Murray durable for Madison

By Jack McAuley, contributing writer
Posted on September 13, 2007

Tristan Murray has started every game during his JMU men’s soccer career, totaling 59 straight appearances. However, the statistics bely his value to the Dukes over that time.

“I just try to work hard and do the things that I can do to be successful,” Murray said. “I’m the captain so I guess I bring leadership and try to set the example for how I think guys should act.”

This leadership isn’t evident in the box score, where it shows that Murray notched only three goals and six assists in his three years with the Dukes. But it shows in the extra hills he runs at the end of practice, his constant communication and support during the games, and his actions off the field.

Nothing could overshadow what Murray does in the classroom. He earned the CAA Conference Commissioner’s academic award three years in a row, the JMU Athletic Director Scholar-Athlete award twice and the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar first team one year. But Murray hopes his future lies in soccer.

“I want to play pro,” Murray said. “First here [in Major League Soccer], then hopefully overseas.”

The idea of playing soccer in a foreign country doesn’t bother Murray since he does that everyday at JMU. Originally from Brampton, Ontario, a soccer tournament in Canada allowed Coach Tom Martin to see Murray in action. At another tournament in Bethesda, Maryland Martin signed his captain.

“Here is a lot different than back home,” Murray said. “Back home there is a lot of diversity and there’s no diversity here. I am used to people of all different races, colors, ethnic backgrounds and here it was different — a culture shock.”

Regardless, JMU provided a place for Tristan to do what he loves — play soccer. His performance as a freshman with the Dukes opened another door for him in December 2004, when Murray was invited to play for the under-20 Canadian National team, including a game against the United States.

“That was a great experience,” Tristan said. “It was real fun, I learned a lot, and it brought me along with my soccer career.”

Aside from soccer, Murray has many passions to help him get time away from the game. Salmon is his food of choice, a meal he would love to have with French soccer star Zinedine Zidane. He also enjoys reading and says that his favorite book is Keene, an autobiography by Irish soccer player Roy Keene.

But Murray said that he is most comfortable on the soccer field with his teammates. To the Canadian-born Duke, the football pitch 566 miles from home is his true getaway.