| Laird Morris | |
| Fullname: | Laird Monterey Morris |
| Birth Date: | 9 October 1889 |
| Birth Place: | California |
| Death Place: | San Francisco, California |
| Height: | [1] |
| University: | University of California |
| Ru Position: | Scrum-half |
| Amatyears1: | 1910–1912 |
| Amatteam1: | University of California |
| Ru Amupdate: | November 5, 2018 |
| Repteam1: | United States |
| Repyears1: | 1910–1912 |
| Repcaps1: | 1 |
| Reppoints1: | 0 |
| Ru Ntupdate: | November 5, 2018 |
Laird Monterey "Monte" Morris (October 9, 1889 – August 19, 1954) was an American rugby union player who played at scrum-half for the United States men's national team in its first capped match in 1912.
Morris was born on October 9, 1889, in California.[2] He was the son of Henry Bishop Morris and Mary Kathryn Morris (born Baker).[3]
Morris attended the University of California, where in 1910 he earned a place on the varsity rugby team.[4] In 1911, Morris was late to return to the university,[5] but eventually did so and rejoined the rugby team.[6] During the 1912 season, Morris saw his playing time reduced as the coaching staff attempted to develop other players to play his position,[7] although he remained the best player at that position on the university team.[8] At the end of the 1912 season, on November 16, 1912, Morris played for the United States team at scrum-half in its first capped match—a 12–8 loss to Australia.[9] Morris served as the team's captain for this match.[10]
In 1913, Morris did not return to the University of California rugby team.[11] Over the course of his collegiate rugby career, Morris was described as "one of the grittiest halves that ever trailed a scrum," and as a member of "one of the most brilliant [back field] combinations ever seen on the Coast."[12] As a member of the class of 1913, Morris was a member of the Winged Helmet and Golden Bear honor societies at the University of California.[13] [14] Morris died on August 19, 1954, in San Francisco, California.