Lines From Linda

As a rule, I do not travel east of Palm Springs between November 1st and May 1st, unless my destination is south of the Mason-Dixon line. I hate cold weather! And, from past experience, I know April weather during Masters week in Augusta can be iffy, at best.

After a two-night stay in Atlanta with #1 Geezer Furman Bisher, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and his lovely wife, Lynda, son Bill McCoy and I headed to Reynolds Plantation on April 7th in rain, near freezing temps, and SNOW. Connecting with our Reynolds friends, Linda and Bill Dudley, we layered ourselves with scarves, gloves, vests and sunscreen (just in case) and headed to Augusta for the Par 3 tournament on Wednesday.

The Golf Writers Association of America (GWAA) 37th Annual Awards Dinner was Wednesday night, April 8, at the fabulous Savannah Rapids Pavilion (SRP), perched on an 80-foot bluff overlooking the beautiful Savannah River and the Historic Augusta Canal. Sandy Boner, SRP Manger of Rental Facilities & Venues, gets mega kudos from our foursome!

In tandem with Ron Sirak, executive editor of GolfWorld magazine and Jeri Gargano, ASAP Sports Vice-President, Marketing, it was my distinct honor to present Juli Inkster with the ASAP Sports/Jim Murray Award this year.

It was a fabulous reunion with the golf scribes, plus dear friends and honorees Jack (and Barbara) Nicklaus, Jay Haas, Furman Bisher, and Art Spander who received the PGA of America Lifetime Achievement Award.

Saturday, April 18, 2009, was the “Sports Dinner Buffet with the Buffalo Bills” benefiting the Jim Murray Memorial Foundation at Ilio DiPaolo’s sports restaurant, 3785 South Park Avenue, Blasdell, NY 14219 www.iliodipaolos.com. Thank you, Bills Assistant Coach/Speial Teams, Bobby April.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009, St. Bonaventure University hosted its biennially Dick Joyce Sports Symposium at The Russell J. Jandoli School of Journalism and Mass Communication in Olean, NY, sponsored by Bona grads Jim Kendrick, ’60 (Joyce’s classmate) and Chris La Placa, Sr., VP. Corporate Communications, ESPN, Inc. J-school dean, Lee Coppola, put together a fabulous line-up of sports and media gurus to discuss “How Television Views and Covers Sports.” Bonaventure’s Director of Athletics, Steve Watson, gave Welcome remarks. Mark Kriegel, national columnist, FOXSports.com, was an outstanding Keynote Speaker. Actually, Mark had everyone spellbound with his riveting remarks.

Other participants were NBA columnist for Yahoo! Sports, Adrian Wojnarowski, Vic Carucci, Senior Columnist/NFL.COM, Jeff D’Alessio, editor-in-chief, Sporting News, Steve Arvan, director, Time Warner Cable Sports Media, Bona grads Mike Vaccaro, sports columnist, New York Post, and Jim Marchiony, Associate Athletic Director External Relations, University of Kansas.

En route back to L.A., I stopped in Chicago to meet with Clark Bell, Director, Journalism Program, McCormick Foundation (MF) and Donald Cooke, Senior Vice President, Philanthropy, at the MF. Former L.A. Times Publisher *David Hiller, who serves on the MF Board of Directors, also attended the meeting. The McCormick Foundation has been a solid grant supporter of the Jim Murray Memorial Foundation for the past 10 years, and continues to champion our journalism scholarship program.

*Congratulations, David Hiller! On MAY 18, 2009, the Board of Directors of the McCormick Foundation announced the appointment of David D. Hiller as president and chief executive officer, effective in July. Hiller replaces David L. Grange, who will be retiring at the end of June.

Saturday, April 25, 2009, the Third Annual Jimmies Invitational Charity Golf Tournament at Tijeras Creek Golf Club, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., benefiting the JIM MURRAY MEMORIAL FOUNDATION, was a fun-filled day. Nearly $1,400 was raised for our journalism scholarship program. Thanks to all the participants and volunteers who helped make this year’s event the best!

The next day, Sunday, April 26th, my dear friends movie producer, writer, actor Kim Waltrip and The Desert Sun’s society news director Betty Francis, (and prima ballerina Valerie Mahabir, founder of the Desert Youth Ballet) were honored by the National League of American Pen Women luncheon at Wally’s Desert Turtle.

Now a word about our new JMMF Board member, Erin Gilhuly.

Erin is the founder of CV Strategies, a Southern California-based strategic communications firm specializing in building and implementing comprehensive communications programs. Prior to starting the company, Gilhuly spent nearly two decades in broadcast newsrooms across Southern California. Most recently, she was News Director at KPSP Local 2, the CBS affiliate in Palm Springs. A Los Angeles native and a graduate of USC’s School of Journalism, Erin lives in Indio with her husband and three children.

“I am truly privileged work with a group of individuals so deeply committed to celebrating good storytellers,” says Erin. “It’s legends like Jim Murray who taught me how crucial writing and reporting skills are to America’s newsrooms and its audiences. It is absolutely thrilling to continue his remarkable legacy through this appointment.”

Murray Scholars celebrating June birthdays:

June 4th Orr Shtuhl – 2006 Murray Scholar, UNC-Chapel Hill
June 8th Gabe Khouli – 2007 Murray Scholar, Ball State University
June 15th Peter Bulger – 2005 Murray Scholar, University of Montana
June 24th Adam Karon - 2000 Murray Scholar, UCLA

Congratulations 2009 Murray Scholar graduates!

The ASSOCIATION FOR WOMEN IN SPORTS MEDIA CONVENTION (AWSM) was May 22-24, in PHILADELPHIA at the Crowne Plaza Philadelphia-Center City. We owe major thanks to Title Sponsor ESPN, plus MLB.com/MLB ADVANCED MEDIA, The Miami Herald, and The New York Times.

