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6 GROUNDCOVER NEWS COMMUNITY IMPACT Elmo Morales Lifetime Achievement Award Magnanimous x 1000 TOMMY SPAGHETTI Groundcover vendor No. 669 George Bailey, the fictitious character in Frank Capra’s 1946 “It’s A Wonderful Life,” receives a unique opportunity to see the world without his influence. In the golden-era cinematic expression, Bailey, a menial loan officer played by Jimmy Stewart, is taken on a surreal journey through Bedford Falls where he sees his own indelible contribution to the common good. Elmo Morales is Ann Arbor’s George Bailey because it’s hard to imagine Ann Arbor without Elmo Morales. My first attempt to interview Elmo was thwarted by an insoluble response, “I’m pulling back,” says Elmo. The silver lining on this dark cloud is; I’ve already traversed the 29 steps into the basement of Elmo’s T-shirt shop in Nickels Arcade, where 100 royal blue jerseys are waiting to be silk screened (I assume). Elmo immediately leads me back upstairs as if I tread on hallowed ground; pierced a veil that was not mine to see through. At the exit door Elmo reiterates his negative stance. “I’m fading out.” Flashing his phone to me he comes back saying, “I’m receiving a lifetime achievement award.” My response is, “That’s all I need for an article.” Elmo gives me his phone number and summarily texts the letter to my phone. It’s from the U-M School of Kinesiology: Elmo H. Morales Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award Biography The University of Michigan School of Kinesiology is proud to honor Elmo H. Morales Jr. (B.S. Physical Education, 1968) with a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of more than six decades of leadership, service, and innovation in education, athletics, health promotion and community building. Born and raised in the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City, Elmo Morales learned early the transformative power of opportunity. As a standout student-athlete at George Washington High School, his accomplishments in track and field earned him an athletic scholarship to the University of Michigan in 1964. Arriving in Ann Arbor with "two bags, a suit and a tie," he began what would become a lifelong commitment to the University and the surrounding community. At Michigan, Morales competed in track and field while earning his degree in Physical Education. His years as a student-athlete shaped a philosophy that physical activity is not merely about competition—it is a vehicle for education, confidence, health, and lifelong community engagement. His dedication to Michigan was recognized early when he received the School of Kinesiology Alumni Achievement Award in 1993. Following graduation, Morales embarked on a distinguished 30-year career with the Ann Arbor Public Schools. He taught physical education at numerous schools before spending the majority of his career at Clague Middle School and later Community High School. Thousands of students remember him not simply as a teacher, but as an enthusiastic mentor who believed every child deserved the opportunity to discover confidence through movement. Long before concepts such as lifelong fitness and inclusive physical education became common practice, Morales was creating engaging programs that encouraged participation by students of all abilities. His influence extended well beyond the classroom. During the early years of America's running boom, Morales helped transform the Ann Arbor Track Club from an elite competitive organization into one that welcomed runners of all ages and abilities. He became one of the principal founders and organizers of the now iconic Dexter– Ann Arbor Run, helping establish what has become one of Michigan's most enduring road racing traditions. His work introduced generations of community members to recreational running and demonstrated how organized physical activity could strengthen both health and civic life. Morales has always believed that movement should be accessible to everyone. Throughout his career, he championed activities that fostered intergenerational participation, including cycling, spinning, and later table tennis. His creation of Elmo's Ping-Pong Palace reflected his conviction that sport can improve coordination, cognitive function, balance, confidence and social connection while remaining joyful and welcoming to participants of every age and skill level. Outside education and athletics, Morales became one of Ann Arbor's most recognizable community figures through Elmo's T-Shirts. For decades, his downtown shop became much more than a retail store—it became a gathering place where University of Michigan students, alumni, athletes, artists and visitors from around the world connected through conversation, creativity and Wolverine pride. His life has also been marked by remarkable personal stories. Growing up in New York, Morales developed a lifelong friendship with fellow Washington Heights teenager Lew Alcindor, who would later become NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Years later, when Abdul-Jabbar visited Michigan as a highly recruited high school athlete, Morales served as his campus host during the recruiting visit. Morales often credits a childhood experience through the Fresh Air Fund with expanding his vision of what life could become. Spending a week with a host family outside New York, inspired dreams of college and opportunity that eventually led him to the University of Michigan—a story he has shared to encourage young people to recognize the life-changing impact that mentors and communities can have. Across more than sixty years, Elmo Morales has exemplified the highest ideals of Michigan Kinesiology. Whether teaching children, mentoring runners, organizing community races, promoting lifelong fitness, supporting local businesses, or simply welcoming visitors to Ann Arbor, he has consistently demonstrated that kinesiology is ultimately about improving lives through movement, education and human connection. Today, the University of Michigan School of Kinesiology recognizes Elmo H. Morales Jr. for a lifetime devoted to inspiring healthier communities, expanding access to physical activity and embodying the values of leadership, service and lifelong learning. His enduring legacy can be measured not only by races organized or students taught, but by the countless lives he has encouraged to keep moving forward. Congratulations, Elmo, and thank you for a lifetime of extraordinary service to the University of Michigan, the profession of kinesiology, and the Ann Arbor community. OCTOBER 16, 2026 Epilogue Elmo’s store is bristling with customers so I leave through Nickels Arcade and walk over to the A2D2 bus where it is waiting for me. I call Elmo’s phone and get treated to a voice announcement that has Elmo laughing hysterically, infectiously. I almost forgot the reason for calling; Oh yeah, an interview. ”Elmo, this is Tommy. I was hoping to find out the publication date you told me about when you were in Atlanta for a T-shirt conference." He never calls me back. A week later I am back in Ann Arbor as a pesky reporter for Groundcover News. Again, I attempted to talk to Elmo for an interview. Approaching Elmo on the sidewalk in front of Nickels Arcade, he is hustling hard to sell U-M material on a football Saturday. He spies me and dismisses me, stating “I’m busy.” I immediately self-reflect. For what despicable act did I earn this disdain? Just when I was about to give up, Marsha greets me with open arms. “Tommy!!” she calls out like I’m a longlost brother from another mother. Marsha is Elmo’s wife/partner and she not only hugs me with an ebullient smile but she plants a kiss on my bearded cheek. Wow! This is the best day of my life so far. All is forgiven and all is acceptable. The five questions I was going to ask Elmo: 1) When your mother Hilda rented those cheap apartments in Manhattan, how young were you and how many flights of stairs did you climb everyday? 2) Sports Illustrated featured you and Lou Alcindor/ Kareem Abdul-Jabar’s lifelong friendship. What date was that publication? 3) Your youthful visage does not match your eight decades of living. What do you credit your ageless appearance to? 4) How has Ann Arbor changed since 1964 when you first arrived? 5) What kind of pants do ghosts wear? (Paranormal Jeans.) Groundcover News intends to attend the October 16 ceremony and report on it, maybe I'll get the answers to these questions then. We encourage readers to listen to the AADL's Bicentennial interview with Morales, which can be streamed at aadl.org/ aadl_talks_to-elmo_ morales

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