Mendel Murray, Ed.D., built his career at the intersection of athletics, education, and equity. For Murray ’18, ’20, sports have always been more than a game. In this interview, he shares how UB took a chance on him, how that experience fueled his commitment to his students, and how he uses his love of sports to create meaningful change in the communities he serves.
Q&A with Dr. Mendel Murray
What is your current professional role, and in what ways have you been involved at University of Bridgeport?
I am currently a community and social impact professional. I have remained involved at UB, serving as an adjunct instructor in the Sport Management program since 2023.
What degrees did you earn at University of Bridgeport, and what drew you here as a student?
I earned my Bachelor of Science in Management and Industrial Relations and my MBA with a concentration in Management from UB. I was drawn to UB because it felt like a home away from home. I was 45 minutes away from my home in Mount Vernon, NY, and getting home was seamless. I also appreciated the one-on-one approach of faculty and staff throughout the University.
How did your experience as a UB student influence your decision to return as an adjunct and stay connected to the University?
UB was one of two schools that accepted me out of high school. My grades were not great, but UB took a chance on me. Although I was accepted on academic probation, UB allowed me to prove myself. I know what I needed as a student to grow and develop into the man and professional I am today. Returning as an adjunct instructor allowed me to offer the same support to current UB students, applying the expertise I developed throughout my professional and academic career.
What inspired you to pursue your area of expertise?
Ever since I was young, I’ve loved sports. Like every child, I aspired to play in the NBA, but my role was on the sidelines. At UB, I got my start in sports by managing the men’s basketball team for four years. Furthermore, I loved impacting others; basketball was a platform to do just that. I know what sports have done for me, and the ability to use the game I love to create a positive impact in the community is invaluable.
What do you enjoy most about working with UB students — as an adjunct, mentor, or partner in your field?
I enjoy the opportunity I get to mold students. I am not an instructor who leads with a heavy hand; I don’t stress grades, although they are important. Instead, what I stress to students is the importance of retaining the information I teach, and I encourage an inquisitive culture among the students I support.
Can you walk us through your career journey since graduating from UB?
Upon graduating from UB, I was fortunate to secure a job in my field of study. I made the necessary connections and got a job with the Brooklyn Nets as an inside sales representative. After a season, I took a job with Sonoma State University (SSU) as an athletics advisor, providing students with academic and career support. After two years at SSU, I received an opportunity to oversee player development for the academy at Toronto FC, and after one season, I was promoted to manage the club’s culture and inclusion. After completing my doctor of education from CSU Stanislaus, I wanted to get back into basketball, and I was fortunate to find a position in the NBA that aligned with my personal and professional goals.
How did your UB degree(s) help you build a career working in community-focused roles and professional and collegiate sports?
My degrees at UB set the stage. It helped me build the professional acumen I needed to prepare corporate presentations and understand the language of business, which enabled me to progress much more quickly early in my career. My experience with the UB men’s basketball team also set me apart and put me in a position to understand how basketball and business intersect.
How would you describe what you do in your current position on a day-to-day basis, especially for students who might be interested in a similar path?
It’s a cliché, but no two days are alike. My days are mostly spent in front of a computer ideating and building programs for corporate sponsors interested in health and wellness and workforce development programs. I love my job because I get to see my work and ideas come to life while leveraging basketball as a platform for social change.
Looking back, what are one or two career accomplishments you’re especially proud of so far?
While many moments in my career have been incredible, two stand out that I am immoderately proud of. First, completing my doctor of education in Educational Leadership meant a lot to me because not only was it a large undertaking, but also because I can use my research to help other athletes who may need support as they develop from students to professionals. Dr. James Page, who was one of my professors at UB, advised me to finish my education before I was 30; he said I’d never regret it. So far, his words ring true, and I thank him for that. Second, receiving the Region VI Dorothy Keller New Professional award. It meant a lot to me because it meant I was on the right track, even when I didn’t feel like I was.
Much of your work centers on equity, access, and supporting historically marginalized communities. What does that look like in practice in your role?
When I was in Toronto, gender equity was an important aspect of the work I did. I was fortunate to oversee the BMO Women in Soccer Fellowship program, which aimed to create more opportunities for women in Front Office positions. I oversaw this program for a year and took pride in being part of the remarkable advancement of women in soccer. I have always believed that we need to be intentional about creating equitable spaces for people in historically marginalized groups. This means widening the door of opportunity and creating safe spaces for people to learn and grow.
Can you share a moment when you saw the impact of your work on an athlete, student, or young person you were supporting?
Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to encounter and interact with several students whose lives I’ve made a different in. One that comes to mind is a young woman I mentored since she was a freshman in college. She came to my office every day; needless to say, she had a green light to walk into my office without an appointment. She called, texted, and emailed me to inform me about every aspect of her life that might be impacting her in the classroom and on the playing field. Through our conversations and her strong familial circle, she just graduated with her master’s degree and is working on applications for a doctoral program. As professionals, we have the blueprint to success, and we must be there for our students. Seeing her journey makes me so proud to have been part of her story, even if it was a small part, and I’m grateful that the learnings I received from faculty at UB laid the groundwork. I filled their shoes, now I lay it for others to fill mine.
How have mentors, colleagues, or role models influenced your career path? Are there particular people who inspire the way you show up in your work?
I have been fortunate to have several mentors who have impacted my personal and professional journey. These individuals are educators like Dr. Tim Raynor or professionals like Bill Manning, who is also a UB alum. Both of these individuals have taught me different things, which have allowed me to experience my life and career in different ways, and I am grateful for the guidance and structure. Without them, I wouldn’t have understood the value of hard work and the importance of being indefatigable in your pursuit of success.
In what ways does your experience in the sports industry intersect with or inform your teaching and mentorship at UB?
Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to have had several experiences in different industries, and I aim to use these experiences in the classroom. I know what students are going to experience, and it is my job to give them the blueprint to succeed. This is why my teaching philosophy emphasizes active learning and real-world application. I strive to engage students through case studies, interactive projects, industry partnerships, and guest speakers. My primary goal is to provide a holistic educational approach that puts students first and ensures they have the tools necessary to excel in the classroom and throughout life.
What advice would you give current UB students or recent graduates who want to build a career in sports, education, or community relations?
I would offer three pieces of advice that I got from Andre Deshields. First, always surround yourself with people who believe in your big dreams. Two, moving slowly is the fastest way to get to where you need to be. Lastly, the top of every mountain is the bottom of the next, so keep climbing. You must be happy but unsatisfied, and never stop until the work is complete. You can do it if you stay the course; I promise you will achieve everything you could ever hope for and more.
When you think about the future, what kind of impact do you hope your career will continue to have on the communities and individuals you serve?
At the end of my career, I want to be remembered as someone who touched every community he could by providing them access to education, health and wellness, and workforce development opportunities that they would not normally have had. Specifically supporting communities of color, low-income families, and those who have been historically marginalized. I was always taught that to make the world a better place, you must perform one random act of kindness at a time and care about others more than yourself. I’ve been able to use the game I love to do just that, and that’s what I’d like to be remembered for.
Dr. Murray brings that same energy into every space he walks into — opening doors and creating opportunity — leaving people better than he found them. Finding mentors who believed in his potential and a university that helped him find his purpose, he now passes that belief on to the next generation of sports professionals. If you have big dreams but are unsure of your path, his story is a reminder that with persistence, support, and a sense of purpose, it’s possible to turn your love for the game into a lasting impact.