The National Constitution Center hosted the Opening Night Reception where we enjoyed a special screening of “Freedom Rising”, plus exhibits. Sports Illustrated’s senior writer, Selena Roberts, was the guest speaker.

Tonya Antonucci, Commissioner of Women’s Professional Soccer, spoke at Saturday’s breakfast. Antonucci spent more than seven years with Yahoo, Inc. She was director of Yahoo! Sports and Yahoo! Fantasy Sports, that she was instrumental in launching.

At the Saturday night dinner, two-time world champion hockey player, Caitlin Cahow, entertained AWSM members and guests with stories of her life experiences. Growing up outside New Haven, Conn., Cahow, 24, played boys youth hockey and girls club hockey. She went on to play at Harvard, where she played both hockey and lacrosse. She not only coaches players of all ages and abilities year-round and is general manager of a summer hockey team of high school and college players, Cahow writes a column for Ice Magazine.

The Miami Herald sports columnist, Linda Robertson, received the Mary Garber Pioneer Award at AWSM’s Sunday luncheon at Maggiano’s Italian restaurant. The annual award recognizes those who have paved the way and serve as role models for women in sports media.

Topics discussed at the convention were “Changing Careers with Grace”, “The Changing Face of the Sports Media Business”, “Crossing over into Academia”, Integrating Content Across Platforms”, “Pitching Stories in a Digital World”, and “Beyond Basic Blogging.” A few of the Moderators/Panelists for general sessions and breakout sessions were Rosa Gatti and Claire Smith of ESPN and Jena Janovy, ESPN.com, David Sell, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Terry Taylor, The Associated Press, Marie Hardin, Malcom Moran and Lori Shontz of Penn State University, Tom Jolly and Jason Stallman, The New York Times, Lindsay Jones, Denver Post, Jane McManus, The Journal News, and Lorraine DeliCarpini, MLB Network.

I would be remiss if I didn’t share a few personal Philly experiences with you. After a missed connection at DFW, I caught up with AWSM members Julie Ward and Marie Hardin for a late dinner at the new Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House in downtown Philadelphia. General Manager, Shang Skipper, my dear friend who was summoned to Philly a year ago from Sullivan’s Steakhouse in Palm Desert, Calif., opened the new Del Frisco’s in November 2008 at 1426 Chestnut Street. Wow! Wow! Wow! What an absolutely fabulous dining experience in a BANK in Philadelphia’s historic Packard Building.

The next day, with walking map in hand, Julie Ward, recently retired deputy sports editor at USA Today, and I set out to see “Rocky” at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. We flexed our muscles for a Kodak moment.

We were then off to Boathouse Row, snuggled between Kelly Drive and the Schuylkill River. Lloyd Hall, Fairmount Park’s recreation center, is at #1 Boathouse Row. Eleven additional structures house rowing clubs who are members of the Schuylkill Navy of Philadelphia, the oldest athletic governing body in America.

Quite by accident, we stumbled onto the ever-popular Water Works restaurant above the Schuylkill River. This Greek Revival building, built between 1819 and 1822, was the first municipal waterworks in the United States. My first dining experience at Water Works was September 11, 2007. I could not believe my good fortune to return to the WW for lunch on this magnificent spring day.

Last by not least, a Phillies game on Memorial Day! Sportingnews.com baseball writer, Christine Carafalsa, and I headed out to Citizens Bank Park for the SRO Phillies-Marlins game. Even with a 5-3 loss, it was great fun to watch the 2009 World Series Champions play ball at home. We also stopped by to see two or the four 10-foot foot tall bronze statues of Richie Ashburn and Steve Carlton created by world-renowned sculptor Zenos Frudakis. Statues are of Phillies Hall of Famers Richie Ashburn, Robin Roberts, Steve Carlton and Mike Schmidt.

Please tell us how much you are enjoying the “Mondays with Murray” columns sent to you each Monday by Constant Contact, or better yet, visit the JMMF website, info@jimmurrayfoundation.org and click the DONATE button. Thank you!

And,finally, we are sad to report the passing of one of our dear friends and an original “Geezer”, Dan Foster, 80, on May 22. Dan retired in 2000 after 52 years at The Greenville News and The Greenville Piedmont. Annually he covered the Super Bowl, World Series, Masters and Kentucky Derby, and reported on his alma mater, Furman University, and the state’s two big sports universities — Clemson and South Carolina. Dan was a president of the National Football Writers Association, and in 1998, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association. He will be missed.

Have a safe and enjoyable summer.

Best to all,

Linda McCoy-Murray
President & Founder
Jim Murray Memorial Foundation

February was a short month compared to those months with 30 and 31 days and my calendar resembled that of a “cover-all” BINGO card except for two empty spaces.

On Tuesday, February 3, I had the pleasure of meeting Emmy Award-Winning PBS Journalist Charlie Rose at the Indian Wells, Calif. Desert Town Hall Speakers’ Series. “An Evening with Charlie Rose” was held at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa. Bob Walsh, the most fabulous general manger of the Esmeralda, invited me as his guest.

Charlie remembered having Jim Murray on his show back in 1993 when Jim was on book tour with “Jim Murray: An Autobiography”, and admitted it was one of his best shows. I’ve met presidents, dignitaries and many sports figures, but I must say, meeting Charlie Rose ranks at the top of my very special moments in life, and certainly beats whatever came in second and third.

The USC Annenberg School for Communication hosted a noon lunch on Thursday, February 12, for the Jim Murray Memorial Foundation. JMMF Board member Bill McCoy joined me for a “show and tell” of Jim Murray’s Pulitzer Prize, Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame ring, original copies of the two “Dummy” issues of Sports Illustrated and Sports Illustrated’s first official issue, dated August 16, 1954. The JMMF Scholarship Program was discussed with students in attendance. 2008 USC Murray Scholar Alex Herbach was on hand to tell his up close and personal story. USC currently has five Murray Scholars: Ryan Pearson (2000); Arash Markazi (2002); Ben Malcolmson (2004); Dallas Woodburn (2007), and Herbach (2008).

