An All-America swimmer and school record holder at Cortland during the mid-1960's, Robert G. McMurray ’67 has earned acclaim for his research and his teaching skills as a professor of exercise science and sport studies, a professor of nutrition, and a professor of physical therapy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
McMurray, who is a Hamburg, N.Y., native and Hamburg High School graduate, became a six-time All-America swimmer in the 400-yard individual medley, 500-yard freestyle and the 1,650-yard freestyle at Cortland. As a senior, he held the NCAA College Division I, 650-yard freestyle record.
By the time he finished his Cortland career, McMurray held or tied every school record in nine of 11 individual swimming events, while holding or tying five Moffett Pool marks. He also set SUNYAC and Upper New York State records in the 200-yard and the 400-yard individual medley, 500-yard freestyle and 1650-yard freestyle.
A Dean’s List student and a member of the Men’s Athletic Association Board as an upperclassman, McMurray was a student trainer for the men’s lacrosse squad as a senior. He was a Beta Phi Epsilon fraternity brother and listed in Who’s Who Among College Students.
McMurray earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from SUNY Cortland in 1967. He received his master’s degree in physical education from Ball State University and a Ph.D. in human performance from Indiana University.
In 1968-69, he was an assistant professor of physical education and swimming coach at SUNY Oneonta. He taught physical education at Union College from 1969-73 and at Indiana University from 1974-76. He joined the University of North Carolina faculty in 1978.
He has authored more than 110 peer-reviewed research manuscripts, numerous textbook chapters and two books. Since the late 1980's, his research interest has been in developmental exercise physiology focusing on obesity. He is part of a research team that has obtained more than $40 million in funding for the University of North Carolina.
McMurray was cited by the North Carolina Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Health for his efforts in promoting exercise in children. He received the Henry J. Montoye Scholar Award from the Southeast American College of Sports Medicine for his research on obesity in children.
Within his community, McMurray has been a youth soccer and softball coach, an assistant scoutmaster and active with Habitat for Humanity. He started a lacrosse program at Hillside High School, where he served as an assistant swim coach.
He and his wife, Marsha, have three children: Robert, Melissa and Matthew.
UPDATE- March, 2015: McMurray retired in June of 2011 after 33 years at the University of North Carolina. Prior to his retirement he was the first recipient to receive the Kay Smith Gunter Distinguished Professor Award at the University of North Carolina in 2008. In 2011, he was awarded the American College of Sport Medicine Citation Award for a research career focused on physical activity and obesity in children.
