October 7, 2008

Morrison's Impact Felt at Union

Around the mid-season mark of the 2007-08 women’s ice hockey campaign, college hockey great George Morrison joined head coach Claudia Asano and her Union staff as a volunteer assistant coach, bringing with him years of experience at the collegiate and professional level. Almost a year later and on the brink of a new season, the team learned that Morrison has developed a brain tumor.

“When I found out I was devastated,” Asano said. “I was sad for our team, our student-athletes and for our program. I also felt that George was too healthy – he was in perfect health. It was unbelievable.”

Morrison, who approached Asano about jumping onboard with the team, is a favorite among the student-athletes and the Union College staff.

“In the last year George has added so much life to our team,” Asano said. “His knowledge of the game is great and helped our players a great deal. I remember when I meet George last November to discuss working with the team; he was so excited to get back on the ice.”

Morrison played hockey at the University of Denver, scoring 70 goals in 64 games to be named to the NCAA West First All-Star team in both 1969 and 1970. He won a NCAA Championship in 1969 and was drafted by the National Hockey League. After singing a free agent contract, we produced 25 points in 73 games with the St. Louis Blues.

In 1972 he was drafted by the Minnesota Fighting Saints of the World Hockey Association and produced 40 goals and 38 assists in 73 games in 1973-74.

“What impressed me the most when I met George was his eagerness to want to help our program that was starting over,” Asano said. “He was one of the most positive influences on our program over the past year. Personally, George helped me grown tremendously as a coach and more importantly as a person.”