February 12 would have been Jim Murray’s 48th anniversary with the Los Angeles Times. From the JMMF archives, I shared the original LA Times sports section dated Sunday, February 5, 1961, announcing “Jim Murray to Write Feature Sports Column in Times” starting February 12.

JaBari Brown, Assistant Director, Undergraduate Student Services, pointed out another important BOLD headline above the fold, TROJANS HUMBLE UCLA, 78-63. USC’S high-scoring center at the time was John Rudometkin.

Another piece of memorabilia everyone enjoyed was the program from The University of Southern California Journalism Alumni Association’s (in cooperation with the School of Journalism) Ninth Annual Awards Dinner for Distinguished Achievement in Journalism, November 14, 1968, in the Grand Ballroom at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

Bob Crane, star of Hogan’s Heroes” was the Toastmaster; the Welcome given by USC President Dr. Norman Topping; and awards presented to NBC news broadcaster, Frank McGee; LA Times Syndicated Sports Columnist, Jim Murray, and William F. Buckley, Jr., editor, National Review, and syndicated columnist.

It was Friday the 13th but no one noticed. Superstitions were left at the door. I was the guest speaker at Rancho La Quinta Country Club’s “Breakfast with the Author” series, thanks to Rosanne McCamey, director of Membership/Social. Before signing “Jim Murray: Last of the Best” and “Jim Murray: The Great Ones”, compilations of Jim Murray columns published in book form, nearly 50 Club members gathered to hear and share their favorite Jim Murray stories. Jim’s picking on cities brought out the best in all the guests, but the favorite was, “Palm Springs is an inland sandbar man has wrestled from the rodents and the Indians to provide a day camp for the over-privileged adults.”

We at the JMMF send best wishes to Rosanne McCamey as she recovers from her recent open-heart surgery at UCLA Medical Center.

Tournament Director Judy Vossler commandeered me for a second year as a volunteer for the 21st Frank Sinatra Starkey Hearing Foundation Celebrity Invitational Friday, Feb 20-21. How can anyone say NO to Judy? I would jump off a cliff for her … well, almost! Plus, there is no better spot on either the Classic or Cove Course at Indian Wells Country Club than the Jack Daniels tent. Just to spend time with Angelo Lucchesi’s and hear his stories is a magical experience. Angelo, with Jack Daniels since 1953, was the first company salesman to market and sell the product, Sinatra’s favorite drink, outside of Tennessee. Angelo was Sinatra’s longtime friend.

JMMF advocate and Beverly Hills 213 columnist, Jim Bacon, 95, was the inaugural Tournament Grand Marshall. Way to go, Jim.

The JMMF has been exploring opportunities to work with creative writing programs at high schools, so when DooDee Rover, President Emeritus at Xavier College Prep School in Palm Desert, invited me for a campus tour on Monday, Feb 23, I didn’t hesitate.

Xavier College Prep is the first and only Catholic high school east of the Riverside/San Bernardino corridor and west of the Arizona border. It is also the first lay-built, Jesuit-endorsed high school of its kind and is associated with the six other Jesuit high schools in the California Province.

Established in 2006, Xavier College Prep currently has 235 students in 9th, 10th, and 11th grades. A 12th grade was added for the 2009-2010 school year and will graduate its first class in 2010.
*
Wow! Did we have an exciting morning at Los Angeles City Hall on Friday, Feb 27. Councilmember, 4th District, Tom LaBonge presented the Jim Murray Memorial Foundation with a beautiful Resolution recognizing the JMMF ~ and recipients of the Murray Scholars scholarship award ~ for its continuing contributions to the field of journalism. The Resolution is signed by Councilmember LaBonge, the Mayor, the President of the City Council and all Councilmembers. JMMF Board members attending the presentation were Helene Cohen, Bill McCoy and Arash Markazi, along with his fellow USC Murray Scholars Ben Malcolmson and Dallas Woodburn. JMMF supporters Joann Klonowski, Erin Gilhuly and Lance Watsky were also present.

Dallas Woodburn followed up with an email saying, “Dear Linda, I wanted to congratulate you again on what an incredible honor for the Jim Murray Memorial Foundation to be recognized and thanked by the City of Los Angeles! What a fantastic and exciting day! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of the ceremony at City Hall — I had a wonderful time! It was great to see you, as always, and celebrating with the other SC Murray Scholars and JMMF Board members was a blast. I am so proud to be a Murray Scholar!
Love, Dallas
*
On Sunday, March 22, Jim Murray was inducted (posthumously) into the California Sports Hall of Fame, along with Rosey Grier, Steve Garvey, Ann Meyers Drysdale, Karch Kiraly and Mike Powell.

Christian Okoye, president and founder of the CSHF and former All-Pro running back for the Kansas City Chiefs, staged a fabulous evening.
*
That pretty much wraps up February’s activities, except for a few Murray Scholar updates, and other honorable mentions.

• Gabriel Khouli (’07 Ball State Univ) is now Local Government Reporter at The Covington News
• Emily Gresh (’00 Trinity College) is now Associate Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at Trinity College-Hartford
• Kyle Austin (’08 Syracuse Univ) is wrapping up the last couple months of the school year, before heading to Detroit to cover the Tigers for MLB.com.

The JMMF has a new Board member. Erin Gilhuly, an Emmy award winning journalist with more than 18 years experience in the communications industry, is President and co-founder of CV Strategies. (media release to follow soon!)

