SPORTS

YORK DAILY RECORD THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012 Cornerback Stephon Morris said his father is my everything ... my heartbeat.
By FRANK BODANI fbodani@ydr.com

Grinnell guard sets NCAA scoring mark, 5B

WITH NFL, GOLF

PSUs Morris shaped by fathers lessons

shape not only his life but also that of another. The mother of his baby boy didnt want to be a parent. And so he would raise him. While Roman Morris worked his day job near Washington, D.C., his mother took care of the 2-month-old. But as soon as he came home in the late afternoons, I was Mr. Mom. Wed have fun. Wed roll around on the floor and play and hed drink his milk and Id sing him a song. He had a structured bed time, always 8 oclock. It was hard, but you know what? Id do it all over again for that special little boy. This is how Penn States upbeat, undersized, speak-his-mind cornerback got his start.

PSU kickoff
What: Wisconsin (7-4, 4-3 Big Ten) at Penn State (7-4, 5-2) Where: Beaver Stadium (107,282) When: Saturday at 3:30 p.m. TV: ESPN2 Radio: WSBA-910 AM, WHVR1280 AM

He was a 21-year-old new father working a hospital loading dock job. Thats when Roman Morris was forced into a sudden decision based on faith, one that would forever

This is how Stephon Morris is getting to the end: Two days after Thanksgiving, with the Wisconsin Badgers in town, he will run out of the Beaver Stadiyoung man, it figures to bring some um tunnel for the final time. For such an emotional, heartfelt tears and weak knees. See MORRIS, page 5B

It all comes after seemingly conquering everything thrown at him after the Jerry Sandusky scandal broke. After losing his head coach, his bowl game, his teammates and the first two games of the season. So in his final news conference appearance before this final game Saturday, he poured out his feelings like most never do. He spoke of his father, of the NCAA sanctions and of growing into a team leader.

CHERISH?
WHAT DO YOU

JOHN CLAYTON

George Updegraff has competed in the Special Olympics for more than 20 years. In 2011, he was selected for the state Special Olympics Hall of Fame. His hall of fame plaque symbolizes all those years of victories, as well as the friendships hes developed.

Fifty Special Olympic medals later, one athletes hall of fame plaque symbolizes friendships, victories and more.
By JIM SEIP jseip@ydr.com

Games&gold
Name: George Updegraff Age: 34 Works at: Giant in Manchester Object he cherishes: Plaque commemorating his induction into Pennsylvania Special Olympics 2011 Awards: More than 50 Special Olympics medals since he started competing in 1985. Sports: Competed in basketball, bowling, floor hockey, soccer, softball and track and field. Next up: He hopes to qualify for nationals in bowling.

DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY NEWS KATE PENN

Get to know George

eorge Updegraff, 34, started competing in Special Olympics when he was 7. He went for the most obvious reason: It sounded like fun. I got to be around other kids, Updegraff said. He competed in the softball toss in his first year. But he stuck with it. Watch at Why? The friendships, Updegraff said. People from around the county have been behind me 100 percent. Most nights he can be found supporting Central York athletes or the York Revolution baseball team, but he also has been able to carve out an impressive resume at the Special Olympics. He has won more than 50 gold, silver and bronze medals in

ydr.com

basketball, bowling, softball, soccer, track and field, and other sports. He opened a letter in 2011 notifying him that he had been selected for enshrinement in the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Hall of Fame. It surprised him. I didnt think I was going to make it this far, Updegraff said. My mom told me, Congratulations, you made it. And she was happy, too. His hall of fame plaque is something that symbolizes all those years of victories, as well as the friendships hes developed with all his coaches.

s best he can remember, it happened by accident. On the baseball field, West Yorks Brandon Kinneman had always been a southpaw a left-handed first-baseman and pitcher. Then, when he was 8, Kinnemans friends asked him to come play pee-wee football. He seemed smart, so coaches stuck him at quarterback. Thats when a funny thing occurred the southpaw started to throw right-handed. It wasnt intentional. He didnt realize he was doing it. It just happened. Thats just how its been, Kinneman said at West York football practice this week. Its stuck. Now, nearly 10 years later, the senior quarterbacks ambidexterity continues to serve him well. Last spring, Kinnemans left arm helped hurl West Yorks baseball team to a Class AAA state championship. He was the No. 2 pitcher, with a 2.05 ERA in 51 1 3 innings. This fall, Kinnemans right arm has powered the Bulldogs football teams run back to the District 3 Class AAA semifinals. Secondseeded West York (12-0) will host third-seeded Susquehanna Township (10-2) at 7 p.m. Friday with a trip to Hersheypark Stadium on the line. Its weird. A lot of people ask me about it, Kinneman said of his two-handedness. I dont really know how it happened. The setup, while unique, has actually been beneficial. Especially during the late spring and summer, when baseball overlaps with preseason football workouts.

QB has unique skill

High school football

See FOOTBALL, page 2B George Updegraff of Springettsbury Township has won more than 50 bronze, silver and gold Special Olympic medals. His hall of fame plaque symbolizes his induction and the friendships hes made along the way.
DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY NEWS KATE PENN

Fridays games
District 3 Playoffs Class AAA semifinal Susquehanna Township at West York, 7 p.m. Class AA championship Bermudian Springs vs. Wyomissing at Hersheypark Stadium, 7 p.m. Class A championship Delone vs. Steelton-Highspire at Hersheypark Stadium, 1 p.m.

I didnt think I was going to make it this far.

Cowbell crackdown On our blog

GEORGE UPDEGRAFF, 50-medal Special Olympian inducted into the state hall of fame

Snapshot

Policy forbids noisemakers Meet the newest Lions

The last word

OXFORD, Miss. The University of Mississippi doesnt want to see any cowbells at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium during the Egg Bowl on Saturday. The school sent out a statement saying that cowbells are strictly prohibited in the stadium during the annual football game between Ole Miss and Mississippi State, citing the Southeastern Conferences artificial noisemaker policy. The statement adds that fans who see cowGIVE IT BACK: Tufts University rescinded bells inside the stadium can send a text mesthe honorary degree it had bestowed upon sage to 69050 and write Rebs cowbell (insert Lance Armstrong after he delivered the section and row). schools commencement address in 2006.

Get to know Penn States next crop of football players on our 2013 recruiting class section of the Nittany Nation blog. Check out www.yorkblog.com/psu/ 2013-recruiting-class to see who has committed to play for new coach Bill OBrien. Weve got short bios, videos, rankings and more for each player. We also keep track of the players who changed their commitments in light of the NCAA sanctions levied on Penn State. Want more Nittany Lions? Join Frank Bodanis PSU football chat every Monday night at 8 to dish about the latest rumblings on the blog, www.yorkblog.com/psu.

When youre a player, its your job to make the team happy. Its not the teams job to make you happy. Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz, after benching No. 2 receiver Titus Young for todays game for unacceptable behavior.

NOVEMBER 23
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