Former Fair Park and Southern Arkansas standout Val Morris, who spent time in two NFL training camps, will be inducted into the SAU Sports Hall of Fame this fall with seven additional candidates.
Morris was unstoppable as a wideout during his tenure with the Muleriders (1990-93) when he snagged a then program record 151 passes and set a single-game receiving yards record with 216 against Howard Payne in 1992. He became SAU’s second receiver to surpass 2,000 career receiving yards.
Currently working for i3Verticals as a team leader while also working as a personal for Faithful Nutrition in Shreveport, Morris will be formally inducted during a ceremony at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4 in SAUs Grand Hall of the Donald W. Reynolds Campus and Community Center. He’ll also be recognized at halftime of the Muleriders’ Oct. 4 game against Southern Nazarene.
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When he received the call from SAU athletic director Steve Browning, Morris was beside himself.
“After hearing that, I fell to my knees and thanked God,” Morris said. “And I told him I was honored and grateful for the opportunity.”
Morris was in training camp with Tampa Bay in 1994 and in camp with the Miami Dolphins in 1996. He played for the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings from 2001-2003.
At SAU, Morris set a program record with 838 receiving yards in 1993 and was the university’s first receiver to compile two seasons of 750 yards. He gathered in 16 TDs during his playing time there, which was the third most in school history at the time. His records held for more than a decade and his numbers remain in the top 5 in most major SAU receiving categories.
Morris earned All-Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference honors in three different seasons which included a unanimous first-team selection in 1993 and a first-team honor as a wideout and a second-team recognition as a punt returner in 1992.
His 493 career punt return yards were the third-most at the conclusion of his career and he was the first Mulerider to record two seasons of 25 or more punt returns. A two-time NAIA All-District 17 selection, Morris was named NAIA honorable mention All-America as a wide receiver in 1992 and 1993.
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Jimmy covers Louisiana sports him for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at jwatson@shreveporttimes.com and follow on Twitter @JimmyWatson6.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: This former Fair Park, Battle Wings standout nabbed SAU sports hall of fame recognition
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