March 13, 2009 http://scripps.com/foundation/news/rele ases/09march13.html
Scripps Howard Foundation Announces National Journalism Awards Winners

JOURNALISM TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Charles Davis, associate professor of journalism studies at the University of Missouri-Columbia, receives $10,000 and the Charles E. Scripps award. His school also receives a $5,000 grant. The award is given in cooperation with the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.

JOURNALISM ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR
Marilyn Weaver, chair of the department of journalism at Ball State University, Muncie, Ind., receives $10,000 and the Charles E. Scripps award. Her school also receives a $5,000 grant. The award is given in cooperation with the Association for Educati on in Journalism and Mass Communication.

Congratulations to Charles Davis and Marilyn Weaver who serve on the JMMF National Scholastic Advisory Council.

And, a quick reminder of upcoming events.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009, Linda McCoy-Murray will present LPGA Hall of Famer Juli Inkster with the ASAP/Jim Murray Sports Award at the GWAA Awards Dinner in Augusta, Ga.

Saturday, April 18, 2009, “Sports Dinner Buffet with the Buffalo Bills” benefiting the Jim Murray Memorial Foundation at Ilio DiPaolo’s sports restaurant, 3785 South Park Avenue, Blasdell, NY 14219 www.iliodipaolos.com. Those attending are Bobby April, Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams; Perry Fewell, Defensive Coordinator; Jon Corto, Bills Linebacker; Bryan Scott, Bills’ Safety (Penn State); and retired Bills’ players from the ’60s, ’70’s, ’80s and ’90s. St. Bonaventure University Murray Scholars will be on hand, along with SBU’s J-school deaN, Lee Coppola, JMMF Board member Helene Cohen and Linda McCoy-Murray.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009, St. Bonaventure University will host its bi-annual Sports Symposium. Linda McCoy-Murray and JMMF Board member Helene Cohen will attend.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009, St. Bonaventure University will host its bi-annual Sports Symposium. Linda McCoy-Murray and JMMF Board member Helene Cohen will attend.

Saturday, April 25, 2009, Third Annual Jimmies Invitational Charity Golf Tournament, Tijeras Creek Golf Club, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. to benefit the JIM MURRAY MEMORIAL FOUNDATION. Registration 11:00 am; Shotgun start 1:00 pm; Join us for a fantastic day of golf.
Sign-up: info@jimmiesgolf.com or www.jimmiesgolf.com.

Thanks for your support of the JMMF and its journalism scholarship program. We hope you are enjoying “Mondays with Murray” e-blasts. We love hearing your kudos, but most of all, we appreciate your donations (PAY PAL) to keep the JMMF financially sound. If you are not in our database, please contact us at info@jimmurrayfoundation.org.

Next edition of “Lines from Linda” will appear the end of April.

Best to all,

Linda

Is it really March?  March 2009?  January and February blew by me like Ashley Force at the Winternationals.  The JMMF March newsletter will be posted soon; meanwhile, here’s our January update.

I headed over to the Ontario (Calif.) Hilton for the Association of Automobile Race Writers and Broadcasters (AARWB) annual awards dinner on Saturday night, January 10th.  What fun it was to catch up with old friends Dusty Brandel, president of AARWB, retired racing PR guru, Deke Houlgate (read his new novel “Blood on the Wall”, Infinity Publishing) and wife Olga, who now reside in Carlsbad, Calif., T.E. McHale, manager of Motorsports Public Relations at American HONDA in Torrance, NHRA President Tom Compton and NHRA Director of Public Relations, Michael Padian.

What a delight it was to meet Chris Economaki’s daughter, Corinne, who reports great news that my dear friend, Chris, age 88, is doing very well in Midland Park, NJ. Former motorsports commentator, pit road reporter, and journalist, Chris is known as “The Dean of American Motorsports.”

Lois and Peter Bryant of Las Vegas introduced themselves and announced they have been receiving the JMMF e-blasts for quite sometime and enjoy reading Jim’s vintage LA Times columns. Peter’s company, Automotive Engineering & CAD Design, specializing in race car chassis & suspension design, has a new book out, “Can-Am Challenger”, foreword by Jackie Oliver, and published by David Bull Publishing. London-born Peter tells his own story in his own engaging style.

Backing up for a moment, dinner at the Ontario (Calif.) Firehouse was Friday, January 2.  JMMF Board member Helene Cohen outbid everyone at the JMMF annual silent auction for a chance to repeat a scrumptious dinner at the Firehouse prepared by firefighter Gilbert Ayon.

The Bob Hope Classic celebrated its 50th anniversary January 21-25 here in La Quinta. The 18th annual “Murray Media Pour” was held on Friday at my La Quinta home and enjoyed by my Fourth Estate pals.  LA Times sports columnist, Chuck Culpepper, based in London, here for a 5-week PGA Tour assignment, and AP’s LA bureau sports editor, Ken Peters, dazzled JMMF patron guests with sports amazing stories.

John “Noodle” Nadel is officially retired after 32 years with the Associated Press Los Angeles Bureau.  Some 150+ friends and co-workers attended a retirement reception for Noodle (an ASU Cronkite School alum) on Saturday evening, January 31, at the Stadium Club at Dodger Stadium. Ken Peters was a funny master of ceremonies, upstaged only by co-workers Justin and Sue who presented Noodle with joke gifts with the theme “New Career Options for John.”  Once again it was reunion time for me and I realized how much I have missed seeing former LA Times sports writer Steve Springer and AP’s fabulous premier courtroom reporter, Linda Deutsch.

