Clemson’s Bruce Murray Elected to National Soccer Hall of Fame

March 30, 2011

CLEMSON, SC – Bruce Murray, who helped lead Clemson to two National Championships in men’s soccer in 1984 and 1987 and later starred with the U.S. Men’s National Team, has been named to the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

Murray, a veteran U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder and forward, tallied 86 games and 21 goals throughout his career for the United States. When Murray retired from the national team in 1993, he was its all-time leader in both caps and goals. Murray made his first full international appearance against England in 1985 and his last was against Venezuela in 1993.

Murray played in all of the United States’ games in the 1990 World Cup, including all 10 qualifiers during 1988 and 1989 and the three games in the finals in Italy in 1990. Murray scored the United States’ goal against Austria in its last game of the World Cup finals. He also played in all of the United States’ games in its victorious efforts in the 1991 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the 1992 U.S. Cup, as well as playing for the United States in the 1988 Olympic Games, the 1992 Intercontinental Cup and the 1993 Copa America.

Murray played several seasons with the Washington Starts and Maryland Bays of the ASL/APSL and one season with the Atlanta Ruckus of the A-League.

At Clemson, Murray won the Hermann Trophy as the top men’s soccer player in the country in 1987. He led Clemson to two NCAA Championships in 1984 and 1987. He was a two-time All-American. Murray had the winning goal in three NCAA Tournament games for the Tigers in 1987 on the way to the National Championship.

He was named first team All-ACC in 1985 and 1987. He was also the first Clemson player in history in the 40-40 club (over 40 goals and 40 assists in a career). He is sixth in school history in total points with 142 and seventh in total goals with 48. Murray is second in school history with 46 career assists.

In the 84 games he played during his career, Murray had either a goal or an assist in 56 games. He played for the U.S. National Team and was the United State’s all-time leading scorer when he retired from soccer. He is also a member of the ACC 50-year Anniversary Team and was named one of the top 50 male athletes in ACC history in 2003, the 50th year of the ACC.

Joining Murray in the 2011 induction class include, Cobi Jones, the U.S. Men’s National Team’s all-time leading cap winner and long-time member of the LA Galaxy, Eddie Pope, a perennial anchor of the U.S. defense for nearly a decade and winner of three MLS Cups with D.C. United, and Earnie Stewart, a three-time World Cup veteran.

Joining the players in this year’s class besides Bruce Murray (Veteran Ballot) former U.S. Men’s National Team and Kansas City Wizards head coach Bob Gansler, who was elected on the Builder Ballot.

The Class of 2011 induction ceremony will likely be scheduled for this summer. Details are still being finalized and will be announced at a later date.

To be eligible for the Hall of Fame as a Player, an individual must have been retired for at least three full calendar years but no more than 10 years, and either 1) Played at least 20 full international games for the United States or 2) Played at least five seasons in an American first-division professional league and was selected as a league All-Star at least once.

The selection committee for the player election includes all current and former coaches of the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Team, active MLS and WPS coaches with a minimum of four years tenure, select soccer administrators, designated members of the media and all Hall of Famers.

Eligibility for the 2011 Veteran ballot was the same as the Player ballot except that a player must have been retired for more than 10 years. The Veteran ballot is voted on by current Hall of Famers.

The 2011 Builder ballot includes seven individuals selected by a screening committee of select soccer administrators and Hall of Famers and follows the same procedures for election as the Veteran ballot. Only one Builder can be elected each year and must have appeared on at least 50 percent of the ballots.

To be eligible for the Hall of Fame as a Builder, an individual in a non-playing capacity must have demonstrated a major, sustained and positive impact on U.S. soccer on a national or first division professional level for a minimum of 10 years.