GIFT THAT KEEPS GIVING

For Scott and Liz Morris, being a Zag is a source of pride – it’s a certain set of qualities that are distilled through the environment at GU, a place that’s become core to their sense of home after decades in Spokane.

“[Former Gonzaga Athletic Director] Mike [Roth] always said it best – that in athletics, the Zags win on the field, in the classroom and in the community,” recalled Scott, an alum and former CEO of Avista. “And every team conducts themselves that way. Every coach has taken that philosophy to heart … that’s the big piece of why Liz and I are so committed to athletics.”

And in the time, the two have exemplified the ethos of giving back through immense generosity that has left an indelible mark on both athletics and the school as a whole. The story of Scott and Liz Morris is one that intertwines their personal passions and a deep-rooted commitment to making a difference. Their shared love for Gonzaga University that has brought them closer to the heart of the community, and it’s kept them plenty busy. Both Scott and Liz are proud alumni of Gonzaga, and their experiences as students played a pivotal role in shaping their desire to give back. The pair were married in GU’s Jesuit house, where their four children were later baptized.

If you ask them, the school has left just as much of a mark on them as they have left on it.

“They provided us with lifelong friendships and that’s something that you don’t see very often,” Liz said. “We’re very, very grateful for it.”

As we’ve all witnessed over the past two decades, the unique role of Gonzaga Athletics in shaping and expanding the school’s brand and reach can’t be understated. Strong academics and competitive programs are both great points of emphasis, but both Scott and Liz agree that there’s something more to what denotes a “Zag”. Understanding the transformative power of sports, the Morris’ have become catalysts for leveraging Gonzaga’s ability to produce professionals who can make a positive impact on the communities they move on to.

And if they return to Spokane and/or Gonzaga to become part of it all, then it’s all the better.

“It’s a real connection that the university has with the community and they don’t seem to be losing sight of that — they’ll continue to foster and support it,” Liz said.

“When you go to other athletic venues and watch things, sometimes you get that feeling that they love the team for the sport. I think Spokane really loves Gonzaga for who Gonzaga is and what it’s brought to the community and also the sport.”

Since 1980, the Morris’ contributions to Gonzaga Athletics have been multifaceted, driven by a genuine passion for the university’s mission of holistic education and service. They’ve made significant financial contributions that have funded state-of-the-art facilities, enhanced academic support programs, and provided scholarships to deserving studentathletes. Their generosity has helped Gonzaga attract top-tier talent, enabling the university to compete at the highest levels and foster a culture of excellence.

“One of the first things that we put our money into was more support services for the student athletes so that they could complete their degree on time and then start giving back to the community in other ways other than just athletics,” Liz said. “And Gonzaga really makes sure that they get the training ground for that by involving them in community activities and mandating that they be a part of solutions in the community – they take that into their life after graduation.”

Moreover, the Morris’ generosity extends beyond Gonzaga – they’ve made significant donations to various charitable organizations, focusing on causes such as education, healthcare, and community development. Their contributions have enabled access to quality education for underprivileged students, supported medical research initiatives, and revitalized struggling communities. In collaboration with Gonzaga’s College of Arts and Sciences, the Morris Undergraduate Research Fellowship was established. This program provides students with opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research across diverse disciplines, empowering them to

We are incredibly grateful for Scott and Liz’s leadership and generosity over the last three decades,” Gonzaga Athletic Director Chris Standiford said. “As Gonzaga alums, they embody the mission and Jesuit values that guide our department and University. Scott and Liz’s holistic view of student-athlete support helps them be successful academically, athletically and to be the best version of themselves in life beyond GU. We appreciate their passion and commitment for Gonzaga.

CHRIS STANDIFORD Athletic Director

pursue their academic passions and make meaningful contributions to their fields. That magical moment in 1999 was the first time Gonzaga had truly represented itself on the national level, and as the Zags’ basketball prowess has accelerated to an elite level in the decades since the Morris’ have seen the advancements GU athletics have made possible everywhere in Spokane. To Scott, continuing to push the boundaries of GU’s reach and reputation isn’t just for show – it’s leverage for constant improvement, seeking new ways that the university can do more for the people and communities it serves.

“It isn’t just, ‘Let’s just be the best basketball program in the country,’” Scott said. “It’s, ‘Let’s be the best athletic department in the country ... Let’s have the best academics in the country. Let’s make sure our students have the best education and Jesuit values in the country.’”

“That national prominence is really a big piece, and it’s broad -- it isn’t just singularly focused. And that’s what makes Gonzaga so special.”

Scott was elected to the Board of Trustees in 2004 and served until 2021, for a total of 17 years. Scott was elected as Board Chair in December 2015 and served in that capacity for three years, until December 2018.