Athol Murray

Who was Athol Murray?

Monsignor Athol Murray, OC was a Canadian priest and educator.

Born in Toronto, Ontario, he was educated at Loyola College, St. Michael's College School, St. Hyacinthe College, and Université Laval.

He was ordained in 1918 and was sent to Regina in 1922. He started an athletic club for boys and was appointed St. Augustine's parish in Wilcox, Saskatchewan in 1927.

Murray founded Notre Dame of the Prairies in 1927, and was the inspirational force behind the famous Notre Dame Hounds hockey team. Known as Père, he would never refuse a deserving student an education - even if that meant tuition was paid in potatoes and wheat rather than dollars and cents. Leading the college until his death, he influenced generations of Canadians and the development of Canadian hockey. Said Père Murray, "I love God, Canada and hockey -- not always in that order."

The ice hockey team is known as the Notre Dame Hounds. More than 100 former Hounds have been drafted by National Hockey League including Wendel Clark, Curtis Joseph, Rod Brind'Amour, Brad Richards and Vincent Lecavalier. The Saskatchewan Hockey Association's Athol Murray Trophy is named in his honour.