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 Dave Murray  

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Dave Murray   

Lots has been written about Dave Murray and his lifetime accomplishments and influences but not so much about his “inner Weasel”.  To start, the Murray family was one of the original families to join the Whistler Mountain Ski Club, the club that gave birth to the Weasels as we know them today.  Throughout his racing career, Dave raced, placed and won on courses prepared by Weasels (1978 Canadian Alpine Champion) and was always the guy to recognize the work behind the scenes.  Mind you, the tracks weren’t quite as smooth back in those days so the racers were working at least as hard as the Weasels every turn. 

When Dave retired in 1982 and became the Director of Skiing at Whistler Mountain, he was a big supporter of all Weasel activities, and a big fan of the beer tent as well.  As Chairman of the Molson World Downhill committee for the 1988 and 1989 races, he ensured that the Weasel lifestyle was supported and encouraged throughout.

Dave attended his last downhill at Whistler Mountain in February of 1989, and was in the finish area with his 2 month old baby girl Julia when Rob Boyd crossed the finish line in first place in his, and Murr’s, home town.  Jules was obviously inspired by that moment because, as a member of the Canadian National Skier Cross team, she is vying for a spot in the 2010 Olympics.

Dave always had the spirit of a Weasel and was tough right to the end, succumbing to cancer in October of 1990.  Once can only imagine how proud he would be of his Weasel pals for the work they put in to execute first class alpine events at the Olympics in Whistler.

I often wonder “what would Murr do?” when confronted with a tough situation and then realize that I (along with so many others) am a better person for having had him in my life when I did.. 

 The Murray Spirit  
Here are some of the things I learned from David Murray:

There is a difference between being smart and being wise.  There are a lot of smart people but very few wise ones.
Share everything.  Give your stuff away.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Don't make people wait.
Put things back where you found them.  Clean up your mess.
Life is full of failures.  If you want to be one, you can reach into your bag of excuses, pull one out and hang on to it for all you're worth.  Don't reach.
Know what you want.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you are sorry when you hurt somebody.
Live a balanced life.  Don't take your health for granted.
Hug your mother every day.  Hug your wife every day.
Love your kids.  Love other people's kids.
Live some and think some, play music and work every day some.
Exercise.  Take a nap in the afternoon if you can.
Be aware of wonder.  Be aware of time.
Look.  Everything you need is there somewhere.
Love sane living.
Don't preach.
No matter how old you are, when you go out into the world, it is better to hold hands and stick together.

Murr lived this quote to the fullest:

"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best, if he wins, knows the thrills of achievement and, if he fails, at least fails daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."

Say a prayer for Murr then get on with the race.  He would want it that way.