Murphy was a walk-on wrestler during the 1960s, captaining the 1968 national champion team and as a senior in 1969 finished second in the 145-pound weight class. He was an honor student and beloved member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. While getting his master's degree, he competed in an East-West All-Star match in 1970 when he was thrown to the mat in an illegal hold and landed on his head, paralyzing him from the neck down.
On July 20, Murphy, 63, passed away as the longest living quadriplegic known to medical science.
“There were three things that prolonged Ray's life – his faith, his friends and his love for OSU,†said Jim Blazer, a fraternity brother and head of the Ray Murphy Fund. “Ray lived for all things OSU and he loved the university more than anything. He would listen to the radio if a game wasn't on TV or he'd go online and read about academics, sports, new facilities, everything. He would read articles in the newspaper. That's what Ray lived for.â€
After his death, OSU athletics was inspired to endow a scholarship in his name.
“Our goal is to reach $250,000,†said Dave Martin, senior associate athletic director. “It's the least we can do to honor such an amazing guy with an incredible will to live. He is such an inspiration to others.â€
This fund is expected to qualify for the Pickens Legacy Scholarship Match, which will provide a one-and-a-half-times match. Thus by reaching the goal of $250,000 in gifts and pledges, this fund would be worth $625,000 once fully endowed. For more information on the Pickens Legacy Scholarship Match, visit OSUgiving.com/PickensMatch.
“T. Boone Pickens was a very active donor to the Ray Murphy Fund when Ray was still alive,†Blazer said. “He has a heart bigger than what people realize. It's people like him and Ray Murphy who show so much compassion for OSU that truly inspires others.â€
The scholarship will be awarded to wrestlers exemplify Murphy's outstanding academics, positive attitude and passion for OSU.
“My only hope is that we give this scholarship to someone who has a heart for putting others before himself,†Blazer said. “He must first be a student, then an athlete just like Ray. I hope that we will be able to impact a student's life, just like Ray impacted mine and several others.â€
Direct donations to the fund are accepted at the OSU Foundation. Checks are payable to the OSU Foundation and note the donation is for the Ray Murphy Endowed Scholarship.
The OSU Foundation serves as the private fundraising organization for OSU, as designated by the OSU Regents. Its mission is to unite donor and university passions and priorities to achieve excellence.
Oklahoma's only university with a statewide presence, Oklahoma State University is a five-campus, public land-grant educational system that improves the lives of people in Oklahoma, the nation, and the world through integrated, high-quality teaching, research and outreach. OSU has more than 35,000 students across its system and nearly 21,000 on its Stillwater campus; with students from all 50 states and around 110 nations. Established in 1890, OSU has graduated more than 200,000 students who have made a lasting impact on Oklahoma and the world.
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