A Proud Alumnus Earns National Wrestling Award
Don Murray lives and works 400 miles from Huntington, but he’s nonetheless proud of his longtime association with his alma mater. The veteran professor and wrestling coach at SUNY College at Brockport has been named the 2007 USA Wrestling FILA/University Person of the Year, a prestigious award given by the sport’s national governing body.
Mr. Murray is a member of Huntington’s Class of 1961. He went on to serve a stint in the United States Air Force and earned undergraduate and graduate degrees at Brockport. He’s been on the faculty there for nearly four decades.
“I am very proud to be honored by USA Wrestling,” Mr. Murray said. “Considering how many hard working people there are in the wrestling community, this award means a great deal to me. I’ll always be especially grateful to Lou Giani for helping me get my start in this sport.”
While Mr. Giani was busy training for the Pan Am and Olympic Games, he took Mr. Murray under his wing, teaching him the ins and outs of the sport and building a lifelong relationship between the two. They still speak and see other regularly since Mr. Murray frequently returns to visit the Oakwood Road home where his mother resides, walking distance from the high school.
One of the top wrestling coaches in the world, Mr. Murray has been a leader in the sport on all levels for a long time. In addition to coaching national teams that have competed in world tournaments, the mat mentor has hosted Olympic regional tournaments, coordinated competitions ranging from high school age through open divisions and been a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee for a seven year stretch. He also serves as Empire State Games director of the sport.
Through the years Mr. Murray has earned a number of honors, including the AAU Man of the Year Award and various teaching and service awards for his devotion to students and SUNY Brockport. He’s led U.S. teams across the globe, but at the end of the day, he is especially proud of his association with Huntington High School.
“My involvement with Huntington has spanned 50 years and I still feel very connected to the school,” Mr. Murray said. “I frequently visit it, attend events there and recruit Blue Devil student-athletes. I think it is a wonderful school.” Three of his former wrestlers include Huntington Assistant Superintendent Joseph Giani, Finley Middle School physical education teacher Travis Smith and Flower Hill physical education teacher Lou Giani.
Mr. Murray’s strength lies in being able to work with young people and motivating them to reach their full potential, including graduating from college. As a coach, he is one of the best. His teams have won five NCAA championships and 27 SUNYAC titles in the past 37 years.
Mr. Murray’s dual meet record stands at 280-67-6 and he has coached 131 All-Americans and 26 national champions. He is a member of several wrestling halls of fame and serves on several Brockport campus committees.
Over the course of his career Mr. Murray has been honored with two Brockport Faculty Senate proclamations for excellence, received the Brockport Student Government Award and been recognized with an Outstanding Service to the College Award for his academic work with students and their high graduation rate. “I intend to continue teaching and coaching at Brockport,” he said. “After all these years, I still love it.”
Comments or Questions? email the Public Information Office