Murray!!!

Coming up with good things to say about Murray is no easy task. I've done my best to come up with a few redeemable qualities that he possesses. Here goes.

1: His uncanny wit
No one can deny this. Shane is simply one of the funniest guys I've ever met. It's resulted in a few hardships along the way, namely the brick through his windshield in 03 and the Schwarz/Murray beat-down of 06. Still, it makes him a lot of fun to be around. Whether you're playing basketball, boogie-boarding in the Atlantic Ocean, playing Slug Fest, or singing Karaoke at Benny's, Shane always has a good comeback, a smart-ass comment, or some keen observation that is sure to increase the utility of those around him.

2: Basketball
Convincing Shane to play a game of pick up basketball is about as hard as getting Schwarz to go to Bourbon Street on a Friday night. I've played thousands of games with Shane at BC, Tybee, Wilmington, and Jenkins Boys Club. Of all the good, bad, weird (Bill), and awesome moments I can remember about playing with Shane, my favorite has to be the time in Pius where he saved my ass. We were playing some team from New Orleans and I already had 3 or 4 fouls and some jackass on the other team started giving me the business. All I could do was talk since I was in foul trouble, and I guess Murray could tell I was getting frustrated because the next time down, he laid a forearm in the guy's chest which sent him to the deck. The guy got up, pushed me, picked up a cheap foul, and was done. Later, we ran into him on the elevator at the hotel and Murray should have been given a prize for his exemplary job of mean-mugging.

Shane loves the great game of basketball, and he's damn good at it. If I could put together the best starting 5 of guys I've ever seen play at Benedictine, Shane would start at small forward along with Frankie at point, Jibri at off guard, Pierce at power forward, and Coursey as center. Shane can shoot it as good as Keenan or Koncul, but they aren't in the same league as him when it comes to defense. Further, he's the kind of a guy who makes everyone at practice try harder because he never bitched and just played the game. And while I already bored y'all with one drawn out memory, Murray's final game at Benedictine when he went for 24 points is probably on my top 5 list for favorite games I've been a part of. He drained eight 3's against Glynn. Murda was the true captain of the 02-03 team.

3: Selling 401 K's
Murray is a young professional, but he doesn't take himself too seriously. He sports suits during the week, but umbros and blazers on the weekends. Shane still likes to "party" now as much as he did during college, and I must say he's gotten even better at it. While we still have no idea what he really does at that place on President Street, we're happy for him and glad he can still bring it. Day drinking, Bear Fights, and G and T's are now the norm for this professional weekend warrior.

4: Friends
Barstool, you cannot blame Shane for being a member of 736 blogs. A lot of different people and groups of people like Murray. Maybe it's the sense of humor which I alluded to above, or rather his desire to see what's good about someone/ some group rather than their faults. Shane can have a good time wherever he is or whoever he is with. Some people have a hard time meeting people, and others have a difficult time making friends. It's easy to see why Shane has so many close friends and people who want to be around him all the time.

5: Alli
For some inexplicable reason, a female has decided to put up with Shane on a full time basis. While we all know she could do a lot better and we anxiously await the day she cans Murray for someone nicer, cooler, and not from Wilmington, we cannot help but to be happy for Shane and his lady friend. She has accepted all of us and our peculiar ways, and she's even been to a few BC games. I've even seen her attempt a few Bear Fights. Yes, it has come to the point where significant others can be part of what is best about one of us. She's Murray's girlfriend so we will see her a lot, and the fact that she's nice, undramatic, and fun to hang out is great for us. Plus, there aren't 5 things good about Shane himself so I had to include her.

So wherever you are today, raise one to S Murda. And on Saturday, we gonna party like it's his birfday.

Happy Birthday, Shane.