Longtime court-side fixture honored

When it comes to supporting the home team, Betty Morrison is a step above the rest.

​She now carries with her the designation of Rocky Grove High School basketball's "most loyal fan."

On Friday night, Morrison was honored with a plaque of appreciation for "50 plus years" of attending games at The Nest.

Rich Mulholland presented her with the gift during halftime but refused to reveal how old Morrison is and underscored how long she had been cheering from the wooden bleachers of the high school gymnasium. ​

Morrison was surprised by the honor, but not shy about sharing how long she has been rooting for the Orioles. "I started here watching the games in '49 when I was just in tenth grade," she said. If you are doing the math, that's heavy on the plus side of the "50 plus" years Mulholland mentioned. In fact, it is 74 years since the 89-year-old watched her first game at Rocky Grove. ​

"I missed a few years and things because of raising my children (but) I've been here most all these years," she said. "It seems like forever in my life."

She said she tells players now that she watched their parents and grandparents play. And she has watched  her own children and grandchildren too.

"I've been here on these bleachers for many, many years," Morrison said.

Now a fixture in the front row of the home side of the gym, Morrison says she used to sit up top before the steps got to be too much. The front row position made it easy for her to stroll out to center court to accept her plaque in front of her family, friends and a standing ovation of fans from both teams. Many of those in the stands broke out into a chant of her nickname Bet as she waved to the crowd and accepted some hugs from her loved ones.  

At the start of the short ceremony, Mulholland introduced Morrison as "someone who has meant a great deal to Rocky Grove." She says the feeling is mutual.

"I've enjoyed every bit of it... everyone has been so kind," she said.