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Notable Alumni: Pat Murphy ’83

Pat Murphy has had a long career in college athletics administration. Here is his current Bio at Binghamton University.

Pat Murphy comes to Binghamton University as a veteran athletic administrator with more than 30 years of experience in the field.

Murphy arrived in the Southern Tier after previously having worked at Marywood University in Scranton, Pa. In 2019, he was named as Director of Athletics and Recreation. Then in the spring of 2021, he was elevated to Executive Director of Athletics and served on the school’s Senior Leadership Team, the President’s Council and the Finance and Budget Committee. At the president’s request, he initiated a feasibility study and eventually established an Esports program and built a state-of-the-art Esports Center, which included an investment of more than $1 million.

In 2014, Murphy was named Tournament Manager & Assistant Tournament Director by the NCAA for the 2014 NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Frozen Four, which was held at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa. That same year, Murphy worked with the NY/NJ Super Bowl Host Committee, where his responsibilities were to coordinate a volunteer work force of 1,200 people to staff numerous events in conjunction with the running of the Super Bowl. In the summer of 2016, Murphy worked with the city of Bridgeport, Conn. and USA Basketball to bring an international doubleheader, featuring Team USA, Team Canada, France and Australia. The event served as a tune-up prior to the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Murphy also secured the bid to host the first and second rounds of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament for 2004, 2008 and 2012, the NCAA Women’s Basketball East Regional in 2006, 2016 and 2017, and the NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey East Regional in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2018. No site in the country has hosted more NCAA events than Bridgeport, Conn. Murphy has been responsible for the execution of these events serving as Tournament Director. While at DePaul University, he was the driving force in attaining the 2005 NCAA Men’s Basketball Chicago Regional.

In the fall of 1997, Murphy was hired at DePaul to oversee the business operations of the athletic department. Murphy broadened his previous fundraising experience at DePaul by running the University’s largest fundraising event for several years, the annual Golf Marathon Fundraiser. He then moved on to Fairfield University as the Senior Associate Director of Athletics for External and Business Affairs. Soon after, they added Director of Community and Corporate Affairs to his title. At Fairfield, while partnering with Nelligan Sports Marketing, Murphy was responsible for bringing in the largest corporate sponsorship deal in the history of the athletic department at $2.38 million.

Murphy began his athletic administration career in 1991 when he was named Director of Marketing and Development at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. During his tenure, Murphy developed the university’s first marketing and corporate sponsorship program. Following his employment at Maryland Eastern Shore, Murphy became the Assistant Director of Athletics at Iona College in New Rochelle, N.Y. While at Iona, he was responsible for the business operations of the athletic department, which included marketing, fundraising and ticket operations. He was then quickly promoted to the position of Associate Director of Athletics.

Murphy is a 1987 graduate of Marshall University. In 1989, he received his Master’s Degree in Sports Administration from Marshall.

https://binghamtonbearcats.com/staff-directory/pat-murphy/314

Website Hosting Go Fund Me

Raised so Far: $250
Goal: $240

UPDATE: The goal has been reached. The website is funded for 3 more years, until August 2028. Thanks to all the supporters.

It has been 3 years and time to renew hosting for this website. Just looking to raise some funds to offset about 2/3rds of the hosting cost, or $240. Small donations referred. More details in the link:

https://gofund.me/68ce8220

Notable Alumni: Peter Guelli

First things first, Peter did not graduate from Wayne Central. He attended Aquinas. But I see he was in the 1978 Wayne Middle School Echo as part of the Class of 1983. His Father, Frank Guelli, was well know in the Rochester area and lived in Walworth for 40 years. I assume Pete attended Freewill School before WMS as they lived at the corner of Rt 350 and Atlantic Ave .

He has had a career in professional sports management, but has been the Chief Operating Officer of the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres since March 2024.

Rather than repeat what can easily be read online, you can read his Bio here: https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/bills/bwqckkyrpllfnskqdj3i

Go Bills!

Mrs. Knowlton’s Model Car Contest

I went the Ontario Elementary School for K-1st, then 4th and 5th grades. It was 1965 – 1967 when I was in 4th and 5th grades. In those days, model cars were a popular pastime for young boys, and probably some girls as well. You could find model cars at the Western Auto or even Syron’s Pharmacy in the village. I had strted to build some models by fourth grade, as my brothers Tom and Alan were builders. I wasn’t that good at it yet.

Mrs. Knowlton was the librarian at OE at the time. At least in 1965-1967, she held a model car contest. Kids could bring in their models, and enter them into the contest. I’m sure there were a number of categories, I don’t recall what they were. As I mentioned, mine weren’t that great and I knew it. I may have entered more than 1, but the one I remember entering was a “custom” build. I used parts from various kits and even used some of the plastic parts trees that held parts together coming out of the mold.

I recall the anticipation of the day the winners were announced. They were all displayed among the library shelves, with the builders name and place/category of their entry on a small v-folded piece of paper just in front of it. I remember being impressed on the quality of the builds. Those 5th and 6th graders were much better skilled! Looking at them I was pretty sure I had no chance. But to my surprise, I saw my entry had won something. I’m not sure if it was first, second or honorable mention, but I was thrilled. I think the category was “most original”, which probably had fewer entries which helped my chances.

I don’t know how long this had been going on, or how long it lasted. After my 5th grade year, the 6th grade was moved to TCA Middle School, so it only lasted two years for me. But it was something I looked forward to and enjoyed. It was a nice event that allowed students to show their creative side. If anyone recalls these in earlier or later years, please comment!

By the time I was 13 or 14, I don’t think I built anymore model cars, at least for a while. When my children were young and we were homebound most of the time, I took up modeling again. I mostly built race cars. NASCAR being the dominant choice. In maybe a 10 year period, I built about 80. I still have them displayed in cases on my wall. I probably have another 20 still in unopened boxes in the basement. Maybe one day, I’ll get back to it.

Plastic modeling is still around, but mostly for adults now. People who were kids in the 50s-60s-70s. You can’t find them in the Ontario village anymore, but Dan’s Craft and Things, Performance Hobbies in the Webster Village, and Hobby Lobby has some as well.

Thanks Mrs. Knowlton!