Rowing, leading, growing

Athletics have always been an important part of junior Maya Murray’s life, whether it’s playing soccer, basketball or track in high school or starting her mornings at UD before the sun comes up, paddling down the Great Miami River for rowing practice. To Murray, athletics are about more than playing a sport or winning a game; it’s a means to advocate, lead, connect and open doors to opportunity. 

“There's different struggles and challenges that come along with being an athlete, but I think being a Black athlete in predominantly white spaces has been an interesting experience, because it puts these additional pressures and invisible expectations on you,” said Murray.

While these challenges have been difficult to navigate, Murray said she sees them as an opportunity to grow in confidence and leadership, and to advocate for herself and others. 

“When I was growing up, there weren't a lot of other Black athletes in spaces that I was in,” she said. “I [get] to be someone who people can look to [and see] I went to college and I got to be an athlete, and if that's something I can do, you can too."

And Murray is doing just that. As the Student Athlete Advisory Committee’s diversity, equity and inclusion representative, she organizes events and creates spaces for athletes of all backgrounds and cultures to feel seen and represented on their teams. She’s also a member of Black Rowers Amplifying Inclusion and Diversity, a national organization in universities across the U.S. honoring Black women and girls in rowing, celebrating their accomplishments and advocating for their inclusion in the sport.

“There’s so many people who have come before me who haven't had those opportunities, or who have had to fight so hard for those things,” she said.

“My way of reflecting on their struggles and their work has been showing up in the spaces that I’m in as my true, authentic self.”

As rowing team captain, she said she leads through people-centered leadership, forging connections with her teammates by cultivating an environment where they feel seen, welcome and heard. She provides constant encouragement and shows up each day with consistency, hard work and a little humor. 

“It is such an honor reflecting back on this past year as a captain and getting to be in these leadership spaces, because it means you get to be a role model for people. And that's a really cool opportunity to share what you’ve learned with others and help them grow.”

On and off the water, Murray sets the example of what it means to be an athlete, leader and friend. She represents the best of those who came before her, and the best of UD.

“Lead with love, be kind to one another,” she said, “and be the support for someone else that you would want for yourself. That's the best thing you can do.”