Murray returns to South Point for HOF induction & to win against former team

Aaron Murray (20) gets the handoff as he runs for yardage while playing for the South Point Pointers

Aaron Murray and son Davin, the father/son duo as coach and player at Fairland

Aaron Murray during his playing days at Eastern Kentucky University

PROCTORVILLE — American writer Thomas Wolfe once wrote a novel, “You Can’t Go Home Again.”

Evidently, Aaron Murray hasn’t read that particular book.

Murray will be going home for two reasons on Friday when the Fairland Dragons play the South Point Pointers in an Ohio Valley Conference football game.

Murray was an outstanding running back and defensive back for the Pointers. He also played basketball and baseball and ran track. Plus, he served as the senior class president.

But on Friday, Murray is returning to South Point as an assistant football coach at Fairland and to be honored with his induction into the South Point Athletic Hall of Fame.

Murray had mixed emotions when he found out he was going to be honored but it would be when the team he coaches is playing his alma mater.

“It was a weird feeling, but I’m embracing it now,” said Murray. “I just don’t want it to be about me. I don’t want it to be a distraction.

“But it’s the place that raised me and the place I learned to love. Coming back after college and living up here (in Proctorville) and getting involved in youth coaching and coaching my son, so it’s a place I’ve come to love.. I have two great communities that have embraced me and allowed me to continue and give back and make memories.”

Murray played at South Point from 1996-98. He signed to play college football at Eastern Kentucky University from 1999-2003 where he lettered for four years.

Another twist to the plot is Murray’s son Davin is one of the top players for the Dragons and will trying to spoil the Pointers Hall of Fame weekend.

“I told him to go out there and have one of the best games you’ve ever had. You can one up me (Friday) night if you go out there and do your job,” said Murray.

As far as being elected to the South Point Hall of Fame, Murray said it was a great and emotional feeling.

“Well,  it was a humbling and an honor. When I was a kid it was just about playing the game, I’m not thinking about that. When they called it was like ‘Wow.!’ I knew my stature in South Point athletics, but to be told you’re one of the best to walk through the halls is quite an honor.”

Murray had the opportunity to play Arena Football but declined in order to move forward with his desired profession.

“I said working in athletics was what my degree was in, and by the time I graduated at Eastern I had a graduate assistant’s job at Marshall working in the athletic department,” said Murray who continued his education and obtained a Master’s Degree.

Currently, Murray works for a company called Medtronic which is a medical sales company.

“I go into the operating room and assist surgeons and help them with surgeries and hospital staff and try to get them to utilize my equipment for patient care,” Murray said.

However, for a part of the weekend, Murray will put away his coaching and job to enjoy the experience and memories with his family.

“Timing is everything. It was in the cards. It’s my son’s senior year and they put me in the Hall of Fame and we’re playing my alma mater. I don’t want to make it about me. This is something they’re doing and we’re just playing a game,” he said.

South Point will induct three former athletes into its Hall of Fame. Mark Malone and Nolan Linthicum will be inducted along with Murray.