Jim “The Rookie” Morris

Keynote speaker Jim Morris’ Cinderella story is testimony to the power of dreams and their ability to inspire and transform human life. His story is the subject of the blockbuster film from Walt Disney, “The Rookie,” starring Dennis Quaid which won the ESPY for Sports Film of the Year.

Originally a top prospect, speaker Jim Morris’s career in baseball was derailed by injuries and immaturity at the age of 24. He got married, raised a family and eventually became a high school physics teacher and baseball coach in southwest Texas. At the age of 35, Jim made a bet with his struggling high school baseball team: If they won the district championship, then he would go try out for a major league team. Miraculously, his team won the district championship and Jim went to a tryout, where he threw twelve consecutive pitches at 98 mph.

Three months later, Jim realized his long-lost dream of becoming a major league player when he struck out All Star Royce Clayton in his first major league appearance in front of family and friends back in Texas.

The Rookie

Jim Morris’s Cinderella story serves as testimony to the power of dreams and their ability to inspire and transform human life. Jim’s meteoric rise from 35 year old high school teacher to flame throwing major league pitcher in 3 months made cinematic history with the release of the Disney movie “The Rookie”. Hearing Jim tell his story about chasing your dreams and keeping your promises is more entertaining than the legendary film about his life. Jim draws lessons from his own life experiences to inspire others to become mentors and leaders in their own lives and to chase their dreams.