Rugby’s Spencer Morris Is Known By His Deeds
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
By Nicole Loscavio
S
pectemur Agendo. It’s a Latin phrase with the English translation: “to be known by your deeds.”
It’s the motto Cal rugby head coach Jack Clark tries to instill in his players, so much so that he has it posted above the doorway to the great room at the Doc Hudson Fieldhouse. Clark believes that it’s less about having an explanation for everything, and more about what you’re actually able to get done. Spencer Morris, according to Clark, is the epitome of being known by one’s deeds. The junior from Vancouver, British Colombia, works hard on the rugby field “Spencer exemplifies the ideal balance between student and in the classroom, and his commitand athlete,” said Nick McNeil, an academic advisor in the ment hasn’t gone unnoticed. Morris curAthletic Study Center. “Over the last two years, I feel privirently has the highest GPA among all Cal leged to be able to work with a student who puts forth this student-athletes with a 3.984 overall. That Spencer Morris much effort into the classroom, with his tutors, and on Witter figure includes a perfect 4.0 in his seven Rugby Field.” prerequisite courses for the Haas School of Business. Morris spent last summer interning with Pricewaterhouse“It’s pretty rare to juggle the demands of being a varsity athCoopers, as a summer associate in the audit/assurance group, lete and do as well academically as he does,” shared coach Tom and he is considering an opportunity to join PwC again next Billups. “Spencer is reaching his potential in an athletic way summer. “As for the next two years, I and I think that goes hand in hand want to explore more classes in Haas, with what he’s doing in the classand hopefully do well in them,” Morroom.” ris said. “I’ll try to branch out and Clark added that pound for pound, gain connections, hopefully figure out Morris one of the fittest guys on what I want to do when my time at Cal the team. “Similar to his academic is done.” achievements, that’s not easy to be On Witter Rugby Field, Morris also our fittest, strongest guy,” he said. hopes to assume more of a leadership Morris first learned to balance role as an upperclassman, and wants school work with the demands of to positively contribute to the team a competitive sport in high school, in any way that he can. “We challenge when downhill Alpine skiing was every young man on our squad to his main athletic endeavor. He was put the team before themselves, and on the BC ski team for three years that’s easy to say and hard to do,” Bilduring high school and missed nearly lups stated. “There have been count70 days of classes a year due to the less examples during Spencer’s career intense travel schedule. Not only did here where he’s been able to do that.” Morris come out of that experience Clark summarized Spencer Morris with a few great stories – like getting with one word: “excellent.” to forerun the downhill alpine ski Morris understands the true sencourse at the 2010 Olympics in Vantiment behind “Spectemur Agendo,” couver – but he was also able to deand his academic rigor exemplifies velop the time management and or- Spencer Morris arrived at Cal as an accomplished it. He’s not just talking about it, he’s ganizational skills that have allowed skier and today represents rugby with the highest GPA doing it. among all student-athletes. him to thrive here in Berkeley. winter 2013-14
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