Q&A by Preston McClellan '14

Name: Tim McMurray
Hometown: Beaumont, Texas
Alma Mater (Year)/Degree:
Ohio University (2013) / PMSA
Lamar University (1992) / Applied Arts (Communication)

Current Job: Senior Associate Athletics Director – University of Maryland

1. How did you first get into intercollegiate athletics?
I was pretty blessed to have the opportunity work in athletic media relations an undergraduate. From that experience, I took the initiative to also take on projects with development, marketing, and even the director of athletics’ office. Doing filing, correspondence, etc., allowed me access to gain a great perspective of how an athletic department works.

2. What made you decide to go back and get your master's degree?
To this day, it is my firm belief that no matter what stage you are in your professional development, you have the chance to improve. Ohio U’s PMSA provides that opportunity through both formal and informal mechanisms, and it is very gratifying. Whether on campus, in discussion boards, or informal interactions outside of coursework, there is great value in being part of the best sports administration family in the country.

3. How has the Ohio PMSA program enhanced your personal and professional life?
Application of course content to my career and interaction with terrific classmates was a huge feature. Additionally, I have gained a great appreciation for the Ohio U. Sports Administration brand and its outstanding network, and this is a credit to the leadership of Jim Kahler and Heather Lawrence, who are rock stars (although I can’t confirm their musical talent).

Additionally, I believe strongly that the master’s degree allowed me to advance successfully in the process with the University of Maryland, which I just accepted less than three months after finishing the program.

4. What will be some of the changes moving to a BCS school like Maryland from a somewhat smaller school like SMU?
Really, it is a positive. We have a slightly larger staff here, so getting the right people in the right seats on the bus will be a great opportunity. Maryland is going through an unprecedented transformation, so it is an opportunity that we only get once. We need to align our actions with the mission, vision, and values of the department. The Maryland Way is the name of our five-year strategic plan (2012-2017), and it is the blueprint to providing opportunities and resources for the “WHY” we do what we do – the student-athlete.

Prioritizing tasks and remembering that Rome wasn’t built in a day will be a personal challenge for me, as I like to run with a pretty high motor. Athletics provides us a challenge in the form of juggling time, not managing it. I believe how we juggle our priorities and really cut down our actions to what is important is a true skill. We all have “operational” duties, but at the end of the day, we have to generate revenue. The big rocks have to take precedent over the small rocks.

5. What are some of the most innovative things you've seen lately in development?
Actually, I think it is going back to the basics. Be an active listener. Whether it is with a donor, prospect, supervisor, colleague, or student-athlete, I always attempt to be mindful that God gave us two ears and one mouth – use them both proportionally.

From a technology perspective, the digital and social media mechanisms are great. Anytime you can efficiently personalize a message to a donor and make it easy for them to engage and interact with your school or brand, then you are on the right track.

6. What is the biggest issue facing college fundraising these days?
Everyone has to get bigger, faster, stronger and better. The blessing and the curse of private revenue generation through annual and capital donations is that it is really the only revenue area with no ceiling. There is only so much popcorn you can pop, seats or apparel you can sell, signage and sponsorship opportunities you can offer, but development does not have a true ceiling. Until 318,702 Maryland alumni say no to us, we have work to do!

7. What advice would you give to someone trying to break into sports?
Put in as many hours as you can early in your career, ask for as much responsibility as you can have, and take as much initiative to achieve things as you can handle. Initiative is very important, and very few truly have it. Additionally, don’t be afraid to volunteer in order to gain experience.

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