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Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 2022
- Class:
- 1977
In 1974, 1975, and 1976, the Brown men’s rugby program reached new heights, winning the Ivy League tournament three consecutive times. One of the prime reasons for this period of dominance was the emergence of Murray Danforth ’77, as a star fullback and fly halfback for the Bruins. In the spring of 1976, he scored 28 of the team’s 67 points in the three-match Ivy Tournament. He had been away from campus in the fall of 1975 when the team garnered a 5-2-1 record. In the spring season, the Brown ruggers went 14-1 for a stellar combined year record of 19-3-1, one of Brown’s most successful years. After the Ivy Tournament, Murray’s scoring spree was recognized by Sports Illustrated Magazine, which featured him in the Faces in The Crowd section. Murray was once described as “having a foot of pure gold who can execute drop kicks from 40 meters.”
In the fall of 1976, Murray was a tri-captain when Brown competed in a national tournament at LSU in New Orleans. Thanks to Murray’s play, the Bruins extended the eventual champion LSU to the limit, losing 22-12. In the same season, Danforth was chosen to represent New England on a team that played the British Barbarians, a world-famous side. An excellent student, Murray finished his graduation requirements early and did not compete in the spring of 1977. He did however continue his playing career in Boston, playing at the men’s club level for many years.
Murray has remained ever true to Brown men’s rugby and helped spearhead the creation of the Marvel Field rugby pitch, which was dedicated in honor of founding Father David Zocconi ’55.
Danforth was a key member of a Harvard Business School 7-A-Side Championship and was named to the 1976 New England All-Star team.
Murray remains involved with the team as an advisor. He is semi-retired after a career on Wall Street in NYC.
According to men’s rugby director Jay Fluck ’65, Murray Danforth was “that rare athlete who combined speed, foot and handling skills and great tactical sense.”
Murray and his wife Judith and their two daughters live in Providence.