2008 University of Montana Murray Scholar Bill Oram checked in the other day to say the lovely, historic Columbia Gorg Hotel, located on the Hood River, has closed abruptly due to foreclosure proceedings. Bill says the hotel in Oregon “… has long been where I intended to have my wedding (if the lucky lady were amenable). Bad news has struck: http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/02/landmark_columbia_gorge_hotel.html  “

Mark Viera, ’08 Penn State Murray Scholar, writes to us about the weather in Happy Valley. “The often sub-freezing temperature often has me California Dreamin’, thinking about that wonderful week in Los Angeles. But I am definitely enjoying my last semester at Penn State.”

After graduation, Mark will be moving to D.C. to work for The Washington Post as a college sports reporter. In the fall and winter of 2009-2010, he will be covering Virginia Tech football and basketball. Then, in the spring/summer of 2010 he will be helping to cover the Washington Nationals; in addition, working on enterprise and features.

Mark adds, “And, funny enough, Bill Oram will be joining me in Washington this summer, when he will be joining The Post as a sports intern. He e-mailed me right away with the good news, and I could not have been happier.”

It warms my heart to know the Murray Scholars really are a family and keep in touch with one another.

The Washington Post will have four Murray Scholars for at least this summer: Joshua Partlow (2001), Zach Berman (2007), Bill Oram (2008), and Mark Viera (2008). As Mark puts it, “That speaks to “the good deeds in promoting Jim’s legacy through our journalism scholarship program,” for which the foundation is rightfully being recognized.”

2006 University of Florida Murray Scholar John Cox reports he’s “ … now working for a newspaper up in New England. I’d do just about anything thing to go back in time and relive my trip out there (in La Quinta).”

I will be speaking to the USC Annenberg J-school students Thursday, February 12. a few USC Murray Scholars are expected to join in the discussions, and Geneva Overholser, director of the School of Journalism, USC Annenberg School for Communication, will give the opening remarks!  Watch for a full report and photos in the JMMF March newsletter.

You are all very much aware how really tough times are right now with the economy. But, you know the old cliché, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going!”  You might say the Jim Murray Memorial Foundation is not running sprints these days.  We’re up and running a proverbial marathon. Our journalism scholarships are very important for the next generation of sports writers who will continue to perpetuate Jim Murray’s legacy.

Won’t you please help sustain our fund raising efforts? If every Jim Murray fan made a token pledge, we would meet, and exceed, our goals for 2009 and beyond.  So, be a sweetheart during Valentine’s Day month … go to the JMMF website, www.jimmurrayfoundation.org, and click the DONATE button and support the JMMF.  I thank you so very much.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Linda McCoy-Murray
President & Founder

We at the Jim Murray Memorial Foundation ushered in the New Year 2009 while reflecting on the JMMF events of 2008.

Our JMMF 10th anniversary events were many, starting with a JMMF outing at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club on August 16. Del Mar President Joe Harper rolled out the red carpet in the Directors’ Room to a dozen JMMF guests for a “Remembering Jim Murray” day at the races.

The following day, the Los Angeles Dodgers hosted a “Tribute to Jim Murray” at Dodger Stadium. JMMF Board members Bill McCoy, Helene Cohen and Arash Markazi were on the field with me as I threw out the first pitch. The next day the Dodgers traded me for Greg Maddux.

On September 15, I made a visit to Indiana University School of Journalism in Bloomington. It was a thrill to return to my Hoosier stomping grounds. After many years of working with Linda Long in Student Services at the Ernie Pyle School of Journalism, it was a pleasure to finally meet her, along with Dean Brad Hamm and his assistant, Judy Boruff. Prof. Jack Dvorak, chair of the J-school’s scholarship committee, and I found we have several mutual acquaintances, as did Nancy Comiskey, previously at the Indianapolis Star and now an Adjunct Lecturer who teaches Magazine Reporting and Newspaper Editing at IU. Ron Johnson, director of IU Student Media, is hoping to produce IU’s third Murray Scholar in 2009.

On Veteran’s Day, JMMF Board member, Helene Cohen, and I were in Lawrence, Kansas, for a first-time visit to University of Kansas. St. Bonaventure alum Jim Marchiony, now Associate Athletic Director of External Relations at KU, was a terrific host. We were Jim’s guests at the Jayhawks basketball game at Allen Fieldhouse. J-school faculty members Susanne Shaw, Scott Reinardy and Mike Williams are anticipating KU’s first Murray Scholar in 2009.

On October 29, the Southern California Golf Association inducted Jim Murray (posthumously) into its Hall of Fame.  What an honor it was to have LPGA Hall of Famer Amy Alcott join me for the presentation. Her remarks were poignant and entertaining.

The JMMF 10th Anniversary Awards Dinner at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills on October 30 was spectacular.  The 2008 Murray Scholars were honored, along with 2008 “Great Ones” Award honoree, Sugar Ray Leonard. Former USC and NFL quarterback, Rodney Peete, was on hand to present the award.  Fabulous NHRA drag racer Ashley Force received our 2008 Female Athlete of the Year Award, presented by her famous dad, NHRA drag racer John Force. JMMF 2007 “Great Ones” Award honoree, Luc Robitaille, presented his favorite sportswriter, Helene Elliott of the Los Angeles Times, with our 2008 Sportswriter of the Year Award.

Legendary sports photographer, Howard Bingham, accepted the JMMF 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award from his old pal, singer/songwriter Bill Withers. Who would deny they are a new comedy act on the horizon?

On November 28, Jim Murray was honored with the 317th Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. Bob Alexander, president of the Palm Springs Walk of Stars, presided at the 200 Palm Canyon Drive location. JMMF Board member Bill McCoy and I spoke at the unveiling, as many well-wishers lined the street.

The final 2008 JMMF event was a December 21st Birthday Brunch given for me at the home of my former Bel Air neighbor, Tim Misenhimer, and his co-host, JMMF Board member, Helene Cohen. Tim also celebrated his birthday on this “shortest day but longest night” date. In lieu of gifts, donations of nearly $1,800 were made to the JMMF. Not one gift was exchanged due to size, color or duplicates!

