KELLIE

On any Wednesday afternoon you might catch the Quad Crushers, a wheelchair rugby team, practicing at Middle Tennessee State University. Even during practice, chairs collide on the court, evidence of the fast-paced, fiercely competitive full contact, co-ed wheelchair sport that Kellie Morris enjoys.

Kellie has been an athlete her entire life. Growing up through high school she was on the basketball and softball teams and played rugby in college at the University of Tennessee. She fell in love with rugby, which proved a great way to make friends and alleviate stress, because hitting your competitors on the field and remaining friends after a match is all part of the game. After sustaining a spinal cord injury from a diving accident in 2012 during her second year of college, it took a year before she was ready to try playing sports again. Once she did, athletics has been back in her life ever since. In addition to wheelchair rugby, Kellie’s been involved in wheelchair football and sled hockey and has softball and water skiing still on the list.

When she’s not working at Bass Pro Shop or the community recreation center, she’s either in a tournament, enjoying off road hand cycling, working out or attending some type of concert. She has seen her favorite band, Paramore, 17 times. Kellie and her dad also have Nashville Predators season tickets.  

A recent MTSU graduate with a business degree, Kellie plans to move back to her home state of Ohio this spring. While she admits life is extremely different following her accident, she emphasizes the importance of living the life you have, never doubting yourself and being determined to make the best out of any situation. Her performance-driven, active lifestyle showcases her philosophy in action.