The Nebraska Athletic Department announced a prominent hire Thursday.
Ben Murray, who has worked in recent years at West Virginia, takes over as NU's senior associate athletic director for development. In his new role, Murray will lead the Huskers Athletic Fund team, which serves as the fundraising arm for the Athletic Department.
According to an NU-issued news release, Murray is a proven leader in the college athletics fundraising industry and brings nearly two decades of experience to Nebraska. Murray comes to Nebraska after spending the past 11 years at West Virginia, including serving the past four years as a senior associate athletics director and the executive director of the Mountaineer Athletic Club.
Murray will begin his position at Nebraska on April 28.
“I am excited to have Ben Murray join our Nebraska family to lead our fundraising efforts,†Nebraska athletic director Bill Moos said in a prepared statement. “Throughout his career, Ben has shown the ability to lead and organize an athletic development office while also being able to build great relationships with donors and fans. I look forward to Ben getting settled in Lincoln and him being a key part of our team.â€
A native of Elkhart, Kansas, Murray will lead all fundraising efforts for Husker Athletics, including overseeing all annual giving, major gifts and premium seating initiatives. He will also oversee the Huskers Athletic Fund staff.
“Ben’s energy and passion for college athletics was evident throughout the interview process,†Nebraska senior deputy athletic director Garrett Klassy said. “Ben will be a great asset for Nebraska Athletics and be a key part of our team as we continue to strive to provide a first-rate experience for our student-athletes, donors and fans. Ben’s background in this part of the country makes him a great fit at Nebraska.â€
Murray first joined the West Virginia staff in 2010 as a major gifts officer before becoming an associate athletics director for major gifts and capital campaigns in 2012. Murray served in that capacity for five years, before being named senior associate AD and executive director of the Mountaineer Athletic Club in 2017. As executive director, Murray oversaw all aspects of fundraising for WVU Athletics as the department’s lead fundraiser.
Murray played a lead role in the Mountaineer Athletic Club, raising more than $127.5 million since 2017 for the betterment of West Virginia student-athletes. Individually, Murray secured more than 50 commitments yielding $41.1 million in new money from 2017. Murray developed, managed and led all fundraising efforts, including the $100 million Climbing Higher capital campaign that supported and renovated a number of athletic facilities, including WVU’s football team room, football practice facility, various team meeting and locker rooms, academic centers, suite renovations and weight rooms.
Photos: Our favorite staff images from the 2020 Nebraska football season
Illinois' Alec McEachern (46) and Nebraska's Niko Cooper (32) reach for a fumble on a kickoff return in the second quarter Nov. 21 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey (7) throws an interception under pressure from Illinois' Khalan Tolson (45) in the first quarter Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska safety Marquel Dismuke (9) and Cam Taylor-Britt (5) walk off the field after the Huskers' 41-23 loss to Illinois on Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey gets his helmet twisted around by Illinois' Roderick Perry (96) in the second half Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) is lifted up by teammate Bryce Benhart after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska coach Scott Frost leads the Huskers onto the field to take on Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska cornerback Dicaprio Bootle (7) celebrates his second-quarter interception with teammate Cam Taylor-Britt against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.Â
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Iowa's Terry Roberts (22) dives on a fumbled punt return by Nebraska's Cam Taylor-Britt (5) in the fourth quarter Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras gets off a third-quarter pass as Nebraska's Garrett Nelson (44) and Luke Reimer (28) pressure him Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Wan’Dale Robinson rushes against Iowa's Jack Campbell (31) in the second half Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez reaches for the high snap in the first quarter against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska coach Scott Frost leads the Huskers out to the field against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez throws under pressure from Iowa's Joe Evans (13) in the second quarter Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez and the Husker offensive line push toward the goal line on Martinez's 1-yard touchdown run against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska coach Scott Frost talks with his players during a first-half timeout against Iowa last November at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Penn State quarterback Will Levis (7) gets pressured by Nebraska's Ben Stille on a fourth-down play, throwing an incomplete pass to turn it over to the Huskers in the final moments of the game Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Luke McCaffrey (7) and Wan’Dale Robinson (1) celebrate after the Huskers' win over Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium. McCaffrey and Robinson each entered the transfer portal following the 2020 season.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska safety Deontai Williams (8) punches the ball from Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford last season. Williams has incorporated boxing into his preseason workouts to help increase his stamina in 2021.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska safety Deontai Williams (8) strips the ball from Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford before recovering the fumble and returning it for a touchdown in the second quarter Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Collin Miller (31) celebrates after Ben Stille (right) tackled Penn State quarterback Will Levis (left) to give the Huskers the ball on downs in the fourth quarter Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Ben Stille (95) and Ty Robinson walk off the field after the Huskers' 30-23 win over Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.Â
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska kicker Connor Culp sends a ball through the uprights for a fourth-quarter field goal against Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Will Honas (3) tackles Penn State's Pat Freiermuth (87) in the fourth quarter on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost instructs the team during a timeout on Nov. 14, 2020, against Penn State at Memorial Stadium.Â
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey (7) gets the snap from center Cameron Jurgens (51) as running back Ronald Thompkins (25) and Ethan Piper look to block against Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Cam Taylor-Britt (5) runs back a punt as he avoids the tackle of Penn State's Daequan Hardy in the first half Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska safety Deontai Williams (8) strips the ball from Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford in the second quarter Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium. Williams recovered the fumble and scored.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Noa Pola-Gates (facing) hugs senior Marquel Dismuke (9) after the Huskers' 24-17 loss to Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska senior Dicaprio Bootle (7) hugs fellow senior Marquel Dismuke (left) as JoJo Domann looks on after the Huskers' 24-17 loss to Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
A third-quarter pass from Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) is batted by Minnesota's Rashad Cheney on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Protected by the offensive line, Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) has the time to throw in the second quarter against Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Husker fan cutouts fill the North Stadium stands before the team takes on Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost leads the Huskers out onto a nearly empty stadium before taking on Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Cam Taylor-Britt (left) defends a pass intended for Penn State's Jahan Dotson in the fourth quarter on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Collin Miller (31) celebrates after Ben Stille (95) tackled Penn State quarterback Will Levis (7) on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska fan cutouts are a backdrop for the consecutive sellout sign on Saturday at Memorial Stadium during a Nov. 14, 2020, game against Penn State.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska safety Myles Farmer (left) is flagged for a facemask call against Illinois' Donny Navarro (86) in the third quarter Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
A worker waits to release balloons after the first Nebraska touchdown against Illinois on Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.Â
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska coach Scott Frost talks with junior quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) on the sideline in the third quarter against Illinois on Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
A security guard watches the field among snow-covered cardboard cutouts before a Nebraska-Minnesota football game on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska family members look for their seats before the Huskers host Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska tight end Austin Allen (second right) celebrates his second-quarter TD with teammates against Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska's Austin Allen celebrates his touchdown catch with Brenden Jaimes and Ethan Piper against Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska coach Scott Frost sends quarterback Adrian Martinez back into the game against Minnesota in the second quarter Dec. 12 at Memorial Stadium.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost greets Huskers captain Matt Farniok (71) during Senior Day festivities before the Minnesota game Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
The Nebraska football team is planning to open its April 17 practice to 4,000 fans.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo
Reach the writer at 402-473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com . On Twitter @HuskerExtraSip.
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