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“I was shocked and embarrassed because I knew I would have to say something to the crowd,” says the humble Murray of the moment when he found out about the honor.
The naming ceremony, held during halftime of the CUA men’s basketball game against Drew University, was part of a day of events honoring Murray, who is 86 years old. The new name of the court was unveiled before a crowd of CUA and Drew University fans who responded with a standing ovation for Murray.
Later, at a dinner in his honor at the Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center, more than 300 guests heard funny and touching testimonials about Murray and saw him receive the President’s Medal — the university’s highest honor — from Very Rev. David M. O’Connell, C.M., university president.
Murray began working in the athletics department in 1947, earned a CUA English degree in 1950, and has served as the university’s sports information director and acting athletic director. However, he says that being equipment manager has been his favorite job because it has allowed him to interact with the students, who adore Murray as much as he seems to enjoy working with them.
Students and alumni who paid homage to Murray in a video tribute shown at the dinner described him as an “institution,” an “icon” and a “legend.”
Tina McManus Harrington (B.S.N. 1987) was an athletic trainer at CUA for three years and spent a lot of time at the DuFour gym, where she got to know Murray.
“He really would do anything for you if it was in his power: Lend you his car, give you a ride, buy you a soda, share his lunch,” she says.
One of her favorite memories of Murray involved surprising him with two tickets to a Frank Sinatra concert at DAR Constitution Hall. She had collected money from CUA athletes to buy the tickets for Murray, a huge Sinatra fan who had been trying to win tickets through a radio contest.
“It was a real treat to care for him, as he was always caring for us,” she says.
Murray’s love of Sinatra is well known among those whom he has befriended. Martin Connor (B.A. 1968, J.D. 1970) knew Murray while working part time as sports information director, serving as the sports editor of The Tower and judging diving competitions during his law school years. In 1983 he and his wife happened to pick up a couple of hitchhikers while driving in Ireland. When he asked the students where they went to school, they replied, “You’ve never heard of it: Catholic University.” When Connor told the students he also had gone to CUA, the students were skeptical and quizzed him.
“Who’s Franny Murray?” they asked.
“You mean the man with the greatest collection of Frank Sinatra recordings in America?” Connor replied.
“You did go to CUA!” the students exclaimed.
“Franny Murray was thus the secret password for generations of graduates,” says Connor.
When Connor brought his son to CUA for a campus tour in 2004, they went to the gym. While talking to a football coach, the alumnus heard someone say, “Marty Connor, how are you?”
“That Franny recognized me is astounding,” he says. “My son asked me later if I was bald, weighed 260 and wore glasses when I was in college.”
Nowadays Murray works a part-time schedule, coming in early in the morning and leaving around noon. While many people count the days until they can retire, Murray says he has no plans to leave CUA anytime soon.
“I think it helps me to keep working,” he says. “It helps to keep you young.” — L.C.
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