Also in 2008, Pay Pal was added to the JMMF website (www.jimmurrayfoundation.org) and we signed on to Constant Contact to make the JMMF newsletter more manageable.

As we move into the first month of 2009, JaBari Brown, assistant director of undergraduate student services at the USC Annenberg School for Communication, is selecting a January date for my campus visit to speak with the journalism students and faculty. Our five USC Murray Scholars will join in the discussions.

I will host the 17th annual “Murray Media Pour” at my La Quinta home the weekend of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.  The “MMP” was initiated in 1992 by Jim as an evening to “bend elbows and tell sporting tales” with a few of his golf writing colleagues. After Jim’s passing, I continued the “MMP” tradition. The names and faces have changed over the past decade, plus JMMF supporters, friends and neighbors are now included, making it an annual JMMF event.

Recognizing the current financial climate, many nonprofit organizations face fund raising challenges in 2009, including the Jim Murray Memorial Foundation. The JMMF Board of Directors voted to cut the number of scholarship awards from seven to five this year, and decrease the amount from $7,500 back to the original $5,000 per scholarship.

Through the Jim Murray Memorial Foundation, the next generation of sports writers will continue to perpetuate Jim Murray’s legacy. Our journalism scholarships are vitally important. We ask you to help sustain our fund raising efforts. If every Jim Murray fan made a token pledge, we would meet, and exceed, our goals for 2009 and beyond. And, for that, I thank you so very much.

Happy New Year!

Linda

***********************************************************************************************************************
“ It was remarkable that Jim was so aware of what was going on at the moment, yet simultaneously be so much ahead of his time.  Maybe that’s why he had so many fans.  That, and the fact that he could “spin a great yarn,” with a style all his own.
~ Jack Fertig, 8/23/08
************************************************************************************************************************
In their own words …

By Bill Oram
2008 Murray Scholar
University of Montana

Being honored as a Murray Scholar this year was one of the most unique and memorable experiences of my life. It was rather like a perfect storm of amazing events: From staying at the Beverly Hilton, to mingling with great journalists, to talking hockey with Luc Robitaille, to meeting Linda, it was truly a humbling few days.

Before receiving the award, as an outsider, I had only a slight idea of what Linda McCoy-Murray and the rest of the JMMF board did for student journalists — now I recognize the great importance of the organization. To take a group of young sportswriters and honor them in the name of Jim Murray, the ultimate Great One, is probably more inspirational to a young writer — particularly in these tough times for the newspaper industry — than anything else.

Personally, it was just a thrill to be recognized and experience the neat sequence of events in Los Angeles. In addition to meeting a boatload of celebrities — not just from sports and journalism either — Kato Kaelin was there! — I was also fortunate to make contact with five other phenomenal young sportswriters. Journalism is already a small enough world, but the 2008 class of Murray Scholars is even more so. I can’t tell you how valuable it’s been to have those young men, who live all over the country, as resources and confidantes.

Not only were the banquets a thrill for me, but for my parents as well. My dad still talks about how “Sugar Ray Leonard is the most famous person I ever met … ” and my mom has her share of stories as well.

I suppose the ultimate point I’d like to get across is a big “thank you.” Thanks to those who support the JMMF, to the board, to the judges who gave me the opportunity to join such an exclusive and tight-knit family, but most of all to Linda. As you already know, Linda does more to further the ideals of Jim Murray than I could have ever fathomed. It’s a tremendous honor, and incredibly humbling to have been included, this year.

Cheers to all and best wishes for a New Year.

Bill Oram

Oram presented McCoy-Murray a University of Montana football jersey with her name on the back. “Linda is the face of the whole (JMMF) thing,” he said. “I wanted to take her a little taste of Montana.”

*************************************************************************************************************************

After the October 30 JMMF 10th Anniversary Awards Dinner, Indiana University Murray Scholar Mom, Casey Sanserino of Fort Wayne, Ind., sent the following letter to Linda McCoy-Murray. With Casey’s permission, the letter is being shared with you.

Dear Linda,

I don’t think I’ll be able to express the intensity of my (our) gratitude.

When Michael called and told me about the $7,500 Jim Murray scholarship, I didn’t just cry like you were told, I sobbed like a baby. Michael is so thankful but really has no idea how long (years and years) it takes to pay back $7.500 worth of education. Linda and everyone else who works so hard – Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

I want to share a special experience from our trip with you. My mother, Pat MacLeod, died suddenly five years ago this November 30th. She was a beautiful writer. She wrote many wise and wonderful fables featuring “Henrietta Hummingbird.” We miss her greatly.

Shortly after arriving at the Beverly Hilton, Steve, Mike and I sat outside in the beautiful Oasis garden with our coffee and snacks – each in awe over where we were and what was happening in the next couple days. A hummingbird appeared and began drinking the nectar from the gorgeous Bird of Paradise blooms right behind us. She was beautiful!!! Steve started to get his camera and I thought, “You’ll never get a shot – she’ll be gone,” but by God, she stayed the longest time. Steve got his picture and she was on her way. I said to Michael, expecting him to laugh at me, “You know, Michael, that was Grandma. He so lovingly said, “I know.”

My mom would have loved to meet you. Thank you for living your life as hard as you do. Don’t stop. If I can ever be of any help to you, please ask.

Love,
Casey

May 2008

In the blink of an eye, spring arrived. I had to flip the calendar back to January 1st to find out how my time was spent on and off the road during the first quarter of the year.

The Bob Hope Chrysler Classic is a glorious PGA event in our desert, especially with La Quinta’s SilverRock Resort being added to the four-course rotation this year.

