Morris Schachnow was born in Vienna but spent most of his youth in New York City where he played baseball. Morris was one of the select few to be signed to a professional baseball contract with the New York Yankees organization. He played for Yankee farm teams in Missouri, Kentucky and Illinois in 1954. Morris’ baseball career came to an end after a knee injury.

He settled in Ottawa with his wife Shelley and became a champion in basketball, handball, and softball. Morris played in a number of City basketball leagues in the 1960s - 1970s. In 1958 and 1959 he was leading hitter in the Jewish Men’s Softball League.

He was player-coach of the J.C.C. men’s basketball team winning the Inter-City league championship in 1962. Morris was also a handball player par excellence. He won the J.C.C. “B” Division Handball Championship in 1964, the City Handball Championship in 1965 and was awarded the ACT award for handball in that year. He went on to win the City handball title for the next 10 consecutive years (1965-75). In 1966 he also won the City doubles championship with Gerry Polowin. He repeated the feat in 1985 with Norm Glube. In 1965 and 1966, Morris won the J .C.C. Sportsman of the Year award.