Hoosiers defeated North Carolina on Friday, senior defender Caleb Konstanski took to Twitter.

“Would never have got here without Tom Morris. That guy has been motivation for us all year. We will always be #tomsteam.”

Morris, an IU head strength and conditioning coach, sustained a C6 spinal cord injury while mountain biking on May 17 near Certified Technology Park.

Playing for Morris gives the IU men’s soccer team another intangible incentive, IU Coach Todd Yeagley said.

“This group’s pretty tight,” Yeagley said. “Tom’s accident brought these players together in a different way.”

Senior midfielder Joe Tolen said Morris’ story has played a significant role in the Hoosiers’ quest for their first national championship since 2004.

“It’s been unbelievable to see his progress,” Tolen said. “He’s motivated us. It’s taken us to a different level, and it’s definitely helped us get to where we are. It’s
amazing.”

Senior forward Tim Wylie said Morris has been an inspiration to the team.

“Anybody that knows him, Tom doesn’t give up,” Wylie said. “He has the most positive outlook no matter what happens. His messages, his texts, his emails, his speeches before our games really help us.

“You can relate it to, when you want to give up on a soccer field, the guy’s fighting. You think of these challenges, and it’s not all that bad. He’s a big inspiration for us.”

Graduate student forward T.J. Popolizio said Morris provides an intangible aspect for the team.

“Dealing with tragedy like that, it’s a terrible challenge for him,” Popolizio said. “This team has kind of put that as perspective all season. Yeah, it’s tough to be out here, it’s tough when things don’t go your way, but having Tom there is just this inspiration where he’s dealing with so much of a bigger challenge.

“This is a game. We’re lucky to be playing it.”

Members of the team said they’re playing for Morris.

“You look at him and see what this guy’s dealt with,” Popolizio said. “He’s been such a force. It bleeds into this team. We’ve taken the whole season as a real gift. I think treating it like that has been a good attitude to have.”