By Rich Chrampanis
LITTLE SILVER – Meghan Murray is used to being in the headlines. With back-to-back 100-point seasons and 358 career points in a decorated career with the Red Bank Regional girls lacrosse team, many were surprised and even shocked the two-sport star didn’t have a spot in a college lacrosse program following graduation.
But patience and perseverance paid off for Murray. Following a stint at Penn State’s Elite Camp, the recent RBR grad has secured a place on the roster of the university’s elite Division I program.
“I reached out to the coach this past year and was planning on going to the elite camp over the summer and then trying out the first couple days of school to be a walk-on,” Murray said. “After I went to the camp, coach Missy Doherty called me and told me that I could skip the tryout at the beginning of the school year and have a spot on the team.”
The path to becoming a Big Ten lacrosse player was not easy. The club lacrosse circuit is where college interest begins and ends. Playing for T3 Shore Elite, Meghan watched 14 of her T3 teammates commit and ultimately sign with Division I lacrosse schools. In the end, Murray added her name to that impressive list.
“My recruiting process was very different from others and took a lot of patience and waiting,” Murray said. “I learned that if you work hard at a goal and believe in yourself you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. It’s also very important to not focus on anyone but yourself because no one’s recruiting process is the same. I am so happy that I waited for the right opportunity and now I get to play with and against some of the best players in the country.”
It’s an important lesson for every athlete. The journey is truly unique and Murray is a shining example. A model student-athlete who gained the respect of the entire Shore Conference, the newest Nittany Lion has great wisdom for younger lacrosse players who are about to endure the topsy-turvy world of recruiting.
“I would tell other lacrosse players to focus on the school you want to go to, not the lacrosse program, because anything can happen so you have to love the school first,” Murray said.
“Also always work hard, keep your grades up and keep trying to get better.”
Murray’s mark on Red Bank Regional is profound. A 1,000-point scorer in basketball who helped the Lady Bucs reach new heights on the hardwood to go along with a lacrosse program that has become a top-five Shore Conference power, Murray begins the next chapter with nothing but fond memories of her time at RBR.
“I will remember most of all the amazing friends I’ve made from sports and great memories I have with my teams, whether it be beating our rivals or just going to get food with the team after a game or practice,” Murray said.
It seems fitting that Murray grabbed the headlines one more time this summer. Now she’ll look to make the same impact in Happy Valley.
