Written by Destiny Henschel
Ryan Murray, one of Concordia University Chicago’s (CUC) defensive linemen, intends to lead the CUC football team physically, emotionally, and intellectually this season. Murray, number 90, states that he wants his team to not only win a play-off game, and win conference, but Murray wants to achieve a 3.0 grade point average in the classroom. With a deep love for football, Murray is looking to achieve overall great success during the 2019-2020 academic year.
In valuing his team, Murray knows that “if something happens on or off the field, someone on my team is going to have my back.” With an energetic but hard-working spirit, Murray uses difficulties from the past to fire his work ethic for each new season. Describing a CUC football player as “someone who works hard, fights through anything that gets thrown at them, and having a lot of heart,” Murray shows his constant dedication to the sport by continuing his 3rd collegiate football year. His suitemates agree he has a great amount of dedication to football.
On a more personal level, Murray describes his toughest moments taking place during the 2018 football season, where the team did not compete as well as they have in the past. On top of the difficult season, Murray’s beloved grandmother passed away, causing him to miss practices and work towards overcoming a difficult emotional barrier. But with Murray knowing his team loved and supported him, it helped him get back onto the field to help the CUC Cougars work towards their victory.
Currently, Murray strives to play in dedication to his high school coach, Coach Szudarski, who is going through difficult times of his own. Recently, Szudarski was diagnosed with cancer and is currently going through chemotherapy procedures. Murray humbly states that “he is my inspiration” and “he is my why.” With Szudarski continuing to coach, Murray continues to push through his difficult times to keep playing his beloved game in Szudarski’s honor.
Coming to CUC, Murray mentioned his gratitude for the location being close to his hometown, Joliet, Illinois. With his mom, dad, and brother being his “biggest supporters,” they are able to attend numerous games every season. Though they do run into many obstacles, Murray’s family still manages to “come to any game.” Murray ensures that he is “so glad I came [to CUC].”
However, as far as this upcoming season goes, Murray strives to configure “more of a team,” where he believes “that would help us improve the most on the field, “Because we know we’ll have each other’s backs.” With every player going through their own personal struggles, football creates a family, where each player simply wants the best for one another. Playing since first grade, Murray found his true love and passion for football and knows his experiences will be with him forever.
For future players and incoming freshman, Murray advises everyone to “just stick through it, because we are all going to have tough times,” but football has taught him valuable lessons for the future. Football taught him “how to work together as a team” and “how to fight through adversity,” in order to achieve just about anything. Finally, football has taught him that the majority of “people think [football] builds character,” but Murray “think it reveals it,” in the way that each player has the audacity to decide what kind of teammate they want to be — the one that lifts people up, or the one that takes in the fame on their own. Murray wants to end with general support to all of the CUC student body by cheering them on, saying, “Go Cougars.”
