A team effort: James Morris’s journey in URI athletics

From playing basketball at a collegiate level, to being the head equipment manager, James Morris emphasizes teamwork on and off the court. PHOTO CREDIT: Gorhody.com

Playing basketball at the collegiate level, James Morris knew the importance of teamwork and coming together as a group. 

Over twenty years later, he continues to live by these values working with college athletes at the University of Rhode Island.

Currently serving as the head equipment manager at the URI, Morris graduated from Roger Williams University in 2003 with a degree in business management. Alongside his playing career with the Hawks from 2000-2003, he had an opportunity to work in the equipment room – a job that he quickly fell in love with.

“I had a mentor at Roger Williams, [athletics hall of famer] Ray Cordeiro, and he kind of just took me under [his] wing,” he said. “I took a love for it, but you’re obviously going to school for business, you want to try to get into that field.”

After working in finance in the years following graduation, Morris received a phone call from URI in 2009. It was an opportunity to work in the Ryan Center – a job that would get him back into the world of sports.

“I said, ‘you know, let’s take a plunge,’” Morris said. “‘Let’s try what you’re passionate about.’”

The Middletown native began as the operations manager for both the Ryan Center and Boss Ice Arena. While not exclusive to athletics, the job had him working men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and hockey games across both venues, as well as other non-sporting events such as concerts.

Moving up to the position of director of facilities at the Ryan Center in 2014, Morris worked in the role for five years before a new opening presented itself. This time, he would be working exclusively in athletics – an opportunity that would not have been possible without the relationships built over the last decade.

“I wasn’t looking to leave, however, an opportunity came up,” he said. “I just thought, ‘hey you know what? Let’s give this a shot. I want to be 100 percent in athletics.’”

One of those relationships was with Vinny Turco, URI’s associate athletic director of operations. With a similar background in both operations and equipment management, the two quickly developed a strong bond.

“He does his job the way I like to do my job,” Turco said. “We have very similar thoughts on work ethic and the same philosophy about treating people right.”

When Morris first joined the University, he took the chance to learn everything he could from Turco. Thirteen years later, Morris credits his longtime colleague for helping him get to where he is today.

“He’s been super,” Morris said. “He’s been my rock, my mentor.”

Transitioning to head equipment manager in March 2019, Morris is now in charge of the equipment for each of the 18 varsity programs on campus. He also works directly with three of those teams: football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball.

For Morris, no two days in the life of an equipment manager are the same. 

“There is never a normal day,” he said. “I can’t remember the last time the day was like the day prior.”

In order to keep up with daily demands, according to Morris, organization and the ability to adapt quickly are musts for working in equipment management.

“Equipment is all about organization,” he said. “If you plan for something, just be prepared to pivot.”

This was especially the case during the 2020-2021 season. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, sweeping measures had to be taken in order to protect player safety. Changes included both teams at the Ryan Center warming up with different basketballs and extensive sanitation throughout each event.

According to Morris, the most important thing about his job is the relationships and bonds shared with the rest of the locker room. By involving student-athletes in the process, the results are much more rewarding – both for the equipment staff and the athletes themselves.

“When you have them involved, they respect your process or your operation,” he said. “They are bought into what you’re doing, they’re excited. That’s what it’s all about.”