ARCANUM – Gene Morris was recently inducted into the Arcanum Athletic Hall of Fame as an honorary member for his 35 years of voluntary service as “The Voice of the Trojans,” announcing football and basketball games at Arcanum.
“I am truly blessed and just humble as can be because one of my favorite things of doing in this announcing is the night of the Hall of Fame to get to read this, and here, lo and behold, I am part of it now,” Morris said. “I am just extremely proud of it.”
Morris was inducted into the 2025 Arcanum Athletic Hall of Fame along with Mike Eilerman and Ryan Burns.
In addition to announcing athletic events at Arcanum, Morris has devoted countless hours as a volunteer coach and scorekeeper for the baseball and softball teams. He has also impacted the Arcanum community by coaching Little League baseball, serving on the Gordon town council for twenty years, and serving as mayor of Gordon for four years, where he currently resides.
Gene has been married to his wife Nelda (Whiting) for 59 years and enjoys spending time with his three sons, seven grandchildren, and thirteen great-grandchildren.
“Nelda has really been good for it,” Morris said of his hours of volunteer work. “When there’s a game, I want to be here early to review the names and everything. She understands, and she knows I want to do it right. Hopefully, I’ve done that. I keep it just down to earth, and it’s for the kids, of course.”
Thirty-five years of success for Morris is a testament to treating everyone he meets with respect and kindness.
“I always kept the philosophy from when I started announcing that I was there for both teams,” Morris said. “I’ve had visiting fans come up and say how good a job you did, and it really touches me, but our fans have been very kind to me. I have always kept it to where it’s for everybody, and it’s worked out pretty well.”
Awards are not new to Morris, who received recognition for his dedication to Arcanum athletics when he was presented with the Arcanum Athletic Booster Appreciation Award in 2011 and the Southwest District Friends of Athletics Award in 2018.
Gene and Nelda attend Trinity Methodist Church in Arcanum and give God all the credit.
“We have been very blessed,” Morris stated. “Trinity Methodist Church has changed our lives for the better, and none of us can do this without God in our lives.”
