Western Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame
Darrell Murray - Men's Basketball - (1960-64)
Murray was a starting forward for Western Carolina on the 1962-63 team which was elected into the WCU Hall of Fame in 2003. Individually, Murray becomes the fourth starter of that great team to be inducted in the WCU Hall of Fame, joining Danny Tharpe (Class of 1991), Mel Gibson (Class of 1992) and Tommy Lavelle (Class of 2000). Head coach Jim Gudger (1990) is also a member of the WCU Hall of Fame, as is multi-sports star Bruce Peterson (2001) who was a member of the 1692-63 team as well. An All-Carolinas Conference selection, Murray started more games (117) than any other player in WCU history and played a role in Western Carolina winning 45 consecutive home games from 1962-65. Murray ended his career fourth on WCU's all-time scoring list with 1,471 points and is second behind teammate Lavelle on the school's all-time rebounding list with 1,208. Murray, along with Lavelle and Greg Wittman, is just one of three Catamounts to accumulate 1,000 points and rebounds in a career. Murray was additionally one of just four Catamounts to average double figures in scoring (12.6 ppg) and rebounding (10.3 rpg ) for a career at the time of his induction. Also on the WCU career list, he currently ranks fourth on the field goal percentage list (.532). His 401 rebounds in 1962-63 currently ranks fourth on the WCU single-season list, while his 317 caroms in 1960-61 currently ranks 10th. As a senior, Murray led Western to a 20-6 record, was tabbed All-Carolinas Conference and a second-place finish in the league. As a junior, Murray averaged over 11 points and 11 rebounds on the 192-63 team which posted a 28-7 record and reach in the NAIA Championship game. In 1961-62, Murray helped the Catamounts to a 21-8 record and a Carolinas Conference Championship. As a freshman, Murray was named to the North State Conference All-Freshman team after setting a school season record of 155 offensive rebounds.
