Ty grew up in Twawwassen, Delta, B.C. Canada. After graduating from Vancouver College High School in Vancouver, B.C. in 1973, he accepted a football scholarship to Boise State University. Ty played on two Big Sky Championship teams and in two NCAA Bowls. After two years at Boise State he transferred to the University Of Puget Sound where he continued to play football and participated in numerous other activities: News and Sports Director for KUPS Radio, President of the International Club, and a news reporting for KSTW Television in Tacoma. He graduated with a B.A. degree in English, Communications, and Education in 1978.
In the spring of 1978 Ty was drafted by the defending Canadian Football League Grey Cup champions, the Montreal Alouettes. As a rookie he made the opening day roster for the Alouettes. During the off-season Ty worked as a substitute teacher and became a TV commentator for the television station in Delta, B.C. After his second opening season with the Alouettes, he injured his kicking knee. With his injured knee, Ty left Montreal for Longview, Washington and married his college sweetheart, Anne Popp, who was teaching first grade. He began teaching English, and coached football and softball. In addition to working for the school district Ty became the sports director for KEDO/KLYK Radio in Longview, covering local and state sports as well as the Mariners, Seahawks, Trailblazers, and WSU Cougars.
In 1982 Ty applied to be the Assistant Athletic/Activities Director at R.A. Long High School. This was a position he held for two years while he continued to teach, coach, and work at the radio station. During this time he began classes to obtain his Administrative Certification. In 1984 Ty became Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at R.A. Long. He has been in this position for the past 29 years. He is also currently the Longview School District’s Manager of Longview Memorial Stadium and the K-12 Physical Education Curriculum and Grant Coordinator.
Ty has been a member of the South West Association District 4 for three decades, serving president and on numerous committees for a legion of activities. He served as a WIAA Representative Assembly Member and as President of the Greater St. Helens League. He helped organize the final rotating WSSAAA State conference which was held in Vancouver, Washington and Portland, Oregon. In 1993 Ty was elected to the WSSAAA Board, replacing Tumwater’s Hall of Fame Athletic Director Bob Shiner. Ty has remained on the board for the past 17 years. In 1994-95 Ty was President Elect and coordinated the State Conference in Wenatchee. The following year Ty served as WSSAAA President.
From 1997 through 2000 Ty represented Section 8 (Washington, Oregon, Wyoming, Alaska, Idaho, and Montana) for the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. During this time he helped develop the NIAAA Leadership Training curriculum and became a Certified Master Athletic Administrator, Washington Secondary School Principals Distinguished Assistant Principal of the Year, and Washington DECA Support Administrator of the Year.
As a member of Rotary International Club for 28 years, Ty has been chairman of the Scholarship Foundation, as well as being in charge of the youth leadership program and the program coordinator. He was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow Award from his fellow Rotarians.
When you step back and look for words to best describe Ty Morris, first and foremost the word unselfish comes to mind. Ty has given countless behind-the-scenes hours volunteering in the community, supporting young people, and supervising thousands of athletic events. The second word that comes to mind is passionate. For a man who did not graduate from R.A. Long High School, Ty has adopted this school as his own for over 30 years. His passion for students is uncompromising. Ty has convinced countless students that they, too, can be part of something special: a team, their school, their community. He has mentored young coaches, young athletic directors, and the young men and women of R.A. Long High School. Ty’s focus and commitment has always been about helping others reach their potential and experience success.