Before discussing Tennessee women’s basketball and the upcoming season, Kim Caldwell took a moment Thursday to honor someone she credits with helping make her coaching career possible.
I.L. “Ike” Morris, a prominent West Virginia businessman and longtime Glenville State University benefactor, died Monday at age 88. His visitation was held Thursday, the same day Caldwell addressed reporters in Knoxville.
“Without Ike Morris and his family, I would not be standing where I am today,” Caldwell said.
Morris and his wife, Sue, were instrumental in supporting Glenville State’s academic and athletic programs. Their contributions helped fund scholarships, improve athletic facilities and expand opportunities for student-athletes.
But for Caldwell, who coached at Glenville State before eventually making her way to Tennessee, Morris’ impact was also deeply personal.
“When you’re a Division II coach, you don’t always get to get new uniforms every year,” Caldwell said. “Sometimes you wear them for three years in a row, and they have armpit stains. And he made sure that we had new uniforms every year.”
His commitment extended beyond uniforms.
“He made sure we were celebrated when we won. He made sure that we could stay competitive with our scholarships,” Caldwell said. “He made sure we could compete, and that mattered to him.”
According to his obituary, Morris helped strengthen Glenville State through contributions to the Waco Center, Morris Stadium, and other university facilities. He and his wife also supported an annual $500,000 fundraising challenge and scholarship initiatives.
Caldwell recalled how Morris helped her navigate the challenges of building a competitive program with limited resources.
At one point, she needed to fill a 25-player roster with just 5½ scholarships. Morris stepped in to help.
“He made sure that I could be successful, and that was the most important thing to him,” Caldwell said. “He loved winners.”
She also remembered approaching Morris about hiring her father as an assistant coach.
“Look at your dad’s win percentage. I love a winner,” Caldwell recalled Morris telling her. “We’ll do what it takes to make sure he gets here.”
His generosity wasn’t limited to major financial commitments. Caldwell said Morris routinely sponsored holes at the program’s summer golf fundraisers and supported coaches across multiple sports.
“There’s a lot of coaches in different sports across the country that wouldn’t be where they are without him,” Caldwell said.
Although Caldwell couldn’t attend Thursday’s visitation in Glenville, she used her platform to share a message with Morris’ family and the community that helped launch her career.
“I wanted to say I love his family, I am praying for you,” Caldwell said. “I miss everybody in the town of Louisville.”
Now entering her third season at Tennessee, Caldwell continues to recognize the people who helped create opportunities for her along the way.
Morris, she made clear Thursday, was among the most influential.
