Murray earns prestigious ACAC honour

EDMONTON, ALTA., (May 8, 2019) – SAIT's Bob Murray has been named the 2018/19 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Athletic Director of the Year.

Murray, the Athletics Manager at SAIT, was given the award – based on leadership in sports administration - on Wednesday during the ACAC's Annual General Meeting in Edmonton, Alta.

"An honour like this is only possible because of those who are part of the larger team – staff, volunteers and student-athletes," Murray said about the award, which was implemented in 2016/17. "I also want to thank my family, who sacrifice so much to allow me to do what I do."

Murray, who has also served as the President of the ACAC since 2016, has been with SAIT for nearly three years. Before then, he spent nine years at Olds College – the last five as their Director of Athletics.

This past year was a successful one for the SAIT Trojans, and Murray played a large part in that, said the post-secondary's Director of Athletics and Recreation, Wade Kolmel.

The Trojans three-peated as ACAC champs in cross-country running (men's team), indoor track (men's team) and men's basketball. They also saw cross-country runner Matthew Travaglini earn both ACAC Conference and CCAA National gold medals for the second-straight season.

A silver medal was earned by the Trojans women's soccer team and cross-country runner Emilie Mann, while bronze medals were grabbed by SAIT men's volleyball, men's soccer and women's futsal teams.

Off the playing surface, Murray led the efforts to host both the ACAC Men's and Women's Soccer Championships, as well as the Indoor Track Championships, with both events earning rave reviews from fellow administrators, coaches and student-athletes in the ACAC.

The year also saw SAIT add both golf and futsal to their varsity program.

"Absolute congratulations to our teammate, Bob Murray," said Kolmel. "Bob had led our department, and the ACAC in an authentic and charismatic fashion. Always first to drive an idea that benefits post-secondary athletics, he has led from the top with a servant mentality – be it President of the ACAC, head of delegation, event organizer or committee member.

"We thank him for continually positioning the Trojans favourably, and for always advocating on behalf of post-secondary student-athletes. This honour is well-deserved."