Billy Joe Morgan, who provided a strong influence for Jacksonville area soccer, has died.
Morgan died Saturday, four days before his 81st birthday.
“Billy Joe was extremely involved in soccer, getting it organized and I believe he was the one who pushed to get a team started at Jacksonville High,” said Ron Holtsford, the school’s first soccer coach and former athletic director. “He coached, but he was also really supportive of me when I first became a coach. He knew how to get things done properly. He was a very good man.”
Morgan, an attorney, was named the Jacksonville-Onslow Man of the Year in 1989 because of his commitment to the youth, according to his obituary. He was inducted into the North Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame in 1997 and the Jacksonville-Onslow Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.
His late parents, Ruth and Joe Morgan, were inducted into the Jacksonville-Onslow Sports Hall of Fame in 2003 after they were instrumental in creating youth sports in Jacksonville.
In 1975, Morgan started the youth soccer program in Jacksonville and helped launch the Classic travel programs in Jacksonville, Wilmington, New Bern, Goldsboro and other Eastern North Carolina communities. His 1988 Jacksonville club team won the NCYSA U17 State Cup.
Morgan pushed for soccer’s success as a coach, mentor and facilitator. He was the President of the Jacksonville Area Soccer Association for 25 years. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of the East Carolina Soccer Association, the NC Youth Soccer Association among other organizations.
“I credit the success of JASA to Billy Joe,” said Cliff Clement, the director of officials for ECSA and regional supervisor for the NCHSAA. “When his kids were young, he saw an opportunity to help all kids advance outside of Jacksonville by playing other teams. He had a love for the game. He used to tell me that soccer was his golf. He said going on the field and seeing 8-and 9-year-old kids experiencing soccer for the first time gave him fulfillment.”
Morgan was senior class and student body president at Jacksonville High before he graduated in 1959. He played freshman basketball at NC State before he transferred to Davidson. He returned home in 1971 and practiced law through this year.
“Look at what Billy Joe has done. Soon after he started JASA, every high school had their own recreation club,” Jacksonville soccer coach and athletic director Dave Miller said. “You see some of the success our programs have had. It goes back to him and others who paved the way.”
Chris Miller can be contacted via email at [email protected]. Follow him on twitter @jdnsports.