Growing
up, Murray Grapentine, a Wetaskiwin native, was an all
round athlete and participated in the Wetaskiwin Minor
Hockey program, the Wetaskiwin Minor Softball and Baseball
programs, played Club Volleyball and school sports. He
started playing volleyball when he was in Grade 8 at Queen
Elizabeth Junior High and even though he was more than
adequate in all sports it became evident that Murray could
excel in volleyball and excel he did. Throughout high
school, college and university, Murray’s volleyball teams
won Provincial, Western Canadian and Canadian
championships. When he was still at University, Murray was
selected to the Canadian Volleyball Team. He competed
internationally for Canada for eleven years and captained
Team Canada for the last four years of his career. Murray
played in three World Championships, two World Cups, and won
a Bronze Medal at the 1999 Pan Am Games in Winnipeg. His
incredible volleyball accomplishments and outstanding skill
make Murray more than deserving of induction into the
Wetaskiwin and County Sports Hall of Fame.
Competed Internationally
for Canada
for Eleven Years
When Murray was in grade 10
(1993) he was chosen to play for the Alberta Juvenile
Volleyball Team and competed in the Western Canadian
Championships. This set the stage for what was to
become an outstanding volleyball career for Murray. He
represented Alberta two more times as a junior player and in
1997 he was named an All Star at the Canadian Junior
National Championships. After graduating from high
school, Murray attended Red Deer College where he played for
the King’s Volleyball Team for one season(1995-96).
During his year in Red Deer, Murray was instrumental
in the Kings winning both the Alberta College Provincial
Championships and the Canadian Collegiate Athletic
Association National Championships and Murray was selected
the Most Improved Player on the team.
The next year (1996-1997)
Murray transferred to the University of Alberta where he
immediately became one of the Golden Bear starters and star
volleyball players. That year the Golden Bears won the
Canada West Championships and the Canadian Championships.
In the summer of 1997 Murray was chosen to represent Canada
at the World University Games in Italy. It was also in
1997 that Murray was selected to the Canadian National “A”
Volleyball team and for the remainder of his University
career he played on both the National Team and the Golden
Bears.
Captained Team Canada for the
Last Four Years of His Career
In his second year with the
Golden Bears (1997-98) the team again reached the National
Finals where they won the Bronze Medal and Murray was named
1st Team All Canadian. Additionally, Murray was named MVP
of the Golden Bear Volleyball Team and was awarded the
Wilson Trophy emblematic of the Outstanding Male Athlete at
the University of Alberta, both worthy accolades for his
contributions to the team and University.
Before starting his third year
with the Golden Bears (1998-1999), Murray played with Team
Canada in the World Championships in Japan (1998) where he
was named 7th best blocker. In 1999 the Golden Bears once
more travelled to the National Finals, were Bronze
medalists, and again Murray was named 1st Team All
Canadian. Besides that, he was the Golden Bear MVP, Canada
West Player of the Year and the CIAU Player of the Year -
more impressive accomplishments. As part of the Canadian
Team in 1999 Murray was the best blocker at the North,
Central American & Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA)
Championships, was named 3rd best blocker at the World Cup,
and at the Pan Am Games in Winnipeg the Canadian team won
the Bronze Medal. 1999 was indeed a banner year for Murray!
Played Volleyball Professionally in
Spain, France and Italy
After graduating from
University, Murray played volleyball professionally in
Spain, France and Italy for over seven years. As a
professional, he led his team to the Coupe de France in 2004
and 2007, as well as the Championat de France title in
2003. He also continued playing for the Canadian National
Team and continued gaining acclaim for his prowess on the
volleyball court including:
-
Best Blocker and Server at
the 2000 FIVB Olympic Qualifier;
-
All Star at the Men’s
World Championship Qualifier in 2001;
-
Best Blocker at the
NORCECA Championships in 2003 and 2007;
-
Being chosen as Captain of
Team Canada in 2005;
-
Fourth Best Blocker at the
World Championships in 2006
-
Best Blocker in the 2006
Pan-American Cup.
Murray retired from
competition in January 2008 and since 2008 he has been the
assistant volleyball coach for the University of Regina
Cougars.
As a world class volleyball
player, Murray has brought recognition to himself, his
family, his community, his Province and his country. His
successes could not have occurred without hard work,
determination and dedication. Because of these attributes
as well as his innate athletic abilities, his leadership
qualities and his achievements and awards, Murray is indeed
a role model for young Wetaskiwin and County athletes and we
are honored to induct him into our Sports Hall of Fame.
Information
about an inductee is collected from published sources,
sports archives, scrapbooks, anecdotal information from
family, friends and fans, and the
athlete.
However,
sometimes the best stories and personal insights are gleaned
at the induction
dinner from the introductory
comments or acceptance speech of the inductee or their
representative.
Where
possible we have included this
type of information for your enjoyment.
Read the
opening comments made by Don McMillan when introducing
Murray Grapentine.
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