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USATF Georgia News & Notes - 11/4/14
Someone You Should Know...

In 2014, we began recognizing our Georgia members through a feature we call "Member Spotlight - Someone You Should Know." It is a regular feature that is included in an email communication to our 5000 members every couple of weeks.

Members that we have acknowledged include athletes, coaches, officials and administrators.  We wanted you to know more about them and the positive impact they have had on this association.  It is our way of thanking them for  their wonderful contributions.
 
Today, we want to deviate for the moment and tell you about "Someone to Remember" on the first anniversary of  his death.   

William Murray Sanford served several terms as the President of the USATF Georgia Association. He also served several years as the USATF Georgia Officials Chair. During his tenure, the Association experienced solid growth and stability.  We lost President Murray Sanford on November 9, 2013.  It was a very sad day.
 
Today, we want to tell you about the man - someone who appeared gruff on the outside but who had such a gentle side, and did so many special things for so many people.
 
William Murray Sanford was born in Lambert, Mississippi. He graduated from Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi where he helped manage various sports teams (including football).  He taught history and geography in Greenwood and Greenville, Mississippi where he coached track and field teams. He served his country as a U.S. Marine Corps Reservist. He represented USATF at the Montreal, Moscow, Atlanta, and Beijing Olympic Games.
 
Murray was the first one to arrive at a track and field meet and the last one to leave.  He drove a dilapidated old red car  back and forth from Woodstock, loaded down with cones, flagging, equipment, shots, javelins, banners, etc.  We always wondered how he was able to fit everything in his car, but he always managed.  Years later he acquired a blue van and that enabled him to carry even more equipment back and forth to meets.  He was dedicated to the sport and he cared for so many.
 
Today, we would like to remember Murray as he left us one year ago - at a race walk event in Smyrna, GA.  Murray, we miss you very much.


Please contact marleneatwood@usatfga.org, VP Communications, with any questions regarding this communication.
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