Biographical Note

A professor and athletic coach at Springfield College since 1967, Dr. Mimi Murray enjoys a national and international reputation in the field of athletics and is recognized for her pioneering contributions to the field of sport psychology, her influence on behalf of girls and women in sport, and her excellence in teaching. Dr. Murray has served as president for the International Council for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport, and Dance (ICHPER-SD); the American Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD); and the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport (NAGWS). Murray also served as vice president for the United States Collegiate Sports Council.

Born Mildred C. Murray on Nov. 3, 1940, Dr. Murray grew up in Summit New Jersey, graduating from Summit High School in 1957. Dr. Murray is a graduate of Springfield College with a Bachelor of Science (1961) and a Master of Science (1967). She received a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Connecticut (1976). During the efforts to secure passage of the landmark Title IX legislation, Murray was a prime mover and her work in Women’s equality and diversity issues are a hallmark of her career. Among her major honors and awards, she was the Ethics Fellow of the International Institute for the Study of Sport, received the Luther Halsey Gulick Award from AAHPERD, the R. Tait McKenzie Award, and many other honor awards from AAHPERD, ICHPER-SD, and NAGWS. She was inducted into the inaugural class of the New Agenda: Northeast Women’s Hall of Fame and is an inductee in the Springfield College Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2017, she was the recipient of the Springfield College President’s Humanics Achievement Award.

Dr. Murray served as the Springfield College Women’s gymnastics coach from 1968-1974. Her teams compiled a perfect 37-0 record in dual team meets and won five Eastern titles, three Division I national championships, including the first DGWS championship held in 1969. Dr. Murray was named the National Gymnastics Coach of the Year in 1974. Dr. Murray coached the USA Team for the 1973 World University Games and was named "Coach of the Year" in gymnastics in 1974. Her textbook, Gymnastics for Women: The Spectator, Gymnast, Coach, and Teacher, is considered an authoritative source in the sport. She has been a gymnastics commentator on ABC-TV’s Wide World of Sports and NBC’s Sportsworld. Additionally, she served as the Springfield College Women’s Volleyball Coach from 1976-1978. Her record was 33 wins, 8 ties, and 16 loses.

As a sports psychologist, Dr. Murray has published many articles and has lectured throughout the United States. She also has served as a sport psychology consultant with the USA Equestrian Team (1984 Los Angeles Games), USA Field Hockey Team (1996 Atlanta Games), and worked with numerous professional, collegiate, and high school athletes and coaches.

Information mostly retrieved from:

Mimi Murray Day pamphlet - https://cdm16122.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15370coll2/id/7574

Springfield College Directory Website (site no longeer available)

Athletic Hall of Fame Website page – http://springfieldcollegepride.com/information/ahof/HOF_Bios/Murray

Official Slate of Candidates for the Office of the President-Elect of the AAHPERD - https://cdm16122.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15370coll2/id/21549

Resume of Dr. Mimi Murray - https://cdm16122.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15370coll2/id/21551

SC News Release “Assistant Professor of Physical Education” - https://cdm16122.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15370coll2/id/21550

- Written by Jeffrey Monseau in November 2018

Chronology

1961 - Bachelor of Science in Physical Education, Springfield College

1967 - Master of Science in Physical Education, Springfield College

1967 - Hired as Professor of Physical Education at Springfield College

1968 - Appointed Coach of the Springfield College Women's Gymnastics Team (1968-1974; 37-0, dual meets)

1969 - Women’s Gymnastics National Championship

1971 - Women’s Gymnastics National Championship

1972 - Women’s Gymnastics National Championship

1973 - Appointed US Women's Gymnastics Coach for World University Games

1974 - Coach of the year

1976 - Doctor of Philosophy, University of Connecticut

1976 - Appointed Coach of Springfield College Women’s Volleyball (1976-1978; 33-8-16)

1984 - Sports Psychologist US Olympic Equestrian Team at Los Angeles Olympics

1987 - Named One of Five Pioneers for Girls· & Women in Sport in USA, Women's Sports Foundation

1988 - President National Association of Girls & Women in Sports (NAGWS)

1993 - President Association of American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD)

1993 - Springfield College Athletic Hall of Fame

1994 - ICHPERD Vice President for North America

1999 - Appointed President of ICHPER-SD

2017 - Springfield College President’s Humanics Achievement Award

2019 - Retires

Found in 3 Collections and/or Records: