RANDY MORGAN
The Randy Morgan Award, given to an 85 pound lineman, is the most prestigious award given in Vienna Youth (VYI) football. This coveted award is named after Randy Morgan, a young man who exemplified all of the best qualities which VYI football hopes to discover and instill in its players. Randy’s untimely death at the age of ten years old occurred just a few weeks after he and his teammates earned their first trophy as runner-ups in the 85-pound Fairfax County championship game.
In the years since his death, Randy’s parents have sponsored the VYI Randy Morgan Award. It is given at the VYI Football Banquet each December in recognition of the one player who best represents the qualities exemplified by Randy.
Randy Morgan, like virtually all the other players on his team, was a good but not a great athlete. However, what he lacked in athletic ability he made up for in effort, hard work and determination. He would never admit there was anything expected of him by his coaches that he could not do on the football field. He was certainly going to give it his best effort and it all started with his attitude. He wanted to be the first player at practice and the last to leave. He paid attention to even the smallest details. If there was equipment to be carried on or off the field, he always volunteered. When a coach called for a drill, he was always among the first in line. If he made an inadequate effort in a blocking or tackling drill, he jumped up and was ready to try again. He just wanted to please and do his best in every situation. When answering any coach it was always “Yes, Sir” and “No, Sir.” He was an all-around good kid and he always tried to give his best. Randy was the sort of young man every coach dreams of coaching. It could all be summed up in his attitude: he volunteered to help in any way he was needed; he gave fully of himself even if he was not considered the star of the team,; he did not complain even when he was hurt or he was not on the field; he did all he could to encourage his teammates; he always worked hard to become better at his position; he was cheerful and respectful; and he motivated his team and coaches just by his presence.
Winning games is important to all young people who participate in sports. Typically, they realize early on that it is not always possible to win and the reasons are numerous. However, an athlete like Randy is pivotal to a team developing a winning attitude. Randy inspired his team to work harder in order to win more often. He showed his fellow teammates how to be a winner regardless of the numbers on the scoreboard.
In 1976, ten-year-old Randy was tragically taken from his parents, Ron and Sheila Morgan, and his sister, Denise, by Reyes Syndrome. At that time, Reyes Syndrome and its causes were not well known. Randy was healthy, intelligent and lived each day with energy and joy. However, on this day, within hours of becoming ill with a high fever, severe nausea and intense pain, he was admitted to the hospital where a medical coma was induced. Within days, his doctors determined he would not survive the damage to his brain and it was left to his parents to make the heartrending task of determining when to end life support. Bill Hecht, Randy’s coach and a former Lutheran minister, ministered to the family at Randy’s bedside. As he finished reading a blessing of the dying, at the very words, “In the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit,” Randy breathed his last. The doctors in the room declared it a miracle. In the years since, Randy’s parents have never ceased to give thanks to God for His mercy, sparing them the necessity of ending life support. Randy’s life was celebrated at a service attended by his Cavalier team members, all dressed in their VYI uniforms, and Coach Hecht preached the funeral sermon at the request of the Morgan family. Young Randy was buried with the VYI uniform he loved so much.
VYI was honored to have Randy Morgan play for our teams. We honor his memory every year in selecting the football player who has inspired his teammates and coaches in an exceptional manner. We acknowledge and profoundly thank Ron and Sheila Morgan for the establishment and continuance of this unique and extraordinary award.
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