Earle hoops coach inducted to Hall of Fame

Billy Joe Murray recognized for accomplishment by Quorum Court

By JOHN RECH

news@theeveningtimes.com

Longtime Earle Basketball Coach Billy Joe Murray received much deserved honors at the Crittenden County Quorum Court meeting in May as a 2021 inductee into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. The enshrinement capped his 38-year high school basketball coaching career.

Murray’s amazing rise to success on the hardwoods started during junior high in Morrilton. As a boy growing up in Conway County during the 1960s, he experienced family _nancial hardships and racism. His mother, Roxie, led the household as a single parent instilled a high level of self discipline and work ethic emphasizing church attendance, homework and sports competition.

The school librarian asked him why he hadn’t tried out for the basketball team Murray and discovered the student couldn’t afford the shoes. The librarian provided a pair which opened the door to the sport Murray would drive all the way to the coaches state hall of fame. Murray won state championships, including one at the now defunct Crawfordsville High School and six with the Earle Bulldogs, three of those in consecutive seasons.

Murray was 13 years old in 1967 as Morrilton schools integrated. The gift of the shoes enabled him to join the Devil Pups basketball team. His ninth grade year he lead the team to the state junior high title.

“Coach Vernon Sizemore helped me to improve every part of my game,” said Murray.

By his senior year the three time all-state star forward stood 6’3” and led the Morrilton Devil Dogs to the class AA state championship. Murray was named tournament MVP. He was selected to the Arkansas Gazette Super Team in 1973 and played in the state all star game. Murray’s high school career play with the ranked him _fth all-time in points scored with 764 points from the oor though he played before the three point shot era. He ranked in the top ten in _eld goals attempted and assists 743 assists, The team record during Murray’s career under Coach John Widner amassed 73 victories against 17 losses.

He earned a scholarship to Arkansas Tech University playing for the Wonder Boys in Russellville. He excelled on the court and in the classroom earning a bachelor’s degree. Murray still held the school record for freshman scoring with 608 and second in career scoring with 1,926 points at the school. His career scoring average produced 18.5 points per game. He ranked _fth at the university in made _eld goals, 764. He ranked third in free throw points with 418.

He cut short a try out with the New Orleans Jazz to return home to provide for his mom and family working as a high school basketball coach.

As a coach he won 1,100 games and garnered seven state championships. His coaching career spanned from 1981 to 2018. Every state championship team under his tutelage won more than 30 games. He led the Earle Bulldogs to championships in 2008, 2010, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018. He took Crawfordsville to the top of the state in 1995 after starting his coaching career near his boyhood home in Conway County at Plumerville in 1981. Health issues forced the coach into retirement. He received successful kidney transplant surgery followed by his induction into the state sports hall of fame in April this year. He was also set for induction into the coaches hall of fame in July. “The Lord blessed me with a place in the Arkansas Spots Hall of Fame,” said the survivor.

The Quorum Court, Congressman Rick Crawford, State Senator Keith Ingram, and State Representative Milton Nicks recognized the coach with citations read at the meeting. Ingram noted the coach instilled great values in his players on the oor and in life. Crawford wrote a letter to thank Murray for his coaching for developing community leaders.

During the May Quorum Court meeting, Earle Justice of the Peace Kenneth Cross presented retired Earle Bulldogs basketball coach Billy Joe Murray with accolades from elected officials for his induction into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame and pending induction into the state coaches hall of fame. In his 38 year coaching career Murray won seven state championships at two Crittenden County high schools, Crawfordsville and Earle.

Photo by John Rech