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University Of Alberta Golden Bears & Pandas

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Be The Roar

Sports Wall of Fame

Heather Murray

Heath Murray

  • Class
    1998
  • Induction
    2021
  • Sport(s)
    Pandas Soccer
  • Pandas Soccer Forward (1993-98)
  • 1997 CIAU Champion
  • 1997 CIAU Tournament MVP
  • Two-time Canada West Champion (1996, 1997)
  • Two-time Canada West All-Star (1994, 1996)
  • 1996 CIAU All-Canadian
  • 1994 UofA Rookie of the Year
  • 1997 Pandas Team MVP
  • Pandas Soccer all-time goals leader (28)
One of the best to ever wear the Pandas logo on the pitch, former Pandas Soccer forward Heath Murray, ‘98 BA, has made their way onto the University of Alberta’s Sports Wall of Fame. 

Dubbed affectionately as “the pint-sized striker, who was quick, lethal, and fearless” by former Pandas Soccer head coach Tracy David, Murray was unstoppable during their five-year career in the Evergreen and Gold.

From 1993-98, Murray scored 28 times in 48 conference matches for the Pandas, a program record that still stands upon their induction. They were twice named a Canada West All-Star, guided the Pandas to a pair of conference championships in 1996 and 1997, and scored the overtime winner in the 1997 CIAU National Final.

What was also truly remarkable about their individual accomplishments is that they were accumulated during a time with shorter conference seasons, and with an assist not tracked as an official stat until 1995, Murray’s third season. It is fair to wonder the numbers Murray could have finished with during today’s era.

Recruited out of the Sherwood Park Rangers soccer club, Murray’s impact on the pitch with the Pandas was immediate. They finished second in Canada West with six goals in 10 conference matches in 1993, the most of any rookie in the conference. 

While there was no CW Rookie of the Year award established in 1993, Murray did earn the UofA’s Female Rookie of the Year award for 1993/94.

Murray added 11 more goals over the next two seasons, which included another 6 goals in 1994, as Murray earned their first CW All-Star nod that season. The ‘94 Pandas also hosted the CIAU National Tournament, with the hosts earning a national bronze medal.

Thanks to an All-Canadian caliber season from Murray, the Pandas entered the upper echelon of teams in the nation in 1996. The ‘96 Pandas upset the top-seeded Calgary Dinos in double overtime in the conference final, capturing the program’s fourth Canada West banner. Their magical run, however, was dashed in the national final by the Ottawa Gee-Gees. 

Like fellow 2021 SWOF Inductee Mark Korthuis however, Murray was able to end their collegiate career on top. The 1997 Pandas once again knocked off the Dinos in the CW Final, before dispatching McGill and McMaster to reach the ‘97 CIAU Final.

In storybook fashion, Murray was able to pot the overtime winner in the 114th minute on a penalty kick, leading the Pandas to a 1-0 win, and the program’s second national title. 

David, a 2007 SWOF inductee, and Murray’s nominator, stated that Murray was “Extremely humble. They were positive, quiet and unassuming, but had a steely resolve. Murray was consistently fierce, and was relentless under pressure. One of their best qualities was unselfishness, and their team-first approach.”

A champion at every level, Murray was also a two-time national club champion with Edmonton Scottish in 1999 and 2000, and competed in the 2005 Masters World Games. 

Murray has also had a tremendously successful professional career, adding a degree from NAIT's Biomedical Engineering Technology program. Murray has spent over 15 years working at the Grey Nuns hospital in Edmonton, the last 10 of which as the main Clinical Engineer to support the operating and recovery rooms. 

Heather Murray is the fourth former Pandas Soccer athlete to be inducted onto the Sports Wall of Fame.
 
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