The 16th annual Murray Media Pour during Classic weekend was well attended by many of our favorite golf writers and the PR guys from Brener Zwikel & Associates. First-timers were Mark Lamport-Stokes, Reuters Global Golf Editor, and Jill Painter, sportswriter for the Los Angeles Daily News.

With little time to regroup, son Bill McCoy (JMMF Vice President) and I were off to Super Bowl XLII in Phoenix where we caught up with USC Murray Scholars Arash Markazi and Ben Malcolmson. This Super Bowl was by far the most exciting game I’ve ever seen … and I’ve been going to Super Bowls since 1970. The very best 2008 Super Bowl party was hosted by ESPN The Magazine where Arash, Bill and I caught up with our ESPN pals John Walsh, Chris La Placa, Rick Reilly, and we made a lot of new friends, including Mike Ryan, VP & GM, Community Newspapers/The Arizona Republic.

I was in the air again to Miami for the Association for Women in Sports Media (AWSM) convention February 8-11. Convention organizer Lydia Craver of the Miami Herald overwhelmed us with an incredible lineup of speakers, including Donna Shalala, University of Miami President, Donna De Varona, two-time Olympic gold medalist and member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame and Women’s Sports Hall of Fame. Dara Torres, four-time Olympic swimmer and trying for her fifth at the age of 41, was also a featured speaker. Kudos to Lydia and her committee.

We dined at fabulous South Beach restaurants with our good pal Dave Barry, humor columnist and author … and a Pulitzer Prize-winner … who happens to be married to Miami Herald sportswriter and AWSM member Michelle Kaufman.

I loved hanging out with my best chum Julie Ward, recently retired USA Today deputy sports ed, Penn State J-school pals Marie Hardin and Malcolm Moran, and reconnecting with some of the most AWeSoMe women in journalism, or in the world for that matter: Christine Brennan, Leslie Visser, Colleen McDaniel, Jenni Carlson, Gail Dent, Jennifer Overman, Juliet Macur, Jill Painter, Sherry Perez, Lee Nessel, and so many others.

University of Florida ‘05 Murray Scholar Andrew Abramson, now a sportswriter for the Palm Beach Post, joined me for AWSM’s Sunday luncheon featuring guest speaker, University of Miami President Donna Shalala. And, what a treat it was having new-best-friend Jay Rand at our table. Jay is director of public relations at Homestead-Miami Speedway, and a Hoosier, a la Indiana University-Bloomington.

It was heaven for me to be anchored in La Quinta for 31 solid days in March. No trains, planes or automobiles! The 2008 JMMF scholarship materials were sent electronically to our 29 J-schools across the country, and essay submissions were received in the office by the April 25 deadline.

Our seven judges, J.A. Adande, ESPN.com, Dan Bickley, Arizona Republic, Mike Harris, Associated Press, Jill Painter, Los Angeles Daily News, Leo Roth, Rocherster (NY) Democrat and Chronicle, Kevin Sherrington, Dallas Morning News and Mike Vaccaro, The New York Post, will have their results in by June 27, at which time the seven 2008 Murray Scholars will be announced.

To the envy of all my friends, I made my ever-so-often trip to The Masters last month, even though it was a short 2-day stay. The real purpose for my being in Augusta on Wednesday, April 9, was to present legendary golfer Gary Player with the ASAP/Jim Murray Sports Award at the GWAA awards dinner. It was a marvelous reunion seeing old friends Furman Bisher, Julius Mason, Ty Votaw, Beth and Ron Green, Sr., Marino Parascenzo (GWAA’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient), Larry Dorman, Jerry Tarde, ASAP’s president Peter Paul Balestrieri, among others.

My guests for the dinner were LA sports marketing guru Joann Klonowski, Reynolds Plantation socialite Linda Dudley (hubby Bill Dudley refers to the Lindas as L1 and L2!) and University of Florida ‘03 Murray Scholar Jill Martin, now a satellite operator booking domestic satellite feeds for CNN Sports.

I failed to mention that upon arrival in Atlanta on Tuesday, April 8, Jill Martin joined me for dinner, along with Arizona State ‘04 Murray Scholar Nicole Saidi, who also works at CNN. They had never met until our dinner at Seasons 52-Perimeter.

Our April 19th “Swing into Spring” luncheon at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort in Indian Wells, Calif., featured guest speaker Master’s Triathlete Cherie Gruenfeld, of Cathedral City, Calif.

Cherie captivated her audience with inspiring stories of leaving the corporate world sixteen years ago as a computer software business executive to train for marathons. Cherie has competed in 19 Ironman races, including the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii 14 times and has won the world title in her age group seven times. She is the first female over 55 years of age ever to break the twelve-hour mark in an Ironman and she did it in Hawaii, the toughest course in the world. Cherie will compete (again) in the Kona, Hawaii Ironman this October.

Memorial Day weekend is behind us now. Is next week really June 2008? We have lots of work to do before the JMMF 10th anniversary event this fall. The date has been changed to Thursday, October 30, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, so please mark your calendars.

My next blog update will hopefully be sooner than later. In the meantime, will the Los Angeles Lakers be the 2008 NBA Champions? Will Big Brown be the next Triple Crown winner? Will Phil Michelson keep winning golf tournaments?

More importantly, your financial support of the Jim Murray Memorial Foundation’s scholarship program is vitally important. Currently, 61 Murray Scholars, the next generation of sports journalists, are perpetuating not only Jim Murray’s legacy, but also the legacies of journalists all over the world.

Soon you will be able to donate through Pay Pal via the JMMF website, www.jimmurrayfoundation.org,. In the meantime, the mailing address is: JMMF
P.O. Box 995, La Quinta, CA 92247-0995. Thanks, everyone.

