Hempstead, NY – Hofstra University and the Department of Athletics mourns the death of Norm Murray, who passed away early Wednesday morning.
Murray began working at James M. Shuart Stadium in the 1950s, serving as a timekeeper. He started doing public address announcing in the 1960s, beginning a career that would see him announce Hofstra Football and Lacrosse, along with many high school events.
“Norm Murray embodied Hofstra Pride,” said Hofstra President Stuart Rabinowitz. His voice and his spirit will be a part of the fabric of Hofstra Athletics for all time. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”
“Norm Murray was recognized as the voice of Hofstra athletics at Shuart Stadium for many years,” said Hofstra President Emeritus James M. Shuart. “As someone who was also a long time personal friend, he will be greatly missed.”
“We are saddened to learn of the passing of Norm Murray,” commented Hofstra Vice President and Director of Athletics Jeffrey A. Hathaway. “Norm was a legend in the lacrosse world and someone who was synonymous with Hofstra Lacrosse. We will all miss him dearly. Our thoughts and prayers are will the Murray family and all those who knew and loved Norm. Those who follow Norm in the Hofstra Public Address booth will have to fill big shoes left behind by a consummate professional.”
“Norm Murray will be missed be so many people, as he has touched so many lives with his love of lacrosse locally, but especially here at Hofstra,” stated Hofstra Head Men's Lacrosse Coach Seth Tierney. “Countless number of people know him as THE VOICE of Hofstra Lacrosse, and we are very thankful for all that he has done for our great sport. Our program will miss him deeply.”
“Hofstra University was fortunate to have the voice of Long Island football and lacrosse as our announcer,” mentioned former Hofstra student-athlete, coach and administrator Harry Royle. “Long Island has been enriched by his community spirit and will always remember him as a great friend. I personally will remember my years of friendship with Norm and send my condolences to his family.”
Murray was a fixture at James M. Shuart Stadium, where his distinctive baritone voice greeted fans at many Hofstra and high school athletic events. He was the public address announcer for many of Hofstra's most historic victories and also worked games at Mitchel Athletic Complex since it's opening in 1984.
Murray continued to be the public address announcer at men's lacrosse games through the most recent season, where he worked his last game on Senior Day when Hofstra played Penn State on April 27.
Murray was a World War II veteran who joined the Navy and served in the Philippines and in Okinawa, Japan. Following an honorable discharge, he worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) from 1951 to 1975, serving in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, New York City and Marine Corps Base Quantico.
For 10 years, he worked as a hospital risk manager at Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, NY, until 1987. From 1987 to 2009 he supervised the Town of Hempstead's self-insurance system, where he monitored a system he helped start in 1980 under then-Town of Hempstead Supervisor (and future senator) Al D'Amato.
Active in the community, Murray served 10 years as president of St. Bernard's parish council was part of the founding group of the Levittown Red Devils youth football program, where he stayed active in supporting the youth league from 1953 to his death. He was elected president of the Levittown Public School Board in 1978.
Murray graduated from Boston College in 1950 with a degree in history and economics and earned a master's degree in history from UMass-Boston.
The public address booth at James M. Shuart Stadium was named in Murray's honor in 2000.
A wake for Murray will be held Friday, June 28, at Charles J. O'Shea Funeral Home in Wantagh, NY, from 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. A funeral mass will take place Saturday, June 29 at 10:45 a.m. at St. Bernard's Roman Catholic Church in Levittown, NY.
