The Virginia Sports Information Directors Association (VaSID) announced it has named its Excellence in Sports Journalism scholarship for Virginia's Rich Murray.
Murray, the Associate Director of Athletics for Public Affairs, is in his 24th year as a member of the University of Virginia athletics department staff. The Rich Murray Scholarship for Sports Journalism will be presented annually by VaSID to a Virginia high school student who excels in the area of sports journalism.
Murray is a member of the College Sports Information Directors of America and the Virginia chapter (VaSID) of that group. He served as president of VaSID from 1983 to 1984.
"When we were thinking of a person to attach their name to this scholarship, it was a no-brainer," said Carol Hudson, the SID at Old Dominion and a former president of VaSID. "Rich Murray has been a person who represents the true ideals of our noble profession of sports information. I know of no classier or more professional individual than Rich. This is a much-deserved honor. He has meant a great deal to me as a colleague and as a friend."
Murray has worked with the men's basketball program during his entire time at Virginia. He continues to work with head coach Dave Leitao's program, but also serves as a public relations liaison for the department. He works with the department's senior staff on public relations initiatives and provides additional support in that area for Athletics Director Craig Littlepage.
"There is no one that is more appropriate to name the "Excellence in Sports Journalism" scholarship after than Rich Murray," said Littlepage. "Rich has earned the respect of the media, coaches, administrators, student-athletes, and the public as a result of his professionalism and caring nature. This is a great match and Rich is deserving of our congratulations."
Murray received the 1996 Bus Male Service Award, recognizing untiring and devoted service to Virginia athletics.
Murray came to UVa in 1983. Before that, he was the sports information director at James Madison University since 1972 and the school's public information director from 1975-1983. He also spent two years as host of the football and basketball coaches' television shows at JMU.
A native of Valatie, N.Y., Murray received his bachelor's degree in journalism from Washington & Lee University in 1971. Following graduation, he served as news director for WAYB Radio in Waynesboro, Va., where he handled the news operation and did basketball and baseball play-by-play.
Murray is married to the former Sara Tourgee of Harrisonburg, Va. The couple has two sons: Patrick and Colin.
The first award was presented to McGhee Cost (right) pictured below with Murray (left).