Best to all,

Linda

Linda McCoy-Murray
President/Founder
Jim Murray Memorial Foundation
A 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization
Federal ID#94-3331025

December 2007

Dear Friends ~

The Jim Murray Memorial Foundation (JMMF) extends its thanks to you for your generosity during 2007. Your philanthropic gifts have made a difference in providing scholarships (now numbering 56) to journalism students around the country. For a listing of participating colleges and universities, please visit our website: www.jimmurrayfoundation.org

August 16, 2008, will mark the 10th anniversary of Jim Murray’s death. “A Salute to the Living Legends of Sports & Media” awards dinner is being planned Thursday, September 18, 2008, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills, California. The event will also serve as a Murray Scholar Reunion for a total of 63 scholarship recipients. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend a most memorable evening.

As you consider your 2008 gift giving, please remember the Jim Murray Memorial Foundation. Your gift will ensure the continuation of our efforts to perpetuate the Jim Murray legacy.

We send all good wishes to you for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2008.

Best personal regards,

Linda

PHOTO: December 1, 2007, Murray Scholars’ Reception
The Residence Club at PGA West, La Quinta, California
L-R: Gabe Khouli,’07 Ball State; Zach Berman, ’07 Syracuse Univ.; Emily Ortman, ’06 Ball State; Liz Manring, ’07 Univ. of Missouri; Tom Bransfield, ’05 Trinity College-Hartford; Dallas Woodburn, ’07 USC; Josh Moyer, ’07 Penn State; Brittany Hughes, ’07 OU-Athens
Photo: Michael Cline Photography

Dear Friends:

Have you ever stopped to think how a smile impacts the lives of others or even your own life?

As the 2007 golf souvenir journal was being assembled, I couldn’t help but notice the unbridled enjoyment bursting forth from all the photographs. The 2007 Murray Scholars’ joyous smiles validate the Jim Murray Memorial Foundation’s (JMMF) mission just as the essay judges’ smiles seem to reflect the pleasure of their assignment.

We at the JMMF had a lot to smile about this past year:

* A $10,000 grant was received from Newman’s Own Foundation.
* Chapman & Associates Charitable Foundation, Pasadena, Calif., gave us a generous grant of $5,000 to support our scholarship program.
* The McCormick Tribune Foundation and the NFL Charities, Inc. renewed their Five-for-Five Patron Grants in the amount of $25,000 to secure one scholarship each for a period of five years.
* The St. Louis Rams organization renewed its Five-for-Five Patron grant in 2006.
* American Honda Motor Co., Inc. is in the fifth year of its grant commitment.

Recently, the JMMF Board of Directors voted to increase the amount of our scholarships from $5,000 to $7,500 for each of the seven essay winners, beginning in 2008.

Therefore, it is our mission to have all seven scholarships endowed through the generosity of JMMF board members, corporations, foundations, and yes, individuals who are passionate about the JMMF purpose. It takes time, energy, and money to reach our goals.

Of course, I also smile when I think of the three new journalism schools we added to our scholarship program this year: The University of Hawaii at Manoa, Penn State University and SUNY-Brockport. My American Airlines frequent flyer statements always remind me of the marvelous university visits I’ve made since early 2007.

More smiles come each morning as I sip my coffee from mugs I’ve collected during my campus visits, remembering the gracious hospitality I was shown by faculty and students.

No one had a bigger smile than 2002 USC Murray Scholar Arash Markazi when he was invited to join the JMMF Board of Directors in May, and with Bill McCoy’s appointment as Vice President of the Board, they bring youth and energy to the next decade of JMMF fundraising activities.

Next year, 2008, is the 10th anniversary of the Jim Murray Memorial Foundation. We shake our heads in disbelief, wondering how that could be. Ten years? Already?

A gala celebration is being planned for Thursday, September 18, 2008, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills, Calif. “The Living Legends of Sports & Media” will gather to honor the Jim Murray legacy, along with the 63 Murray Scholars who continue to perpetuate the Jim Murray spirit of journalistic integrity and creativity, and by wearing their Murray Scholar badge of honor with respect and dignity.

It should be a wonderful event so please mark you calendars.

It is with immeasurable gratitude that I thank all our sponsors, donors, and volunteers for their loyalty and generosity. I am especially and eternally grateful to my friend Arnold Palmer, who for nine years has graciously served as the honorary chairman of the Jim Murray Invitational Golf Classic.

I am extremely proud of all our Murray Scholars and those of you who help nurture the purpose of their chosen field of journalism. You are deeply thanked for supporting the goals of the Jim Murray Memorial Foundation. Smiles for everyone!

Warmest regards,

Linda

http://jimmurrayfoundation.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/sept-07-syracuse-unviersity-linda-07-murray-scholar-zach-berman-rosanna-grassi-assocdean-si-newhouse-school-of-public-comm.JPG

The JMMF is proud to welcome Penn State University, the University of Hawaii at Manoa and State University of New York-College at Brockport to its journalism scholarship program. Twenty-nine journalism schools now compete annually for seven $5,000 scholarships offered by the JMMF.

“Your program provides a great reminder of the importance of careful, fair, thoughtful and honest sports journalism, the way Jim went about his work for all those years,” noted Malcolm Moran, Knight Chair, Sports Journalism & Society, at the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism at Penn State. “We will work very hard to identify and support a candidate worthy of a scholarship as a Murray Scholar.”

Gerald Y. Kato, Associate Professor and Chair at the University of Hawaii at Manoa School of Communications proclaimed, “There can’t be a better role model than that for students aspiring to write about sports. The students should be as passionate about writing as they are about sports. That’s a lesson they can learn from reading Jim Murray.”

“SUNY Brockport’s student newspaper, The Stylus, was voted the best student newspaper in a student poll taken at the 11 SUNY colleges and the second best of the 30 universities in the SUNY system,” proudly explained Rick Woodson of SUNY Brockport’s Communications Department, who also teaches a sports writing course at the school.