Jim Morgan (basketball)
James E. Morgan | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 13, 1934 Hyden, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | September 29, 2019 (aged 85) Dayton, Ohio, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Athlete, thoroughbred horse trainer, teacher, basketball coach |
| Years active | 1950s–2019 |
| Known for | Louisville Cardinals basketball player; Ohio's leading thoroughbred horse trainer |
James E. Morgan (June 13, 1934 – September 29, 2019) was an American athlete and thoroughbred horse trainer. During his collegiate years, he played basketball for the Louisville Cardinals, contributing to their victory in the NIT title. Although chosen as the 15th overall pick by the Syracuse Nationals in the 1957 NBA draft, Morgan never participated in the NBA. He later dedicated time to teaching and coaching basketball at the high school level in Ohio before establishing himself as one of Ohio’s foremost race horse trainers over four decades.
Early life
Morgan was born in Hyden, Kentucky as one of seven siblings. His family initially resided in a modest two-room log cabin lacking electricity and running water until it was destroyed by fire. In the early 1940s, they moved to Dayton, Ohio, where his father secured employment at a Delco Electronics manufacturing plant.
Basketball career
Attending Stivers High School in Dayton, Morgan led his team to achieve the top state ranking during the early 1950s. He opted to play collegiate basketball at Louisville despite receiving recruitment interest from the Kentucky Wildcats and Dayton Flyers. Over four seasons, he amassed 1,105 points. The Cardinals clinched the 1956 NIT championship by overcoming Dayton.
Although selected 15th overall by the Syracuse Nationals in 1957, Morgan declined their $5,000 contract offer and chose not to pursue a professional NBA career. Instead, he taught social studies and coached basketball at Stebbins High School in Riverside, Ohio, for nine years.
Race horse training career
In 1966, Morgan left his teaching position at Stebbins to follow his enduring interest in race horse training, initially inspired by his role as an usher at Churchill Downs in 1953. He became a leading Thoroughbred trainer in the Midwest, securing over 300 stakes race victories and earning recognition as Ohio’s most successful stakes trainer. Between 1967 and 2008, horses under his guidance achieved 1,993 wins and accumulated $20.7 million in earnings. Additionally, Morgan held leadership roles including president of the Ohio Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association and trustee of the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Health Fund from 1998 until his passing.
Notable Stakes Race Victories
Prominent wins include:
- Fayette Stakes (1974)
- Tejano Run Stakes (1975)
- Golden Rod Stakes (1977)
- Dogwood Stakes (1978)
- Mint Julep Stakes (1979)
- Lafayette Stakes (1980)
Honors
Morgan’s achievements earned him induction into several halls of fame: Louisville Cardinals Athletics Hall of Fame (1981), Stivers Athletic Hall of Fame (2006), and Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame (2013). His No. 12 jersey is retired and displayed among the Louisville Cardinals’ honored numbers at Freedom Hall.
Personal life
Morgan was father to two children. His brothers Mickey and Tom competed at Morehead State University in basketball and football respectively. After experiencing a major heart attack in 1993, he continued working despite medical recommendations to retire.
He passed away at age 85 from an apparent heart attack in Dayton on September 29, 2019. Morgan was laid to rest alongside family members at Deerfield Cemetery in South Lebanon, Ohio.