Huskies Show Support of Former Coach with Morrison Strong Game
December 28, 2022 | Women's Basketball
SEATTLE โ Theย Washington women's basketball team is proud to support former Husky assistant coach Kevin Morrison and his family in the fight against Alzheimer's.ย
Kevin is a beloved Husky, who in May 2021 was diagnosed with Stage 5 Early Onset Alzheimer's. Head coach Tina Langley has known him for years, and is grateful for the opportunity to come together as a Husky family to support the Morrisons.ย
For the second season in a row, the Huskies will be hosting a Morrison Strong game. This season's game will take place Friday, Dec. 30 when Washington hosts Colorado at Alaska Airlines Arena. On behalf of Morrison Strong, $5 of every ticket purchasedย to the weekend's games (Dec. 30 vs. Colorado and Jan. 1 vs. No. 11 Utah) through a special offer will benefit theย Morrison Family.ย
"We were honored to be able to host the Morrison Strong game last season, were incredibly grateful for the community's response to it, and are looking forward to be able to host this game again in support of the Morrison family this season," Langley said.
The team will be wearing t-shirts with the phrase "Morrison Strong" to help raise awareness, and throughout the week will be sharing messages of support on social media (@uw_wbb). The program also encourages those who are able to donate to the Morrisons.
"Kevin Morrison is one of the greatest men you'll ever meet," Langley said ahead of last season's Morrison Strong game. "He has given his life to this game and to young women and to growing them as people, and now it's time for us to give back. It's time for us to support him and his family in this journey."ย
Kevin coached at the University of Washington from 2011-15, during which time he recruited and coached Brianna (Ruiz) Bishop ('17), who is now married to former Husky baseball student-athlete and founder of the 4MOM Charity, Braden Bishop ('15). Braden was prompted to start the charity after his mom, Suzy Bishop, was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer's.ย
"After Braden's mother passed away in 2019 a month before our wedding, I never thought someone close to me would ever go through this again," Bri said.ย
Kevin had stayed close to Bri and her parents over the years. When he called Bri, she didn't know what news was on the other line.
"One day I received a call from Kevin and I thought he was just calling to check in," Bri said. "Little did I know he'd be sharing the news. After awhile of talking on the phone, he had told me he had something to share and it wouldn't be easy to hear. He shared that he was diagnosed [with Early Onset Alzheimer's].ย
"My heart dropped."
Unfortunately, because of challenges the health care system presents to the family's situation, receiving financial support has been difficult.
"Right away I knew we had to help in any way possible," Bri said.ย
The Bishops and 4MOM rallied around the Morrisons.
"Braden, Bri, and the 4MOM Foundation threw us a lifeline and gave us hope," Heather Morrison, Kevin's wife, said. "We were able to speak with people we knew and trusted and that had experienced and suffered through the same devastating effects of this disease. They especially recognized how demanding this disease is on caregivers and how draining financially this disease, is as well."
Donating to the Morrisonsย helps Kevin, Heather, and their four children. Heather has been grateful for everyone's support through this time.
"We can't even begin to put into words how much peace this brings us knowing that some of the financial burden will be alleviated and we can provide Kevin with the care that he needs," Heather said.
Washington women's basketball is proud to support the Morrisons, and are grateful for the opportunity to partner with them as they navigate the difficult road ahead. The program is encouraging everyone to support their family by donating to the Morrison Family Grant, and joining the Husky community on Friday, Dec. 30 to honor them in Seattle.
"The impact [Kevin has] made is just tremendous, and now he's in a fight and his family is in a fight, and it's time for the game to give back," Langley said. "Basketball is a family and we should show up in difficult times for one another, and so we really want to show up for the Morrison family right now and just show them how much we love them, how much we appreciate them, and how much we want to give to their family."
On behalf of Morrison Strong, $5 of every ticket purchased to the weekend's game through a special offer will benefit the Morrison Family. Click HERE to purchase.
Kevin is a beloved Husky, who in May 2021 was diagnosed with Stage 5 Early Onset Alzheimer's. Head coach Tina Langley has known him for years, and is grateful for the opportunity to come together as a Husky family to support the Morrisons.ย
For the second season in a row, the Huskies will be hosting a Morrison Strong game. This season's game will take place Friday, Dec. 30 when Washington hosts Colorado at Alaska Airlines Arena. On behalf of Morrison Strong, $5 of every ticket purchasedย to the weekend's games (Dec. 30 vs. Colorado and Jan. 1 vs. No. 11 Utah) through a special offer will benefit theย Morrison Family.ย
"We were honored to be able to host the Morrison Strong game last season, were incredibly grateful for the community's response to it, and are looking forward to be able to host this game again in support of the Morrison family this season," Langley said.
The team will be wearing t-shirts with the phrase "Morrison Strong" to help raise awareness, and throughout the week will be sharing messages of support on social media (@uw_wbb). The program also encourages those who are able to donate to the Morrisons.
"Kevin Morrison is one of the greatest men you'll ever meet," Langley said ahead of last season's Morrison Strong game. "He has given his life to this game and to young women and to growing them as people, and now it's time for us to give back. It's time for us to support him and his family in this journey."ย
Kevin coached at the University of Washington from 2011-15, during which time he recruited and coached Brianna (Ruiz) Bishop ('17), who is now married to former Husky baseball student-athlete and founder of the 4MOM Charity, Braden Bishop ('15). Braden was prompted to start the charity after his mom, Suzy Bishop, was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer's.ย
"After Braden's mother passed away in 2019 a month before our wedding, I never thought someone close to me would ever go through this again," Bri said.ย
Kevin had stayed close to Bri and her parents over the years. When he called Bri, she didn't know what news was on the other line.
"One day I received a call from Kevin and I thought he was just calling to check in," Bri said. "Little did I know he'd be sharing the news. After awhile of talking on the phone, he had told me he had something to share and it wouldn't be easy to hear. He shared that he was diagnosed [with Early Onset Alzheimer's].ย
"My heart dropped."
Unfortunately, because of challenges the health care system presents to the family's situation, receiving financial support has been difficult.
"Right away I knew we had to help in any way possible," Bri said.ย
The Bishops and 4MOM rallied around the Morrisons.
"Braden, Bri, and the 4MOM Foundation threw us a lifeline and gave us hope," Heather Morrison, Kevin's wife, said. "We were able to speak with people we knew and trusted and that had experienced and suffered through the same devastating effects of this disease. They especially recognized how demanding this disease is on caregivers and how draining financially this disease, is as well."
Donating to the Morrisonsย helps Kevin, Heather, and their four children. Heather has been grateful for everyone's support through this time.
"We can't even begin to put into words how much peace this brings us knowing that some of the financial burden will be alleviated and we can provide Kevin with the care that he needs," Heather said.
Washington women's basketball is proud to support the Morrisons, and are grateful for the opportunity to partner with them as they navigate the difficult road ahead. The program is encouraging everyone to support their family by donating to the Morrison Family Grant, and joining the Husky community on Friday, Dec. 30 to honor them in Seattle.
"The impact [Kevin has] made is just tremendous, and now he's in a fight and his family is in a fight, and it's time for the game to give back," Langley said. "Basketball is a family and we should show up in difficult times for one another, and so we really want to show up for the Morrison family right now and just show them how much we love them, how much we appreciate them, and how much we want to give to their family."
On behalf of Morrison Strong, $5 of every ticket purchased to the weekend's game through a special offer will benefit the Morrison Family. Click HERE to purchase.
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